Two guest soloists to join multiple choirs and Quincy Symphony Orchestra for season finale April 10

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will present “Natural Wonders” as the finale to its “Enduring Spirit” season at 3 p.m. April 10 in the QJHS Morrison Theater.

The orchestra, led by Bruce Briney, will perform Beethoven’s beautiful “Symphony No. 6.” This work is one of only two symphonies he deliberately named, preferring titles “Pastoral Symphony” or “Reflections of Country Life.” Beethoven declared the piece to be an expression of nature, reflecting his love for long walks in the countryside near Vienna.

The cantata “Te Deum” (We Praise Thee, O God) by Antonin Dvorak was commissioned by an American philanthropist in 1891. As a child Dvorak told his parents, “I pray best over there at the window, looking out at the greenery and the sky!” This faith and love of nature colored the music he wrote for “Te Deum.”

“Te Deum” was written for mixed chorus, orchestra and soloists. The uplifting and joyful music blends the voices in melodies and harmonies. The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Chorus will collaborate with choirs from Quincy University and John Wood Community College, creating a 130-voice choir to bring this piece to life. Chorus directors are Kristin Ramseyer (QU), Phyllis Robertson (QSC), Paul Shelor (QAYC) and Steven Soebbing (JWCC).

Soloists Penelope Shumate (soprano) and Ian Greenlaw (baritone) will join the mass choir.

Praised by The New York Times for singing with “bell-like clarity and surpassing sweetness,” and complimented by the New York Concert Review for “her sparkling coloratura perfection,” Shumate’s recent engagements include appearances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York, as well as her debut with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London for the CD recording “Messiah Refreshed” at historic Abbey Road Studios. 

Greenlaw has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Teatro alla Scala and many others. He has been a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and others.  The orchestra, choirs and soloists will join together for the triumphant final chorus of “Alleluja!”

To open the concert and nature theme, the orchestra will debut a newly commissioned overture by Randall Faust of Macomb. His creation, “The Wonder of the Waters,” is a soundtrack to an imaginary canoe trip from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota (the headwaters of the Mississippi River — called the “Father of Many Waters” by Native Americans) — down the river eventually arriving in Quincy. During this trip, the audience is led by Briney across rocky and challenging portages, through stormy and rough waters to the wider and smoother waters of the river.

The $1,000 grand prize drawing for the annual QSOA raffle will be held at the end of the intermission. Raffle proceeds support concerts of the orchestra, chorus, youth orchestra and youth chorus, as well as the annual in-school symphony concerts for thousands of children. The $1,000 grand prize, second prize of a symphony getaway package, and third prize of two QSOA season tickets will be awarded. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100. They may be bought at the concert, in advance from any orchestra, chorus, Encore! or Symphony Board member, or by visiting the website at www.qsoa.org. The raffle is sponsored by HomeBank and Cape Air.

Concert tickets will be available at the door or in advance from Sturhahn Jewelers, County Market or Hy-Vee. Tickets are $15 for seniors and $18 for other adults. Support from the Tracy Family Foundation and the Community Foundation enables children 18 and under to be admitted free to all QSO concerts.

The concert sponsor is Mercantile Bank. The music Sponsor is Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell. The media sponsor is WGEM. The Arthur & Lela Lindsay Family is the guest artist sponsor. All QSOA concerts are partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency and season sponsors Knapheide Manufacturing and Blessing Health System.