Season Finale full of fun and fanfare!
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra season has been at times light and at times full of import, but this weekend's season finale shows that they still have a few tricks up their sleeve. This concert will include the orchestral premiere of local composer William Campbell's Coyote Dances, the felicity and grace of Lydia Artymiw's piano performance, and a suite from Richard Strauss' popular comic opera Der Rosenkavalier specially collected by Music Director Mark Russell Smith to include the famous climactic trio performed by Kara Shay Thompson, Sarah Shafer, and Abigail Nims. By the conclusion of this season finale, you will be dancing in the aisles and singing in your heart.
William Campbell is associate professor of music theory and composition at St. Ambrose University and has long had an abiding interest in mythology and the archetypal characters who inhabit myths. Campbell's Coyote Dances began life as part of a dance score commissioned by the New Articulation Dance Company of Tucson, Arizona. The inspiration for the collaboration came from Native American myths, particularly the "trickster" stories found in the lore of several tribes. Campbell originally wrote the piece as an electro-acoustical work, but in 2004 arranged it for concert band at the request of an ensemble in Missouri. In this guise, Coyote Dances has enjoyed considerable performance success. Campbell has now returned to his Dances and arranged it as an orchestral work for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra who will give this version its world premiere this weekend.
Masterworks 6 will be presented 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31, at the Adler Theatre, Davenport; and again at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 1, in Centennial Hall, Augustana College, Rock Island. Tickets can be purchased at 800.745.3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by clicking here.
Win $50,000 in the Symphony Raffle
In honor of our 97th season, the QCSO is selling 1000 $97 raffle tickets which could win you $50,000!
In addition to that exciting Grand Prize, nearly $5000 in preliminary cash prizes are to be awarded at Quad City Symphony Orchestra concerts this season, including a $250 "early bird" prize Saturday, March 31, and Sunday, April 1, during Concert Conversations an hour before the performance. Winners of the "early bird" prizes remain eligible for the Grand Prize, so the earlier you buy your ticket, the better your chances of winning!
Buy your tickets today at the QCSO Box Office or at our table in the concert lobby! Find out more and get the full rules by clicking here.
Derby Day is just around the corner
Derby Day is moving to The Outing Club in Davenport this Saturday, May 5, so be sure to mark your calendars today! You don't want to miss the mint juleps, horse races, live music, and delicious Derby cuisine. All proceeds from this event go to benefit youth music education right here in your community. The fun starts at 2:00 p.m. and concludes with a live auction after the running of the Kentucky Derby.
Reservations are $75 per person or $520 for a table of eight. Make reservations now by calling 563.322.QCSO (7276) or by clicking here.
Rhythm Unleashed on May 19
The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Principal Percussionist Aaron Williams is very excited to present Rhythym Unleashed, a collection of works from composer Marc Mellits, in the RME's Redstone Room on May 19 at 8:00 p.m. Mellits' unique blending of classical instrumentation with rock rhythms is as sensual as it is intelligent.
Helping Williams bring this vibrant music to life will be QCSO musicians: Principal Cellist Hannah Holman, Pianist Mary Neil, and Percussionist Tony Oliver. The team will perform a variety of Mellits' repertoire, including 5 Quiet Machines, Disciples of Gouda, Mara's Lullaby, and Paranoid Cheese.
Tickets for Rhythym Unleashed are $18 for adults and $7 for students.
