April 10, 2024 – The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will present the Maryland and Delaware premiere of Peter Boyer’s “Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue” on Friday, May 3, at 7 PM at the Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, DE, Saturday, May 4, at 7 PM at the Performing Arts Center in Ocean City, MD. and Sunday, May 5, at 3 PM at the Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, MD.

The musical composition, commissioned by and featuring world-acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel, celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s quintessential “Rhapsody in Blue” and will be premiered until 2026 in each of the 50 states to honor the 250th birthday of the United States of America in 2026. “The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, the Delmarva Peninsula’s only professional orchestra, is incredibly honored to premiere the work for both the states of Maryland and Delaware” said MSO Board president Jeffrey Parker.

Michael Repper, the Orchestra’s music director, is teaming with Grammy-nominated composer Peter Boyer for the performance.

The work is cast similarly to Gershwin’s in a single multi-sectional movement that captures propulsive energy, along with allusions to blues influences and lyrical evocations of American vistas. The piano soloist, Jeffrey Biegel, has created a multi-faceted career as a pianist, recording artist, composer and arranger. His electrifying technique and mesmerizing touch have received critical acclaim and garnered praise worldwide.

The American theme of the concert will be continued with Aaron Copland’s classical composition “Appalachian Spring”. The much- loved piece was originally composed as a ballet score for choreographer Martha Graham. The music is imbued with Copland’s characteristic open harmonies, folk melodies, and rhythmic vitality, reflecting his intention to create a distinctly American sound.

The third piece in the concert honors our American Indians. ‘Chokfi”, the Chickasaw word for rabbit, is an important trickster legend within Southeast American Indian culture. It was composed by Jerod Tate, a Chickasaw classical composer, for the Oklahoma Youth Symphony. Different string and percussion techniques and colors represent the complicated and diabolical personality of this rabbit person, and incorporate a popular tribal church hymn as the melodic and musical base.

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, now in its 26th year, will end its 2023-2024 season with Woodwind & Strings ensemble concerts on Saturday, May 18, at 7 PM at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach, DE, and Sunday, May 19, at 4 PM at the Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD

WHEN and WHERE…

This concert will be performed at three venues on three days on the Delmarva Peninsula.

Friday, May 3 at 7:00 PM – Cape Henlopen High School, Lewes, DE

Saturday, May 4 at 7 PM – Performing Arts Center, Ocean City, MD

Sunday, May 5 at 3 PM- Todd Performing Arts Center, Wye Mills, MD

TICKETS

Individual tickets for this concert are $55 per person at each venue and are available at midatlanticsymphony.org. The site also has information on group purchases and free tickets for students 18 years and under.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the 2023-2024 season, or to order tickets, please visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org. Tickets may be ordered by telephone at 888-846-8600.

ABOUT THE MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is the only professional symphony orchestra serving southern Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore with a full season of programs. The MSO is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council; the Talbot County Arts Council; the Worcester County Arts Council; the Sussex County, DE Council; and the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc.

A complete schedule of the 2023-2024 season’s Masterworks and Ensembles programs, venues, times, and other information is available at www.midatlanticsymphony.org.

The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners recognized John E. Nickerson for his dedication and service spanning five decades. John E. Nickerson stands as an exemplar of commitment to the betterment of Queen Anne’s County and its residents.

Mr. Nickerson started his career as a Sanitarian I in Dorchester County on January 31, 1973, before transitioning to Queen Anne’s County in April 1974. Over the years, he demonstrated dedication, continuously advancing his role within county government.

Throughout his career, Mr. Nickerson served in various capacities, including as Environmental Health Assistant Director in 1985, and later as Environmental Health Director in 1987, following the retirement of the incumbent Director, James Morris. His commitment extended to vital roles such as Acting Health Officer and President of the Maryland Environmental Health Directors Association.

Additionally, Mr. Nickerson has served on the Queen Anne’s County Plumbing Board for an impressive 38 years and continuing his service on the Animal Control Commission. His advocacy and expertise were instrumental in shaping legislation, as evidenced by his testimonies before the Maryland legislature.

