The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, and Youth Chorus will present HOLIDAY FESTIVAL FAMILY CONCERT at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 in the QJHS Morrison Theater, 14th & Maine streets. This combined Christmas concert is a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season!
QSO Music Director Bruce Briney will lead the orchestra in traditional and contemporary holiday pieces, many in fun medley formats. The performance includes James Stephenson’s “Holiday Overture,” Holcombe’s “Festive Sounds of Hanukah,” and selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.”
The Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus collaborate with the orchestra on Stephenson’s “Christmas at Home Medley,” “Holiday Favorites,” and other songs that highlight the joys of the season.
A special guest conductor, winner of Encore’s “Battle for the Baton” contest, will lead the orchestra in Leroy Anderson’s timeless version of “Sleigh Ride.” Five contestants are waging a friendly competition for the right to conduct the music during this concert. The public is invited to vote for the guest conductor at battleforthebaton.com.
The audience will have a chance to sing-along on favorite Christmas carols with the combined adult and youth choirs of 100 voices followed by the grand concert ending of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
Fun additions to this concert include a visit from Santa Claus, face painting and a souvenir take home gift for children plus a holiday photo booth. Adults who make a donation to the QSOA Endowment Fund will receive a coupon for a free bottle of wine from Wine on Broadway. Whether you’re hosting a family outing, or just giving yourself a seasonal treat, Holiday Festival is sure to be a highlight of the Christmas season!
In an effort to give back to our community, concert-goers are asked to bring non-perishable food to benefit The Crossing’s local food pantry.
Tickets are available in advance at Sturhahn Jewelers, Quincy Hy-Vee, at qsoa.org, or at the door at a cost of $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Children 18 and under are admitted free thanks to support from the Tracy Family Foundation.
Flexi-tickets, which include six single-admission tickets to be used in any combination throughout the season, will be for sale at the concert for $70, pre-packaged in a special envelope perfect for gift giving. One flexi-ticket provides admission for two people to attend QSOA concerts throughout the spring, making a lasting Christmas gift for music lovers on your list. Remaining concerts include the Shakespeare’s Vision orchestra concert, Songs of Our History choral pops concert and the Symphonie Fantastique orchestra finale.
Holiday Festival is sponsored in part by Guest Artist Sponsor Great River Aviation, Media Sponsor KHQA, Music Sponsor Quincy Recycle, Encore! Symphony Volunteer Council, the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This program was made possible by a grant from the Green-Humphrey Family Fund for Music, the Jayne & Leroy Boeckelman Fund for Young Musicians and the Alan L. Stiegemeier and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund through the Community Foundation. Special thanks are extended to our Season Sponsors: the Knapheide Manufacturing Company and Blessing Health System. More information on the Passions & Reveries season may be found at www.qsoa.org. Call 217-222-2856 for a brochure.
