Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association offers three concerts in three days

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association will offer free concerts on March 25, 26 and 27 showcasing performances by the Symphony Orchestra, Quincy Area Youth Chorus and Quincy Area Youth Orchestra.

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with Quincy Public Schools, will present “The Thrill of the Orchestra,” its 51st annual Young People’s Concerts, at 11:45 a.m. March 25. Students from Illinois, Missouri and Iowa will be treated to this free event at Quincy Junior High School. Bruce Briney will direct this concert. The performance will last about 45 minutes. General seating will be in the auditorium’s rear. Patrons will need an ID for entry via the main entrance security checkpoint on 14th Street.

Russell Peck’s popular “The Thrill of the Orchestra” lives up to its title by colorfully illustrating the instruments and how they are played. The work, composed in 1985, features Steven Soebbing as the narrator who guides listeners throughout the music. 

Soebbing is the chair of the fine arts department at John Wood Community College. Students see how each instrument is played and learn how composers use instruments to create emotion, effect and rhythms. Peck takes the music apart and then puts it back together to show how and why the symphony orchestra is thrilling.

Admission is free in fulfillment of the QSOA’s mission to bring fine symphonic orchestral and choral music to the region while encouraging young people to foster an interest in live music. 

Support from Encore! Symphony Volunteer Council, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Gem City Kiwanis, Noon Kiwanis, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Quincy Society of Fine Arts—Arts Dollars, the Quincy Wal-Mart Superstore, Sam’s Club, the Stillwell Foundation and the Tracy Family Foundation makes the concerts possible. The Arthur O. & Lela B. Lindsay Fund, the Alan L. and Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Fund of the Community Foundation, Blessing Health System and the Knapheide Manufacturing Company provide additional support.

The Quincy Area Youth Chorus will take the stage for a spring concert at 6 p.m. March 26 at Trinity Church at the intersection of South 24th and Cherry Lane.

The concert features a variety of music performed by the Kinderchor and Concert Choir. The Kinderchor, consisting of singers in grades 3-6, is conducted by Amy Fairchild and accompanied by Denise Pearcy. The Concert Choir, with singers in grades 7-12, is conducted by Paul Shelor and accompanied by Mary Shelor.

The QAYC is celebrating its 25th anniversary season. Free-will donations will be collected at the door. A reception at the church will follow the performance.

The youth choruses will join the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on April 10 for a large-scale performance of Dvořák’s “Te Deum” at Quincy Junior High School’s Morrison Theater. Auditions for the youth choirs are held three times yearly. The next audition is May 21 for the 2022-23 season when singers will perform with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and adult chorus in a spectacular Christmas concert. Tuition is free for students with financial need thanks to the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund of the Community Foundation.

The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra presents its spring concert at 7 p.m. March 27 at the Kroc Center, 405 Vermont. Under the direction of Rich Cangro, the students will perform orchestral standards “Rhosymedre” (Prelude on a Welsh Hymn Tune) by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “The Promise of Spring” by Dennis Alexander and selections from “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein. The group also will play lesser-known pieces such as “Cuban Holiday” by Doug Phillips, “St. Lawrence Overture” by band composer Robert Washburn and energetic showpiece “Astúrias” by Isaac Albéniz.

Admission to the concert is free.

The orchestra consists of talented musicians from across the area. Members are selected for the orchestra based on auditions held in October. The students come together weekly for rehearsals. Their first performance was on Feb. 13 when they joined the Quincy Symphony Orchestra side-by-side for “Dances in the Canebrakes” by Florence Price.

The QAYC and QAYO are partially supported by the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Michelmann Foundation, the Tracy Family Foundation. They also receive grants from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund, the Alan L. & Mary Ellen Stiegemeier Charitable Fund, and the Arthur O. & Lela B. Lindsay Fund of the Community Foundation.

For more information on the programs of the QSOA or to audition, call 217-222-2856.