The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association invites area musicians to participate in its 69th Concert Season. The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Chorus are comprised of musicians from throughout the region.
QUINCY SYMPHONY CHORUS
The Quincy Symphony Chorus is looking for additional singers to join the ensemble. The chorus meets from 7 to 9:15 p.m. Mondays beginning Aug. 29.
The chorus is a fun and talented group of musicians from all walks of life. Persons interested in singing with the Symphony Chorus should contact Chorus Conductor Dr. Phyllis Robertson at 217-228-2866 to set up a brief audition. Those who have sung with the chorus in the past are not required to re-audition, and are encouraged to call the QSOA office at 222-2856 for registration information. There is no fee to join. The Chorus will present a fall concert on Nov. 5 and a spring concert on March 4. They will join the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and the Quincy Area Youth Chorus on Dec. 3 for a Holiday Festival Family Concert.
QUINCY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Bruce Briney, rehearses from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. Tuesdays beginning in September. The orchestra will perform four full-orchestra programs throughout the season. Symphony concert dates are Oct. 9, Dec. 3, Feb. 12 and April 29. In addition, the QSO will perform children’s educational concerts in March.
Instrumental auditions will be held on Tuesday evening, Aug. 30. Call the symphony office to set up an audition time. The orchestra has immediate openings for 2nd Bassoon and Principal Bass. Applicants for these positions will perform a solo example of their choice, and orchestral excerpts. Contact the office for information on the excerpts.
Players are needed for all string sections, and additional brass, woodwind, and percussion players are needed for works with larger instrumentation requirements and for the substitute list. String bass players are especially needed. Musicians should prepare a short solo example of their choice that will display their musical strengths. To set up an audition time, please call the symphony office at 217-222-2856 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
QUINCY AREA YOUTH CHORUS
Singers in grades three through 12 are invited to audition for the 2016-17 Quincy Area Youth Chorus. Accepted singers will perform with the QAYC at two of their own concerts as well as join the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for their Holiday Festival Family Concert in December.
“It’s a rare opportunity for a young singer to be part of such a large choir, and, to have a chance to perform with a 70-piece orchestra,” said QAYC Conductor Paul Shelor. “It’s an amazing feeling singing with a live orchestra, especially one that size.” He notes that it’s almost equally rare for audiences to get to hear a combined orchestra and chorus of such substantial size.
Auditions for the QAYC will be held Thursday, Aug. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 333 S. 36th Street in Quincy. Auditioning children should prepare a song they enjoy singing. Please call the Quincy Symphony office, 217-222-2856, to sign up for an audition time.
QAYC includes girls and boys with unchanged voices, and consists of two performing groups: The Kinderchor for the younger singers is directed by Amy Fairchild and the Concert Choir for older members is directed by Shelor. Rehearsals are held either on Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons. Young singers from a 75-mile radius of Quincy will perform as an ensemble in concerts in October and April, and the combined performance with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in December.
Founded in 1995, QAYC is a performing and educational outreach program within the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association. QAYC supplements school and church choral training with focused preparation and performance of excellent treble chorus literature.
Youth Orchestra auditions will be held in October in a date to be announced. For more information on QSOA performing groups, or to set up an audition time, please call the symphony office at 217-222-2856 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. More information on the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Chorus, Youth Orchestra, and Youth Chorus may be found on the website, www.qsoa.org.
