The final concert celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the dedication of Trinity's Casavant pipe organ is Reformation Sunday, October 26, at 3:00pm.

Dr. Brett Wolgast, Cantor and Organist at First Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids, and College Organist and Assistant Professor of Music at Coe College is presenting a remarkable program elaborating hymn melodies used at the time of the Protestant Reformation.  The program features compositions from different ages which compare and contrast various hymn tunes. 

The program? and series of three recitals? will draw to a close with J.S. Bach's great Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541.


This unique concert mixing history, instrument, and song is one not to be missed.

A reception follows the program in Trinity Church's Founder's Hall. There is no admission charge, and the public is invited.  Trinity Lutheran Church is at 1330 13th Street, Moline, Illinois.  More information is also available at www.tlcmoline.org

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The Big Band sound of the renowned Tommy Dorsey Orchestra (TDO) will be heard in DeWitt Wednesday, Nov. 5, at the Central Performing Arts Center (CPAC) located at the high school in DeWitt, Iowa.

Recognized as one of the best all-around dance bands, the orchestra will feature Iowa native Terry Meyers for a 7:30 p.m. concert.

During the Big Band era, Tommy Dorsey was known as the "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing." His band could swing with the best of them, and no other group could come close when it came to playing ballads. Frank Sinatra 's career blossomed with the Dorsey orchestra years ago, and his vocals helped the band become more successful than ever. Sinatra admitted listening to Dorsey helped him develop his phrasing and breathing along with his musical taste and knowledge.

The music world lost Dorsey at an early age, but his musical legacy has transcended time. The TDO repertoire continues to entertain audiences of all ages throughout the world with such familiar tunes as "I'll Never Smile Again," "Hawaiian War Chant," "Night Train," "Blue Skies," "Once in a While and "Pennies From Heaven," to name a few.

Myers, known as one of the best reed players in the country today, was a band leader at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center and also led the band at Rosie O'Grady's in downtown Orlando. Myers was one of the original members of Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band in 1990. Buddy Morrow, former leader of the TDO, says, "His versatility and expertise on the clarinet and saxophone are a treat to the ears."

In conjunction with this concert, the CPAC will hold a live auction during intermission for a one-week stay at Grand Crowne Resort ($1,200 value) in Branson, Mo.

Advance tickets are available at DeWitt City Hall, 510 Ninth St. or online atwww.midwestix.com. Prices are $25 for adults; $22 for 60 Plus; and $10 for students K-12.

Tickets also will be available at the door: $28 for adults; $25 for 60 Plus; and $10 for students.

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - The Signature Series of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) presents small ensembles composed of visiting artists and select orchestra members. The first Signature Series performance in the QCSO's 100th Season will be "A Star Returns," featuring violinist David Bowlin, a native of the Quad-Cities whose performances have received rave reviews nationwide. He will share the stage with Benjamin Loeb, who, in addition to being QCSO Executive Director, is also a highly accomplished concert pianist. 

"A Star Returns" will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, October 19, at Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall, 3520 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL. These performances are rebroadcast on WVIK, 90.3 FM, on the following Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. The Signature Series is a collaboration between the QCSO, WVIK, and Augustana College. 

Under the artistic direction of Concertmaster Naha Greenholtz, "A Star Returns" will showcase the music of composers Edvard Grieg, Jan Ladislav Dussek, and Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as a world premiere composition, "Five Pieces for Violin and Piano," by Quad-Cities composer Jacob Bancks. 

"With Masterworks I, you saw the Quad City Symphony Orchestra at its biggest and most spectacular," said Mark Russell Smith, Music Director and Conductor for the QCSO. "With the Signature Series, you can now experience it in an up-close and personal way. Chamber music is an equally enriching and enjoyable cultural experience that is part of our diverse array of offerings."

"Ben Loeb is not only our Executive Director, but also a world-class pianist who has collaborated with some of the most respected chamber musicians in America," said Greenholtz. "David Bowlin, who was a star grad student when I was just a freshman at Juilliard, is one of the finest violinists and teachers of our generation. Plus, he grew up in the Quad-Cities so he is very much a part of our musical family here in town. It will be a real treat for our patrons to hear these two wonderful artists."

