Quincy Symphony Orchestra to present ‘Diamond Jubilee’ concert on Sunday

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Bruce Briney, begins its 75th anniversary season with a celebratory concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Quincy Junior High School’s Morrison Theater.

Concertmaster Kris Lowe is the featured soloist on Tomaso Vitali’s “Chaconne.” A chaconne is a musical form used for variation on a repeated harmonic progression over a ground bass. Vitali’s version is fiery and complex, showcasing the soloist’s range and depth. 

Lowe is marking her 30th year as concertmaster of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra. She received degrees from the University of Houston, Hannibal-LaGrange College and Western Illinois University. She received her Suzuki Violin certification from WIU under Mosche Neuman (Israel) and maintained a private studio for many years teaching Suzuki violin.

Lowe was a music teacher for the Quincy Public Schools and the Hannibal Public Schools, and she recently retired from teaching music in the Palmyra Public Schools. She has performed with the Peoria Symphony, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony and others. She is a former concertmaster of the Jacksonville Symphony.

The celebratory mood will continue with Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5.” This piece has popular and historic significance to the QSOA, having been programmed in each decade by all QSO conductors except founder George Irwin.

Artist Jennifer Bock-Nelson creates a big-screen visual accompaniment to the orchestra’s performance of Thom Ritter George’s “Song of the Harp.” This piece was commissioned by the QSOA in 2014 to honor charter musician Sarama Schnack. George is a former music director and conductor of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra.

Bock-Nelson’s artwork accents his music. Images from her extensive catalog of original works and transitions are determined by the artist throughout the live performance.

Bock-Nelson will participate in an on-stage discussion with Briney about the collaboration at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. For a more in-depth discussion on the work, the public is invited to an artist’s talk at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Quincy Art Center, 1515 Jersey.

QSOA season tickets include all concerts listed above and offer great savings over single ticket prices. The price of a season ticket is $70 for adults and $60 for seniors. A special promotion offers 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, County Market, 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. 

The Diamond Jubilee concert is sponsored by Gardner Denver. The Arthur and Lela Lindsay Family is the guest artist sponsor, and Winters LLP is the music sponsor. The 2022-23 season sponsors are Blessing Hospital and The Knapheide Manufacturing Company. Program notes and soloist biographies are available at www.qsoa.org. Call 217-222-2856 for more information.