The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will feature two of the area’s most talented high school musicians in the “Symphonic Dances” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15 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 60th annual Young Artists Competition, are Elizabeth Briney and Olivia Lawler. 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 Briney, a student at Macomb Senior High School, will perform on flute the first movement of Carl Stamitz’s “Concerto in G, Opus 29.” Miss Lawler, a student at Quincy Senior High, will perform on violin Fritz Kreisler’s “Praeludium & Allegro.”
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 “Russian Sailor’s Dance” under the direction of QAYO Conductor Dr. Trent Hollinger. This piece from the opera “The Red Poppy” has all the fire and spirit of a great Russian classic!
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra performs “Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.” Leonard Bernstein’s vibrant instrumental combinations and huge variety of percussion instruments—plus the vocal talents of the orchestra members—enhance this energetic piece.
The final piece is the spectacular “Dance of the Polovtsian Maidens” from the opera “Prince Igor” by Alexander Borodin. This orchestral showpiece has a long history of performance, and is often sampled in TV shows, movies and video games.
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 $18 for adults and $15 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 tickets for $70) will be available at the concert, offering a 35% discount over adult single-admission prices. The performance is made possible in part by Music Sponsors Quincy Medical Group and Dene Lambkin Motors, Media Sponsor Charter Media, the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust, and by the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The Creative Legacy 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 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 the “Pines of Rome” Finale Concert on April 18. Buy tickets early to also be included in the Early Bird drawing for $250 cash on March 7. The winner need not be present. Raffle proceeds will support the many programs of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, including the youth orchestra, youth choirs and concerts for children. Visit www.qsoa.org or call QSOA at 222-2856 for more information.