About Bowlin and Loeb

A native of the Quad-Cities, violinist David Bowlin has performed recitals and concertos across the United States. "David Bowlin is originally from Moline," Loeb said. "He started his musical career in our area and has gone on to national prominence. He is our star who has returned."

At age 36, Bowlin has already been a professional violinist for 18 years - half of his life. He first heard violin music in church at age 4, and started lessons at age 6. In high school, he was a member of the Quad Cities Youth Symphony from his sophomore through senior years, and also a member of the QCSO in his junior and senior years. In college, he studied with famed violin and viola instructors Roland and Almita Vamos. His performances have received critical acclaim from the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and many more. 

In 2007, Bowlin joined the violin faculty of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, having previously taught at the Juilliard School. He is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), which tours in the United States and abroad. He has extensive recording credits with the Bridge, Naxos, New Focus, Arsis, and Mode labels. He is also the artistic director of Chamber Music Quad-Cities, an organization that brings chamber music performances to eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

"A big part of what I do is chamber music, and in that role, I am so honored to be a part of the 100th Season of the QCSO," Bowlin said. "It is such a remarkable group of exceptional quality. They have always been welcoming and supportive."

Benjamin Loeb, a native Texan, is an accomplished conductor, accompanist, soloist, arranger, educator, and administrator. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and started playing piano when he was 18 months old. Formal lessons began at age five. Over the years, his concerts have taken him around to world to major venues and on radio and TV in New York City, San Francisco, Dallas, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Berlin, Seoul, Shanghai, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Panama City, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and tours across America.  

Loeb has served as both the Executive Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and the Music Director of the 2011 New Hampshire Music Festival. He has also served as Director of Orchestras at the Music Institute of Chicago. He has done many recordings with the Naxos label, including collaborations with violinists and a solo recording of works by Scott Joplin. His next recording will be a volume of opera fantasies and transcriptions.

"My top priority is the ongoing success of the QCSO," Loeb said. "It is my goal to use my skills as a pianist and longtime member of the national music community to meet the needs of the Symphony and Quad-Cities community whenever possible."

Five Pieces for Violin and Piano

Originally from Fairmont, Minnesota, composer Jacob Bancks moved to the Quad-Cities three years ago and teaches Music Theory and Music Composition at Augustana College. "I love working with the composer who live in our area," Loeb said. "Jacob Bancks is committed to expanding the arts in our community. Previously, he composed 'Rock Island Line' for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and that work has really taken off."

Bancks wrote his first song at age five and his first professional commission while still in high school. His Signature Series premiere composition, "Five Pieces for Violin and Piano," is about 22 minutes long and is divided into five segments.

"The first segment, 'Tourist Trap,' has a flashy opening and invites people in," Bancks said. "'October' is a meditative, jazz-inspired piece. 'Skara, Skara Havre' is part of a Swedish saying which means, 'Cut, cut the oats, but who will come behind to bind them?' It was inspired by a tapestry in my wife's grandparent's home. 'Taxi Dancer' is a slow, moody piece, inspired by the concept of a taxi dancer. 'Here to Stay' is the big finale, inspired by George Gershwin." 

"It's wonderful that the QCSO, now in its 100th Season, has devoted so much time and resources to working with composers," Bancks said. "Any organization that hopes to be around for another hundred years should be as dedicated to the future as it is to the past." 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport, IA. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org. For more information on future offerings from QCSO, be sure to download the full 100th Season brochure at www.qcso.org/calendar.html.

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - This weekend, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra begins its 100th Season with Masterworks I: Into a New World, now starring celebrated American Master pianist André Watts. Watts has graciously agreed to take the stage in place of Garrick Ohlsson, who will not be able to perform due to health reasons.  