Notably, Mr. Nickerson’s efforts were pivotal in facilitating essential infrastructure projects, including the expansion of public sewer services to Bay City, Cloverfields, and Southern Kent Island, underscoring his impact on the county’s development.

In recognition of his dedication and contributions, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners express their gratitude to John E. Nickerson. His commitment to the land and citizens of Queen Anne’s County serves as an inspiration to all.

The 7th-grade students of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools were invited to participate in a once in a lifetime educational experience to learn about Maryland’s number one industry, agriculture. As our population continues to grow, agriculture is crucial for our survival; therefore, a coalition of agricultural educators, professionals and youth involved in 4-H and FFA joined together to host an educational experience for all 7th-grade students across our county.

This coalition hosted the 7th annual “Agriculture Awareness Day” on Tuesday April 9th, attended by Stevensville and Matapeake Middle schools . They were followed by Centreville and Sudlersville Middle schools on Wednesday, April 10th. The program utilizes the Next Generation Science Standards and Maryland Environmental Literacy Standards to educate students about agriculture. With the use of educational stations throughout the day, students are fully involved in activities covering the variety of industries within agriculture while being introduced to the career opportunities within.

Recognition for sponsors and volunteers:
Horizon Farm Credit
Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board
Maryland Soybean Board
Queen Anne’s County Board of Education
Queen Anne’s County Farm Bureau
Queen Anne’s Soil Conservation District
University of Maryland Extension
University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center
A Sure Bet Farm
Arnold Farms
Atlantic Tractor
Bright Star Farm
Choptank Electric
Catoctin Mountain Orchard
Delmarva Chicken Association
Edwin Remsberg Photographs
Farm to Market 4-H Club
Growmark FS
Higgs Highland Cattle
Hoober
Humble Hearts Catering & Events
King Show Lambs
Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Inc.
Maryland Dairy Princess Association
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Maryland Farm Bureau
Maryland Sea Grant
Maryland State FFA
Mike & Jill Cohey
Mountaire Farms
Nagel Crop Insurance
National Chicken Council
PepUp, Inc.
Pony Express 4-H Club
QACTV – Queen Anne’s County Television
Queen Anne’s County 4-Her’s
Queen Anne’s County 4-H All Stars
Queen Anne’s County Commissioners
Queen Anne’s County Economic Development
Queen Anne’s County Government
Queen Anne’s County High School FFA members
Queen Anne’s County Master Gardeners
Queenstown Lions Club
Shear Joy Acres
Sheubrooks Family Farms
Shore United Bank
Stony Knoll Farm
Sudlersville Ruritan
The Mill of Kingstown
Tidewater Seed
Tomahawk Farms
USDA Farm Service Agency
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Horn Point
Wheaton Show Pigs

This educational experience was held at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park during school hours. Local educators facilitated these stations and interacted with students to provide awareness on the diversity of agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula. Stations covered agriculture’s ever changing technology, food safety, pollinators, aquaculture, animal production, career opportunities and grains grown in the county and their uses.

Our team is here to serve the public and provide awareness, so we encourage anyone to contact our agriculture organizations for more information. Learn more about our team below.

Contributors:

Jenny Rhodes
Principal Agent, Agriculture & Food Systems, University of Maryland Extension, Queen Anne’s County
2024 Quote: “Educating the youth on agriculture and careers is a vital component of ensuring the long-term viability of the agriculture industry. With Agriculture Awareness Day, our goal is to expose the 7th graders in Queen Anne’s County to many facets of agriculture and the potential career options available to them. This year we added an interactive career fair, which was well utilized by the students. The University of Maryland Extension educators from throughout Maryland came together to support this program and initiative. It’s wonderful to see our community come together for a common goal!”

