The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, led by award-winning conductor Bruce Briney, is preparing to celebrate its 67th season. Creative Legacy, the 2014-2015 season of orchestral and chorus concerts, includes premiere performances along with well-known works that audiences love.
Brilliant Beethoven, an all-Beethoven concert opens the season on Sunday, Oct. 12. Guest pianist Leonora Suppan-Gehrich will join the orchestra in this celebration of the great Ludwig van Beethoven. Scheduled pieces include “Leonore Overture No. 3,” “Piano Concerto No. 4” and “Symphony No. 7 in A Major.”
Legacy of Song, the fall concert of the Symphony Chorus will honor Dr. Phyllis Robertson for her 25 years of service in conducting the chorus. This reflective concert includes a fun look back at the music performed at Robertson’s first concert with the group in 1989. In Robertson’s honor, the QSOA has commissioned a choral work by composer John Muehleisen to be premiered at the concert. Legacy of Song will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 in Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ.
The Holiday Spectacular Family Concert on Saturday, Dec. 6 will include Mannheim Steamroller’s beautiful “Stille Nacht” and “It’s Christmastime” an arrangement by Calvin Cluster which includes traditional holiday favorites. The Quincy Symphony Chorus and Quincy Area Youth Chorus will join the orchestra for the premiere of a new composition by James Stephenson. A special part of the concert will include the winner of Encore’s “Battle for the Baton” contest as guest conductor for Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” The audience will be invited to join in a sing-along of classic favorites of the season. This fabulous concert has become a Quincy tradition.
Symphonic Dances are featured at our concert on Sunday, Feb. 15. Leonard Bernstein’s “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” and Borodin’s “Prince Igor (Polovtsian Dances)” set the stage for a rousing performance. The concert will also feature winners of the Young Artists Competition. In its 60th year, the competition is open to area 10th-12th grade musicians. A side-by-side performance with the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra, conducted by Trent Hollinger, will add even more energy to this exciting event.
The Island Getaway choral concert will be held Saturday, March 7, in Salem Evangelical UCC. Music from the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands and even some reggae inject a tropical feel to this winter concert. Steel drums add authentic rhythm to the island music. This concert is always full of fun, toe-tapping music that audiences love.
The Amazing Symphony Orchestra will be the theme of the 44th Young Peoples concerts to be performed March 25 at Baldwin Intermediate School. The 11:30 a.m. performance is free and open to the public. These concerts give area third through sixth graders the opportunity to experience live symphonic music in a setting just for them, but the 45 minute performances are enjoyable for grown-ups too!
The season concludes with our gorgeous Pines of Rome concert on Saturday, April 18. The concert will open with University of Missouri graduate Stephanie Berg’s “Ravish and Mayhem.” Violinist Katie Wolfe will perform the beautiful and virtuosic “Scottish Fantasy” by Max Bruch. The performance concludes with Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1” and the electrifying “Pines of Rome.”
Season tickets offer a great savings over single ticket prices. Season tickets are available now, and include all of the concerts described above, plus the concerts of the Quincy Area Youth Chorus and the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra. The price of a season ticket is $70 for adults, and $60 for seniors. A special promotional offer allows first-time season ticket holders to get two season tickets for the price of one if the ticket order is received before October 12. Single tickets will be available throughout the season at the door, or in advance from Sturhahn Jewelers. Single ticket prices are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend.
Season sponsors for Creative Legacy are Blessing Hospital and The Knapheide Manufacturing Company. In-depth information, including program notes and soloist biographies, will be posted throughout the season on the QSOA website, www.qsoa.org and our Facebook page. Call 217-222-2856 for more details or a brochure.