‘Courage and Spirit’ concert features outstanding young musicians Feb. 13 at Morrison Theater

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra commemorates Black History Month with its “Courage and Spirit” concert at 3 p.m. Feb. 13 in Quincy Junior High School’s Morrison Theater. 

The performance features Illinois composer James Stephenson’s “there are no words,” written in response to the Charleston, S.C., shooting on June 17, 2015, when a white supremacist murdered nine Black worshippers at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Stephenson constructed the piece by relying heavily on the number nine, representing each of the victims of the tragedy. He names them in the score – “Dedicated to Clementa, Sharonda, Myra, Tywanza, Ethel, Cynthia, Daniel, DePayne and Susie” – and constructs a short, tonal song from their names that provides important melodic material for the piece. He also uses a nine-note sequence throughout the piece and uses bell chimes for climactic effect.

The orchestra also presents Jennifer Higdon’s ‘blue cathedral,’ the most performed contemporary classical piece in the world with more than 650 performances. The composer says the piece is blue …like the sky. Where all possibilities soar. Cathedrals are a place of thought, growth, spiritual expression … serving as a symbolic doorway in to and out of this world.

The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra will join the QSO for an uplifting performance of “Dances in the Canebrakes” by Florence Price, arranged for orchestra by William Grant Still. Price is the first female African-American composer to gain national footing, and Still was the first nationally recognized African-American composer. Originally composed for piano, the dances emulate the old-style ballroom and theater traditions of rag, slow drag and cakewalk. QAYO conductor Rich Cangro will direct the joint orchestras for this piece. 

This concert continues the QSO’s long-established tradition of featuring the winners of the Martha McCrory Young Artist Competition — Preston Trinh with the violin and Ashlan Tullock with the xylophone. In its 67th year, the contest provides outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as concert soloists, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Both the orchestra and soloists are under the baton of music director Bruce Briney.

Trinh, a sophomore at Quincy Senior High School, will perform the first movement of “Symphonie Espagnole” by Édouard Lalo. Tullock, a junior at Central High School, will perform the third movement of “Concertino for Xylophone & Orchestra” by Toshiro Mayuzumi.

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

The performance is made possible, in part, by concert sponsor Royal Printing, music sponsor Quincy Medical Group, Encore Symphony Volunteer Council and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The 2021-22 season sponsors are Blessing Health System and Knapheide Manufacturing Company. 

QSOA will sell tickets for its annual raffle at the concert. Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100. They are available from any chorus, orchestra Encore! or board member. The $1,000 grand prize drawing will be held at the “Natural Wonders” finale concert on April 10. An early bird drawing on March 5 will be for $250 cash. The winner need not be present.

Sponsored by Homebank and Cape Air, the raffle supports the youth orchestra, youth choirs and free concerts for children. Visit www.qsoa.org or call QSOA at 217-222-2856 for more information.