Jenell Eck McHenry,
Programs and Public Relations Director, Thompson Ag Consulting (Maryland Grain Producers)
2024 Quote: “Celebrating our seventh Agriculture Awareness Day is a huge milestone! We are honored that others are interested in replicating our event to reach more students. For others with a goal in mind, keep your head up and find the right support group and before you know it you are celebrating your 7th anniversary. Thank you to every person that has made each event a huge success!”

Jessica Clarke, Crop Insurance Agent, Horizon Farm Credit

2024 Quote: “The Agriculture Awareness Day is an event that really connects our kids in the county with our strong agriculture community. They see so much agriculture around them every day in Queen Anne’s County and it is exciting to be able to have this event to connect them to that diverse agriculture right in their backyards. The agriculture industry has shaped me into the person I am today, which is why I enjoy being able to give back and advocate for the industry. With hopes to spark students’ interest in future college or career pathways in agriculture. It amazes me at the 80 plus volunteers we get each day from throughout the community that are willing to do the same. This event wouldn’t be possible without all of them!”

Michael Page
QACPS
Supervisor of Instruction
Environmental Literacy / Health / Physical Education / Science

2024 Quote: “This has been another outstanding Agricultural Awareness Day. The Maryland Extension office and the Queen Anne’s County farm community continue to provide an engaging and exciting day for our students!”

Dr. Patty Saelens
QACPS
Superintendent of Schools

2024 Quote: “We are so thankful for the incredible partnership with the University of Maryland Extension. Without this partnership, this incredible program would not be possible. It is so appreciated that each year time is spent to assess each activity and refine each station. This year, the addition of the Career Fair was a huge hit! The experiences students engaged in were invaluable.”

Last month, high school students from Kent, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Dorchester counties gathered at Chesapeake College for ShoreRivers’ third annual Upper Shore Youth Environmental Action Summit. This was the organization’s largest Summit yet, with 150 students and 14 teachers in attendance from eight different schools. 

This annual Summit aims to empower future leaders of the environmental movement to take action today. One attendee remarked that “[the Summit] showed me how possible it is, even for people my age, to take action in my community. I felt inspired when I left.” ShoreRivers’ work to protect Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education is only strengthened when youth voices are uplifted and students know that they don’t have to wait to get involved on behalf of their local waterways. 

The day’s events included a networking breakfast, a keynote address, workshop sessions, and a closing celebration. Since its start, ShoreRivers’ Summit has been by students for students. As in past years, a group of student leaders worked with ShoreRivers staff to plan the event. A new partnership with Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) brought an additional focus on green careers to the day. 

The networking breakfast featured special guest Paul Monteiro, Secretary of the Department of Civic and Service Innovation, who offered students the opportunity to learn about Maryland’s new Service Year Option. Also in attendance were 15 organizations offering job, internship, volunteer, and education opportunities. Students then heard from keynote speaker Angela Crenshaw, Director of the Maryland Park Service, who spoke about her environmental action journey, her career path, and how she approaches her work with gratitude. The afternoon workshop sessions included 10 distinct options that discussed a wide array of topics from trees to lobbying to water quality. 

ShoreRivers is grateful for this year’s Summit sponsors: Dockray Charitable Foundation, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Campbell Foundation, IKEA, Chesapeake College, the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund, Phillips Wharf Environmental Center, Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Abel Family, Refill Goodness, the Maryland Park Service, Chesapeake Watershed Semester at the Gunston School, the Youth Climate Institute, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Minneapolis, MN— Rain Diederichs, a senior at Kent Island High School (KIHS), has been honored with the 2024 National Rising Star Award by the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Presented at the NAEA 2024 National Convention in Minneapolis, this prestigious award recognizes outstanding student excellence and service within National Art Honor Society (NAHS) chapters nationwide.

NAEA President Wanda B. Knight states, “This award is given to recognize excellence in student accomplishment and service by a high school student in a National Art Honor Society chapter.”

While attending the convention, Rain had the opportunity to participate in national workshops with other NAHS students and renowned artists, including Lynda Barry from the University of Arkansas School of Art, who served as the convention’s opening keynote, and Alice Mizrachi, a New York-based interdisciplinary artist and educator known for her work in painting, murals, and installation art.

