Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Chorus to combine for holiday spectacular on Friday at QJHS

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Youth Chorus will join for a holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Quincy Junior High School. This family event includes a variety of songs and carols to set the holiday mood.

Orchestra selections are Mannheim Steamroller’s popular versions of “Deck the Halls” and “Silent Night,” James Stephenson’s “Holiday Overture” and Todd Goodman’s “Let’s Celebrate Christmas.”

The Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra for the “Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas,” where each successive day finds a new musical style. Beginning in Gregorian chant, the song progresses through “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy,” “Ride of the Valkyries” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The eclectic variety also includes “I Saw Three Ships Come Fiddling In,” a nod to an Irish jig featuring the River Strings.  Local music teacher Marci Keller lends her voice to “Hot Santa,” a jazzy, energetic Big Band-style number that imagines a lonely Mrs. Claus on Christmas Eve.

The youth chorus joins with “Must Be Santa” and Elgar’s evocative “Snow” accompanied by the orchestra.

The winner of Encore’s “Battle for the Baton” contest will lead the orchestra in Leroy Anderson’s spirited “Sleigh Ride.” Four local fans, Tina Moyer, Megan Peters, Todd Petitt and Bill Stalder are waging a fundraising competition for the right to conduct, and the public gets to vote for their choice.  Multiple votes are strongly encouraged at $10/a piece. Go to encorequincy.com to vote before Nov. 30.

The concert concludes with a traditional carol sing-along, inviting the audience to join the orchestra and choruses in holiday tidings.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., families and children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus before the concert for photos and a special gift (while supplies last).

To give back to our community, concert-goers are asked to bring non-perishable food to benefit Horizon’s local food pantry. 

Homebank, Blessing Health System, Stevenson Paxton Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and KHQA are the concert sponsors.

Single concert tickets are available at the door or can be bought in advance from Quincy HyVee stores, Sturhahn Jewelers and the QSOA website. Single ticket prices are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend.

The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, Quincy Recycle, Tracy Family Foundation, Community Foundation, Marion Gardner Jackson Trust and Illinois Arts Council provide support for all 77th season programs.