Quincy Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Youth Chorus combine with three college choirs for Saturday concert

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Youth Chorus join with choirs from Quincy University, Culver-Stockton College and John Wood Community College to present the epic Carmina Burana at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Quincy Junior High School.

Soloists Alfonzo Cooper, tenor, Gina Galati, soprano, and Ricardo Herrera, baritone, accompany the ensemble to sing this homage to springtime and earthly pleasure. Music director Bruce Briney will lead more than 100 singers on stage, along with the symphony orchestra, in this concert.

Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata by Carl Orff. Often irreverent and satirical, the work is based on 24 poems from a medieval collection. The piece is famous for its opening and closing movement, “O Fortuna,” which has been used in countless films, video games and commercials.

“This will be a truly unforgettable performance! When you have the collective talent of so many musicians to perform a work on this scale, it’s a thrilling production,” Briney said in a press release.

The QSOA is committed to the creation of new music, and Briney’s tenure has seen the commission of more than 20 new works. This continues with the premiere of “Maracaibo” an overture composed by Venezuelan Victor Marquez-Barrios.

Maracaibo is the second largest city in Venezuela, and like so many other Latin American cities its size encompasses many charms mixed with drastic challenges. The city is located on the shores of the largest lake in South America, Lake Maracaibo, which has inspired countless poets and musicians for centuries and continues to do so today.

Marquez-Barrios was born and raised in this unique place. The composer holds an extended catalog of works for a variety of ensembles, mixed choir, electronics, concert band, and symphony orchestra. Since 2015, Marquez-Barrios has taught music theory and composition as part of the faculty at Truman State University, where he is also the founding director of “Uncommon Practice,” the University’s contemporary music ensemble.

Single ticket prices for Carmina Burana are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Support from the Community Foundation and the Tracy Family Foundation allows children 18 and under to be admitted free to all concerts. Tickets are available at HyVee, Sturhahn Jewelers and at qsoa.org.

The QSOA is highlighting a fellow non-profit, KidzPacks at this concert. Kidzpacks supply take-home food for 1,200 Quincy students every weekend. Concert attendees are asked to bring pre-packaged snacks or food to help Kidzpacks with its mission. Suggested items include instant oatmeal, cereal or granola bars, mac and cheese cups, cheese and crackers, fruit or pudding cups or applesauce.

The $1,000 grand prize drawing for the annual QSOA raffle will be held at the end of the concert intermission. Raffle proceeds support the orchestra, chorus, youth orchestra and youth chorus, as well as the annual in-school symphony concerts for thousands of children. The $1,000 grand prize, the second prize of a Symphony getaway package and the third prize of two QSOA season tickets will be awarded.

Raffle tickets are $10 each or 12 for $100 and may be purchased at the concert, in advance from any orchestra, chorus, Encore! or Symphony Board member, or by visiting the website at www.qsoa.org. The raffle is sponsored by HomeBank.

The concert sponsor is Mercantile Bank, the music sponsor is Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell and the media sponsor is WGEM.