“Fire & Water” Concert features Outstanding Young Musicians

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra takes their audience on a multi-cultural excursion during their “Fire & Water” concert on Feb. 9. Contrasting themes emphasize fiery passion and soothing aqueous melodies. The performance includes Smetana’s lush river journey “The Moldau” and Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony,” described as “…a sweet stream of melodies…so crystal-clear that you can see every pebble at the bottom.”

This concert continues the QSO’s long-established tradition of featuring the winners of the Martha McCrory Young Artist Competition: Halle Evans and Jordyn Evans. In its 65th year, the contest provides outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as a concert soloist, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Both the orchestra and soloists are under the baton of Music Director Bruce Briney.

Halle Evans, a senior at Macomb High School, will perform the first movement of “Oboe Concerto in C Major” by Joseph Haydn.

Jordyn Evans, a homeschooled junior from Center, Mo., will perform “Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor” by Jean-Baptiste Accolay.

The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra will join the QSO for a vibrant performance of the “Conga del Fuego Nuevo—Conga of the New Fire” by Arturo Marquez.  QAYO Conductor Dr. Rich Cangro will direct the joint orchestras for this colorful, fiery piece.

“Fire & Water” will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 at Quincy Junior High. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance at County Market, Quincy Hy-Vee, or from Sturhahn Jewelers. The cost is $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Thanks to support from the Tracy Family Foundation and the Joe & Jill Tracy Fund of the Community Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all QSO concerts, and are encouraged to attend.

The performance is made possible, in part, by Concert Sponsor Klingner & Associates, Media Sponsor Spectrum Reach, Music Sponsor Quincy Medical Group, Encore Symphony Volunteer Council and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The 2019-20 season sponsors are Blessing Health System and Knapheide Manufacturing Company.

QSOA will sell tickets for their annual fundraising raffle at the concert and appreciates support from the community. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12/$100, and are also available from any chorus, orchestra, Encore! or board member. The $1,000 grand prize drawing will be held at “Natural Wonders” Finale Concert on April 24. Other prizes include an Entertainment Package consisting of Cardinals vs. Cubs tickets at Busch Stadium, round trip airfare from Cape Air, and St. Louis Symphony Orchestra tickets.  Buy raffle tickets early to also be included in the March 7 Early Bird drawing for $250 cash. The winner need not be present. Sponsored by Homebank and Cape Air, the annual raffle supports the many programs of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, including the youth orchestra, youth choirs and free concerts for children. Visit www.qsoa.org or call QSOA at 217-222-2856 for more information.