Additionally, Rain will receive a 4-year complimentary NAEA student membership and a 1-year professional membership upon entering the arts education field.

Michael Bell, Fine Arts Supervisor, emphasized the significance of Rain’s achievement, noting her hard work and dedication. He praised Rain and her art teacher, QACPS 2023 Teacher of the Year Andrea Schulte, for making history as the first student artist in QACPS to win this prestigious award.

Nominated by Mrs. Schulte, Rain is under the mentorship of a seasoned advocate for success. Mrs. Schulte joined Mr. Bell in Minneapolis to celebrate Rain’s achievement, highlighting Rain’s unwavering commitment to her craft and her constant pursuit of growth opportunities.

In a statement to the NAEA, Rain reflected on the profound impact of art in her life, expressing her passion for the arts and her aspirations to pursue art as a career. She credited her high school art teachers for inspiring and supporting her journey, and she expressed gratitude for the opportunities she’s had as President of the KIHS National Art Honor Society.

The Rising Star Award is the highest honor presented to a student artist by the NAEA nationally.

View the NAEA Rising Star Awards Ceremony and Highlights from Rain Diederichs participating in national workshops at: https://youtu.be/ciqOsDOAeaI?si=t9COzs_-lmOBEVum

Also, tune in for an exclusive ArtScene | the Podcast episode on April 15th with Rain Diederichs and Andrea Schulte, recorded live in Minneapolis just following the national awards ceremony at https://anchor.fm/artscene and on Spotify.

Chesapeake Music’s 39th annual Chamber Music Festival will present six extraordinary concerts, June 7th through June 15th, at the historic Ebenezer Theater, 17 South Washington Street in Easton, Maryland. Built around the theme of “Festival Firsts,” the program will delight string, wind, and piano music lovers alike and will feature an inaugural performance by the winners of the 2024 Chesapeake Music International Chamber Music Competition Lerman Gold Prize. The famous Aizuri Quartet will headline the Festival’s first week, performing Franz Schubert’s late masterwork, the “Death and the Maiden” string quartet, and Richard Strauss’ beautiful string sextet from Capriccio, among other works. Returning Festival favorite performers will include cellist Marcy Rosen, violinist/violists Catherine Cho, Daniel and Todd Phillips, pianists Ieva Jokubaviciute and Robert MacDonald, flutist Tara Helen O’Connor, and clarinetist J. Lawrie Bloom.

Also programmed for the Festival’s first week are two additional late masterworks by Schubert: his Piano Trio in B-flat Major, performed by MacDonald, Cho, and Rosen, and his highly personal and moving Piano Fantasia for Four-Hands in F Minor with MacDonald and Jokubaviciute at the new Steinway grand piano. Catherine Cho and Todd Phillips will perform Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s brilliant Duo for Violin and Viola No. 1 in G Major, and the week will conclude with Ernst von Dohnányi’s passionate Piano Quintet in C Minor with Jokubaviciute, Todd Phillips, Cho, violist Brian Hong, and Rosen. Works by two important female composers, Clara Schumann, and Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel, will also be featured, and the Aizuri Quartet will introduce the Festival audience to the work of a contemporary female composer, Reena Esmail, in their performance of her Zeher (Poison).

The second week will introduce several Festival newcomers, including the Competition winners and violinist Max Tan, cellist Sterling Elliott, and pianists Sahun Sam Hong and Elliot Wuu. Chesapeake Music audiences will remember Rising Stars Sterling Elliott and Elliot Wuu from a sold-out 2022 Interlude concert, and together they will perform Claude Debussy’s ever popular Rêverie arranged for cello and piano as well as perform in larger ensemble works. Hong, Tan, and Elliott have programmed Johannes Brahms’ beautiful and majestic Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major, and Wuu and Tan will join Daniel Phillips and the Artistic Directors, Catherine Cho and Marcy Rosen, to close the Festival with Edward Elgar’s late masterpiece, the Piano Quintet in A Minor.

