The Emerald Isle Choral Concert

The Quincy Symphony Chorus celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with “The Emerald Isle” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 17 at The Kroc Center.  Irish dancers and Celtic instruments enhance the chorus performance of many Irish-themed pieces.

The chorus, led by Dr. Phyllis Robertson, showcases a variety of works, including “Three Irish Folksongs,” “Gaelic Blessing,” the jig “Irish Psalm” and many others. A highlight of the program will be the performance of the Letters from Ireland choral suite by Mark Brymer. The suite includes much-loved songs from 17th and 18th century native Ireland intermixed with actual letters and diary entries from the same period. Pieces will be accompanied by fiddle, flute, guitar, percussion, and Rob Ahrens playing the bodhrán Irish frame drum.

Special guests “Britches Full of Stitches” will delight the audience with their vocal harmonies and traditional instruments including harp, flute and mandolin. Britches Full of Stitches includes Steve Rees, Eric Steitz, and Tony Blackford.  Step dancers from the Clark Academy of Irish Dance will perform spirited hard shoe dances to round out this celebration of Irish musical traditions.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and free for children under 18, and are available in advance at Quincy HyVee, County Market and Sturhahn Jewelers and Canton County Market.  The performance is made possible in part by Concert Sponsor Gardner Denver and Milestones season sponsors The Knapheide Manufacturing Company and Blessing Health System.

Visit the www.qsoa.org or call 217-222-2856 for more information.