Masterworks I: Into a New World will be held 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 5 at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. QCSO Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith will lead the orchestra. In addition to the performance by Watts, the evening will include a world premiere composition by John Frantzen entitled "Beyond a Wild Dream," as well as Antonín Dvo?ák's New World Symphony.

"We choose the pieces for the first Masterworks performance of our 100th Season to be powerful, energetic and exhilarating," said Smith. "This will be a performance that audience members will remember for years to come." 

Watts comes to the QCSO fresh from his stunning performance at the Houston Symphony to perform Rachmaninoff's deeply romantic Piano Concerto No. 2. 

About André Watts and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

A much-honored artist who has played before royalty in Europe and heads of government worldwide, André Watts received a 2011 National Medal of Arts, given by the President of the United States to individuals who are deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions to the excellent, growth, support and availability of the arts.

In June 2006, he was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl of Fame to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his debut (with the Philadelphia Orchestra) and he is also the recipient of the 1988 Avery Fisher Prize. At age 26, Watts was the youngest person ever to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Yale University and he has since received numerous honors from highly respected schools, including the University of Pennsylvania, Brandeis University, the Juilliard School of Music and his Alma Mater, the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University.

Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 is a powerful, passionate work that music lovers will be sure to enjoy. Enduringly popular since its 1901 debut, the concerto's themes have found fame in such movies as Brief Encounter, The Seven Year Itch and the popular song, "All by Myself."

Frantzen's "Beyond a Wild Dream" - An Energetic World Premiere

According to QCSO Executive Director Benjamin Loeb, the 2014-2015 Masterworks series will present the world premieres of five compositions. Masterworks I: Into a New World will offer the first premiere: "Beyond a Wild Dream" by John Frantzen, who grew up in Maquoketa, Iowa. "We are proud to be able to present a colorful, energetic composition by Frantzen," said Loeb. "Creators of symphonic music can come from any part of the globe - and they can be local, too. In addition to Frantzen, we also work with composers who are instructors at Augustana College and St. Ambrose University." 

John Frantzen now lives in Los Angeles, where he writes music in all genres including concert, chamber, dance, sound installations and film. He has collaborated with artists from around the world, including a recent sound installation created for his sister Rose Frantzen's art exhibit at Davenport's Figge Museum. 

"In writing 'Beyond a Wild Dream' for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra," Frantzen said, "I did some research to see what it would have been like to attend the very first symphony performance in the Quad-Cities - or Tri-Cities, as it was called 100 years ago. That performance included passionate works by Tchaikovsky and Wagner, among others. At that time, it was a wild dream to start an orchestra in the Tri-Cities, but still, citizens felt the need to support the arts in the community, no matter how big or small. My composition pays homage to that noble spirit."

Frantzen's musical career began when he was a student in Maquoketa, playing trombone for the school bands. During those years, he placed second in a national song-writing competition. "I loved being part of the band," he said, "and realized I had a passion to create. That made me want to become a composer." He received a full scholarship to Arizona State University as a trombonist and later completed a masters in composition at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. This development led to the successful career he is having today.

Dvo?ák's "From the New World" - Inspired by a Trip to America

The final piece of the evening comes from composer Antonín Dvo?ák (1841-1904), a citizen of what is now the Czech Republic. He was noted for his skill in turning folk material into the language of 19th-century Romantic music. In 1892, he accepted the post of Director of the National Conservatory of Music in New York.

During his three years in the United States, Dvo?ák traveled as far west as Iowa. His trip to America proved to be inspiring and productive. It led him to create the piece that widely became regarded as his signature work: the four-movement Symphony No. 9 in E Minor "From the New World," also known as "The New World Symphony." 

"We chose the New World Symphony because it is one of the most beloved pieces in the QCSO repertoire," said Loeb. "It is a lively, colorful composition that has been very popular with our patrons in the past, and its great energy makes it a perfect companion for the other musical selections." 

Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport, IA. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org. For more information on future offerings from QCSO, be sure to download the full 100th Season brochure at www.qcso.org/calendar.html.