Several “Festival Firsts” are also programmed for the second week, including Joseph Haydn’s Symphony “London” arranged for Flute, String Quartet and Piano, Pietro Bottesini’s Andante and Variations for Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet, Luigi Boccherini’s String Quintet in A Major (Op. 29, No. 4), Kenji Bunch’s Vesper Flight for Flute and Piano, Arthur Foote’s A Night Piece and Scherzo for Flute and String Quartet, and Emil Hartmann’s Serenade for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano. Vesper Flight was commissioned by and dedicated to Tara Helen O’Connor, who will perform the work with Elliot Wuu.

For complete program listings and to purchase tickets, go to chesapeakemusic.org.

Sponsors of this year’s Festival include the Maryland State Arts Council, Paul and Joanne Prager, and private benefactors.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, observes National Donate Life Month in April, honoring organ donors and bringing awareness to saving or enhancing lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.

Activities were kicked-off on April 4 at the annual Donate Life flag-raising ceremony at the entrance of University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. After a prayer offered by the Rev. George Wheatley Sr., Pastor at Jubilee Christian Fellowship Church in Cambridge, Md., LuAnn Brady, UM SRH Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, discussed the meaning of organ donation and expressed gratitude to patients and families who have given the gift of life.
“These most sacred gifts change lives,” Brady said. “In Maryland, there are more than 2,000 people currently on the national transplant waiting list. One organ donor can save up to eight people and one tissue donor can heal the lives of up to 75 people.”
Karen Kennedy, Infinite Legacy’s Vice President of External Affairs and Education, expressed gratitude to donor families and to UM SRH, after which John Burke, father of an organ donor, shared his story of loss and hope when his son saved lives as an organ donor.
In partnership with Infinite Legacy, a non-profit organization that facilitates donation in area hospitals, UM SRH facilitated one organ donor in 2023, who donated six organs to five recipients, as well as 26 tissue donations, improving the lives of up to 2,000 patients. During the past 30 years, UM SRH has facilitated over 40 organ donations and over 150 tissue donations.
“Thanks to the generosity of donors and their families, and the dedication of health care and transplant professionals, thousands of lives are saved through organ and tissue donation,” said Chris Wright, Hospital Donation Coordinator, Infinite Legacy. “Our donor families are comforted in knowing that, even in death, their loved one is helping others.”
“At Shore Regional Health, we are committed to caring for patients from birth to death, and also for those who make the renewal of life possible for others,” said Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM SRH. “We support and stand behind the families and loved ones of these patients who have selflessly donated life so that others may have a second chance at it.”
To register as an organ donor, visit a Maryland Vehicle Administration office or visit Infinite Legacy at infinitelegacy.org.

Talbot County Department of Social Services recently held an in-person training for resource parents on car seat safety and infant massage. The training was provided by Rachael Crawford, RN, Maternal Child Health at the Talbot County Health Department, and Stephanie Blades, RN, Clinical Educator in Women and Children’s Health at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health. The training was part of ongoing training for resource parents throughout the year which has included trainings on protecting children online, being a nurturing parent, discipline training through the Child Welfare Academy, and administering Narcan and EpiPens. Child care is provided to the resource parents during the training and a dinner is provided.

“These trainings are so important to keeping our parents up-to-date on the latest trends in children’s health and safety issues and also provide a special opportunity for parents to get together and share ideas and socialize,” comments Chrissy Montague, Coordinator, Option Respite & Parent Education for the Talbot County Department of Social Services.

Rachael Crawford spoke on car seat safety and brought a car seat and a doll to show parents specifics on how to keep children safe in a car seat. Stephanie Blades spoke on infant massage and demonstrated massage techniques that can be used to help calm a baby.

Talbot County continues to need more foster parents to help meet the needs of children of all ages, most recently including infants and school-aged children. The agency also gets requests from time to time for sibling groups and older teens who are soon aging out of foster care and need guidance in transitioning into adulthood. For further information on becoming a foster parent, call the Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371 or visit midshoreresourceparents.com.