Sunday April 19, 2026 | 2:30 PM |QJHS | Triumph of the Spirit
As a powerful finale to its 77th season, the Quincy Symphony Orchestra invites you to experience an unforgettable afternoon of music and unity. Joined by the Symphony Chorus, Youth Chorus, and choirs from Quincy University, Culver-Stockton College, and John Wood Community College, Triumph of the Spirit promises to stir the soul at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at Quincy Junior High School.
The concert brings together the orchestra and more than 100 singers under the direction of Music Director Bruce Briney for Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein. Composed in 1965 for Chichester Cathedral, this vibrant three-movement work sets ancient Hebrew psalms to music of extraordinary rhythmic energy and lyrical beauty. Moving from joyful celebration to introspective reflection and ultimately to a radiant vision of peace and unity, Chichester Psalms remains one of the most uplifting works in the modern choral repertoire. Featured boy soprano Benedict Stratton is a fifth-grade student at Lincoln-Douglas Elementary in Quincy.
In powerful contrast, Symphony No. 5 by Dmitri Shostakovich delivers a gripping journey from tension to triumph. Written in 1937 during a period of intense political pressure in the Soviet Union, the symphony combines sweeping melodies, dramatic contrasts, and electrifying intensity. From its brooding opening to its blazing finale, the work offers an emotional portrait of struggle, resilience, and ultimate victory.
The orchestra will also present the premiere of Thrill Seeker, a newly commissioned overture by St. Louis composer Stephanie Berg. This high-energy work opens with bold, driving strings punctuated by brass and percussion before giving way to a lyrical French horn melody echoed by the flute. The excitement builds to a jubilant full-orchestra climax, ending in a bright and triumphant flourish. Berg will join Dr. Briney on stage for a pre-concert discussion of her work beginning at 2 p.m.
Together, these works promise an unforgettable afternoon of musical power and inspiration.
Single tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors (62+) and are available at Quincy Hy-Vee stores, Sturhahn Jewelers, and at www.qsoa.org. Thanks to support from the Tracy Family Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts.
The annual QSOA Raffle drawing will be held at intermission. The $1,000 Grand Prize, along with additional prizes including a Chicago Symphony getaway package, St. Louis and Illinois Symphony tickets, and two QSOA season tickets, will be awarded. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100 and may be purchased at the concert, or from orchestra, chorus, Encore, or board members. The raffle is sponsored by HomeBank.
The 2025-26 Season Sponsors are Quincy Recycle and The Knapheide Manufacturing Company. The Concert Sponsor is Mercantile Bank, Media Sponsor is WGEM-TV, and Music Sponsor is Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell LLP. Program notes and information are posted on the QSOA website, www.qsoa.org.
