The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Bruce Briney, commemorates prolific film composer John Williams at their February 10 concert.
Williams has written music for more than 100 films, including some of the most recognizable songs in the movie industry. In addition to his film work, he has composed many orchestral works, anthems, and special occasion music. He was the conductor of the Boston Pops from 1980-1993 and has been nominated for over 50 Academy Awards (winning five) and 20 Grammy Awards. In 2004 he was awarded a Kennedy Center Honor and in 2009, the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given to an artist by the U.S. government, for his significant achievements in symphonic film music.
The QSO will perform William’s works from Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Indiana Jones, and others. This music is not only highly evocative of the films but also full of complexity and depth. A special performance of “Born on the Fourth of July” will feature Maestro Briney as trumpet soloist. Briney has master’s and doctorate degrees in performance. In addition to teaching, his career includes many ensembles, orchestras, and studio recordings.
This concert continues the QSO’s long-established tradition of featuring the winner of the Martha McCrory Young Artist Competition. In its 69th year, the competition provides outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as concert soloists, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. The 2024 Champion is Renee Blunier of Nauvoo.
Blunier is the daughter of Joe and Karen Blunier and a junior at Warsaw High School. She has been a member of the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra for four years, is a two-year member of the ILMEA All-State Orchestra, and is the winner of the 2023 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young Artist Competition with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Renee plans to major in Music Performance at Western Illinois University to fulfill her dreams of playing oboe forever.
Blunier will receive a cash prize and perform movements from Benedetto Marcello’s “Oboe Concerto in C Minor” with the QSO on Feb. 10.
A side-by-side performance of “The Olympic Spirit” with the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra will lend extra vibrancy to this event. Williams wrote this piece for NBC’s coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. QAYO Conductor Rich Cangro will direct the adult and youth musicians for this piece.
Single tickets are available in advance from Quincy HyVee, Sturhahn Jewelers, and at QSOA.org. Single ticket prices are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors 62+. 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. Audience members are welcome to dress in their favorite movie costumes.
The Concert Sponsor is Niemann Foods; Hugo & Maurine Magliocco are the Music Sponsors. The 2023-24 QSOA Season Sponsors are Blessing Hospital and The Knapheide Manufacturing Company.
