Quincy Symphony Orchestra to present ‘American Horizons’ Saturday in Morrison Theater

QUINCY — The Quincy Symphony Orchestra, directed by Bruce Briney, presents “American Horizons” at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12, in Quincy Junior High School’s Morrison Theater.

“American Horizons” is a salute to American composers, including regional composers Jeremy Beck, James Romig, Randall Faust and Aaron Copland.

Music by Copland includes selections from The Tender Land Suite accented with gorgeous photos from Quincy’s Toni Taylor/Tiger Imagery. The Tender Land tells the story of a Midwest farm family with “The Love Duet,” “Square Dance” and “The Promise of Living.” Photographer Toni Taylor captures Midwest life with an insightful eye. The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will merge Taylor’s regional art with Copland’s music to create a one-of-a-kind concert experience.

Selections from Copland’s “Rodeo” will be performed. “Rodeo” presents American folk-inspired melodies and rhythms, encapsulating the spirit of the American West. The most famous of these is “Hoe-Down.” Its use in the “Beef — It’s What’s for Dinner” advertising campaign makes this tune recognizable with an American flavor.

St. Louis Symphony Associate Principal Horn Thomas Jöstlein performs Faust’s “Concerto for Horn,” newly re-scored for horn and orchestra. Jöstlein has been a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra since 2010 and previously held positions with the New York Philharmonic, and the Honolulu, Kansas City, Omaha and Richmond symphonies.

He is thrilled to perform this concerto by Faust, his former teacher under the direction of Briney, his former Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra brass quintet coach.

Beck’s Majestic River was composed for the QSO’s 60th anniversary celebration in 2007. The music’s dual characteristics suggest imagery of the Mississippi River. Throughout there are numerous meter changes, giving a fluidity to the entire composition, recalling the Mississippi as it glides along.

The QSO today continues the commitment to the production of new music with the premiere of a new commission by Romig. “Resolve” embodies the musical technique of suspension and resolution where a momentary harmonic dissonance eventually gives way to a satisfying cohesion.

The QSOA’s season artist, Caroline Goldsmith, will exhibit and sell her work at the concert. Her “Big Bay (Wisconsin) Lagoon Vista” graces the QSOA’s season programs while “Golden Tunnel” was used for the season brochures.

Single tickets for American Horizons are $15 for seniors 62 and older and $18 for other adults. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance from Quincy HyVee stores, Sturhahn Jewelers and at QSOA.org. Thanks to support from the Tracy Family Foundation, children 18 and under are admitted free to all concerts and are encouraged to attend.

The concert sponsor is Mercantile Bank. O’Connor Financial Group is the guest artist sponsor. WGEM-TV is the media sponsor. Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu & Mitchell are music sponsors. All concerts of the 2024-25 season are sponsored by Quincy Recycle, The Knapheide Manufacturing Company, the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Tracy Family Foundation, the Marion Gardner Jackson Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., trustee and the Anonymous Fund of the Community Foundation.

Information is available at www.qsoa.org or by calling 217-222-2856.