The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will feature three of the area’s most talented high school musi- cians in the “Nordic Treasures” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 at Quincy Junior High School. The QSO and the young artists are under the baton of Music Director Bruce Briney.
The soloists, winners of the 59th annual Young Artists Competition, are Alexis Li, Stephen Ja- vaux and Derek Froman. The purpose of the Young Artists competition is to provide outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as a concert soloist, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Such a performance can be a springboard for a young person to choose a lifelong commitment to the arts. Miss Li, a foreign exchange student at Quincy Notre Dame, will perform the first movement of Haydn’s “Piano Concerto in D major.” Mr. Javaux, a homeschooled senior, will per- form Popper’s “Hungarian Rhapsody.” Mr. Froman, a sophomore at Canton RV High School, will perform the first movement of Saint-Saens’ “Piano Concerto No. 2.”
In keeping with the young musician focus, the QSO will host the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra for the concert opener, sharing a side-by-side performance of two movements of Edvard Grieg’s “Lyric Suite” under the direction of QAYO Conductor Trent Hollinger. Those movements include “Gangar” (Norwegian Rustic March) and “Trolltog” (March of the Dwarfs).
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra is featured in the finale piece, “Symphony No. 5” by Jean Si- belius. The composer was commissioned by the Finnish government to write this symphony in hon- or of his own 50th birthday which had been designated a national holiday in 1915.
Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance from the Symphony office at 200 N. 8th, at Quincy Hy-Vee stores, or from Sturhahn Jewelers, 2801 Broadway. The cost is $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Thanks in part to support from the Tracy Family Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all QSO concerts, and are encouraged to attend.
Flexi-tickets (6 admissions for $60) will be available at the concert, offering a 30% discount over single-admission prices. The performance is made possible in part by Music Sponsor Quincy Medical Group, Media Sponsor Charter Media, the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust, and by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The Global Discoveries season sponsors are Blessing Health System and Knapheide Manufacturing Company.
QSOA will kick off its annual fundraising raffle at the concert and appreciates support from the community. Raffle tickets will be for sale at the concert for $10 each, and are also available from any chorus, orchestra, Encore! or board member. The $1,000 grand prize drawing will be held at the “QSO Legends” Concert on April 12. Buy tickets early to also be included in the Early Bird drawing for $250 cash on March 8! The winner need not be present. Raffle proceeds will support the many programs of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, including the Youth Orchestra, Youth Chorus, Concerts for children, Choral concerts, and Quincy Symphony Orchestra concerts. Visit the website www.qsoa.org or call the Symphony office at 222-2856 for more information.
