Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association to hold auditions for orchestra, youth orchestra, chorus ensembles

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association invites area musicians to participate in its 77th concert season.

The QSOA is comprised of:

Quincy Symphony Chorus

The Quincy Symphony Chorus is a fun and talented group of musicians under the direction of Phyllis Robertson. It rehearses on Monday nights beginning in late August and will present concerts on Nov. 16 and March 15 and will join the Symphony Orchestra and Youth Chorus on Dec. 6 for a Christmas concert. The Symphony Chorus is a community ensemble with participants from various backgrounds and skill levels. Auditions will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, or by appointment. Interested singers should call the QSOA office for a time slot and prepare an audition song of their choice, such as a hymn, patriotic song or Christmas carol with music or from memory.

Quincy Symphony Orchestra

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra invites exceptional instrumentalists from the region to audition on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Under the direction of Bruce Briney, the orchestra will perform on Sept. 29, Dec. 6, Feb. 8 and April 12. The QSO will perform children’s educational concerts on March 21. The QSO rehearses from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The orchestra has immediate openings for principal bass and principal cello. Applicants for these positions will perform a solo of their choice and orchestral excerpts. Email qsoa@adams.net for details. Players are needed for all string sections and additional brass, woodwind and percussion players are needed for works with larger instrumentation and the substitute list. Musicians should prepare a short solo that displays their musical strengths.

Quincy Area Youth Orchestra

The Quincy Area Youth Orchestra, conducted by Richard Cangro, is accepting virtual auditions through Tuesday, Oct. 1. All new and returning members must audition. QAYO candidates must be in grades 7-12 and have at least three years of playing experience. Membership may be limited to maintain a proper balance of instruments in the orchestra. Students should prepare material found on the youth orchestra page of qsoa.org, along with a solo of their choice. The QAYO will join the adult orchestra for a side-by-side performance on Feb. 8 and present a concert on April 13. They rehearse weekly through April.

Quincy Area Youth Chorus

The Quincy Area Youth Chorus held auditions on Aug. 3. Late auditions may be possible by contacting the QSOA office by Aug. 18. Accepted singers will perform with the QAYC at fall and spring concerts as well as join the Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on Dec. 6 for a Christmas Concert. Another audition for the spring semester will be held Dec. 14. The QAYC includes boys with unchanged voices and girls in two performing groups: The Kinderchor for the younger singers is directed by Megan Masterman, and the Concert Choir for older members is directed by Paul Shelor. Rehearsals are held either on Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons.

To sign up for an audition time with the orchestra, chorus, youth chorus or youth orchestra, call the symphony office at 217-222-2856 Monday through Friday, or email qsoa@adams.net. More information on performing ensembles may be found at www.qsoa.org.