The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, led by Music Director Dr. Bruce Briney, will welcome audiences to a new season of orchestral and chorus concerts beginning October 1. Legendary Tales, the organization’s 76th season, is designed to invigorate the senses and inspire the imagination!
Sun. Oct. 1, 2023 | 3 PM |QJHS | The Legend of the Northern Lights
The beautiful Northern Lights come alive in this collaboration with Dr. Jose Francisco Salgado’s Science & Symphony Films. The multimedia program features photography, narration, and video as the Quincy Symphony Orchestra performs the score. Continuing in the northern landscape, the QSO presents Finnish composer Jean Sebilius’ “Symphony No. 5” and Berlioz’s “Roman Carnival Overture,” which has been described as a “blazing explosion of color!”
Sat. Nov. 18, 2023 | 7:30 PM |QJHS | Secrets of the Rhine
The Symphony Orchestra highlights Principal Trumpet Aren Van Houzen in the complex and beautiful “Concerto for Trumpet” by Alexander Arutiunian. The QSO has performed three of Brahms’ four masterful symphonies during Briney’s tenure as music director. The group completes the cycle with the triumphant “Symphony No. 3.” The concert opens with the dashing overture from the mysterious tale of “Russlan and Ludmilla” by Mikhail Glinka.
Sat. Dec. 2, 2023 | 3 PM |Salem Church | Christmas Keepsakes
The Symphony Chorus, conducted by Dr. Phyllis Robertson, celebrates the holidays with treasured songs and sacred carols. The chorus is accompanied by harp, trumpet, oboe, organ, and piano to surround the audience with comfort and joy. Full of beautiful holiday music, including “Ceremony of Carols” and “Merry Christmas, Darling,” this presentation is sure to be a seasonal highlight. A food drive to benefit the Lutheran Church of St. John Food Pantry emphasizes the spirit of giving.
Sat. Feb. 10, 2024 | 3 PM |QJHS | The Music of John Williams
The symphony orchestra commemorates the cinema’s most prolific composer by performing music from legendary tales of Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Indiana Jones and others. The concert will also feature winners of the Young Artists Competition. In its 69th year, the competition is open to area 10th-12th grade musicians. A side-by-side performance of Williams’ “The Olympic Spirit” with the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra will lend extra vibrance to this event.
Sat. March 2, 2024 | 7:30 PM |Salem Church | Pop Music Legends
The spring choral pops concert is a fun evening with favorite hits made famous by legendary singers Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Elton John, and many others. Featuring a variety of genres, there is something for everyone at this event.
Fri. March 22, 2024 | 11:45 AM |QJHS | Young People’s Concerts
The Symphony Orchestra performs “Philharmonia Fantastique,” their 53rd Young Peoples in-school concerts. This concerto for orchestra and animated film follows a magical Sprite on a musical journey through the instruments of the orchestra. By the film’s end, the families of the orchestra overcome their differences to demonstrate “unity from diversity” in a spectacular finale. The 11:45 am performance is free and open to the public. Children love experiencing live music in a setting just for them, but the 45-minute performances are enjoyable for grown-ups too!
Sat. April 20, 2024 | 7:30 PM |QJHS | Carmina Burana
Immediately recognizable within the first notes, Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff. Often irreverent and satirical, the work is based on 24 poems from a medieval collection. The piece is famous for its opening and closing movement, “O Fortuna,” which has been used in many films and commercials. The QSOA is committed to the creation of new music and will debut a new overture they commissioned by Missouri composer Victor Márquez-Barrios.
QSOA season tickets include all concerts listed above and offer great savings over single ticket prices. Season tickets for adults are $70 and seniors 62 and older are $60. A special offer allows first-time season ticket holders to get two season tickets for the price of one. Single tickets will be available throughout the season at the door, or in advance from Quincy HyVee stores, Sturhahn Jewelers, and the QSOA website. Single ticket prices are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Thanks to support from the Community Foundation and the Tracy Family Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend.
The 2023-24 Season Sponsors 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.
