IA/IL QUAD-CITIES – The Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSO) invites you to its 110th Season – Echoes of Exploration – featuring six dynamic Masterworks, four intimate Up Close chamber concerts, Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops, two QCSO at the Movies presentations, and several special events.
“The 2024-25 season is a testament to our vision – QCSO, Where Access Meets Inspiration – and we look forward to engaging the entire Quad Cities community with an incredibly diverse lineup,” said QCSO Music Director Mark Russell Smith. “We invite you to traverse musical landscapes with us, from the sun-drenched Italian Riviera to the ancient dynasties of China, and from celebrating the centennial of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue to our landmark performance of Rhiannon Giddens and Michael Abels Omar’s Journey. We’re excited to introduce you to newer works by Reena Esmail, Bright Sheng, and Angel Lam and revisit timeless favorites by Bruckner, Mozart, Prokofiev, and more.”
“The popularity of our Pops and Movie concerts continue to grow, and we are pleased to offer four concerts in this series and a new Pops Subscription for those loyal attendees,” said QCSO Executive Director Brian Baxter. “We continue the beloved tradition of Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops with a Celebration of the Music of Led Zeppelin. This year’s QCSO at the Movies Series features a Halloween weekend presentation of Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert and the next Harry Potter™ film series installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert. We are pleased to add a spring pops concert, Video Games in Concert. This multimedia experience will immerse you in the music your favorite video games including Halo, World of Warcraft, Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, and more!”
QCSO Masterworks performances are held on Saturday evenings at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport, IA, and Sunday afternoons at Centennial Hall, Augustana College, 3703 7th Ave., Rock Island, IL unless otherwise noted. The following works are scheduled for the 2024-2025 Season:
MASTERWORKS SERIES
All Masterworks Concerts are sponsored in part by the Regional Development Authority, Illinois Arts Council, Iowa Arts Council, and National Endowment for the Arts
Masterworks I: Bruckner at 200
October 5, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
October 6, 2024 | 2:00 pm | Centennial HallMark Russell Smith, conductor
Andrew Parker, oboeWOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Die Zauberflöte, K.620 (The Magic Flute): Overture
RUTH GIPPS Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra in D minor, Op. 20
ANTON BRUCKNER Symphony No.7, in E Major
Masterworks II: Midsummer Night’s Dream
November 2, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
November 3, 2024 | 2:00 pm | Centennial HallPresented in partnership with Ballet Quad Cities
Mark Russell Smith, conductor
Ballet Quad Cities
Courtney Lyon, choreographer
Shelley Cooper, narrator
Doug Kutzli, narrator
Sopranos and Altos from Augustana Choir and Choral Artists
Jon Hurty, director
A Pavan, tablaDAVID DIAMOND Music for Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
REENA ISMAIL Testament (from Vishwas)
REENA ESMAIL RE|Member
FELIX MENDELSSOHN Excerpts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, op.21 & 61
Masterworks III: Season of Miracles
December 7, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
December 8, 2024 | 2:00 pm | Bartlett Performing Arts CenterMark Russell Smith, conductor
Naha Greenholtz, violinFRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No.30, in C major (Alleluja)
ARCANGELO CORELLI Concerto grosso, op.6, no.8, in G minor (Christmas Concerto)
ANTONIO VIVALDI The Four Seasons, op.8, no.4 Winter, RV 297
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires: Winter
OTTORINO RESPIGHI Trittico Botticelliano, P.151
FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN Symphony No.96, in D major (The Miracle)
Masterworks IV: Omar’s Journey
February 1, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
February 2, 2025 | 2:00 pm | Centennial HallMark Russell Smith, conductor
Brittany Renee, Julie
Taylor Raven, Fatima
Issachah Savage, Omar
Andy Papas, Owen/Johnson
Norman Garrett, Abdul/AbeRHIANNON GIDDENS & MICHAEL ABELS Omar’s Journey
Masterworks V: Echoes of Exploration
March 1, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
March 2, 2025 | 2:00 pm | Centennial HallMark Russell Smith, conductor
Roberto Díaz, violaEDWARD ELGAR In the South, op.50 (Alassio)
BRIGHT SHENG Of Time and Love: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
HUGO WOLF Italian Serenade
MAURICE RAVEL Rapsodie espagnole
Masterworks VI: Rhapsody in Blue
April 5, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Adler Theatre
April 6, 2025 | 2:00 pm | Centennial HallMark Russell Smith, conductor
Lorraine Min, pianoANGEL LAM Please let there be a paradise…
Commissioned by the League of American Orchestras with the generous support of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
GEORGE GERSHWIN Rhapsody in Blue
SERGEI PROKOFIEV Symphony No.5, op.100 in B-flat MajorLorraine Min’s appearance is generously sponsored by Gene Belz.
POPS SERIES
Quad City Bank & Trust Riverfront Pops: A Symphonic Celebration of the Music of Led Zeppelin
August 17, 2024 | 7:30 pm | LeClaire ParkHisham Bravo Groover, conductor
Jeans ‘N ClassicsJoin us along the banks of the Mississippi for the Party of the Summer! Rock out in LeClaire Park as we celebrate the music of Led Zeppelin’s with all their greatest hits, including “All of My Love,” “Good Times Bad Times,” “D’yer Mak’er,” and “Stairway to Heaven!” This spectacular event closes with our traditional renditions of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever set to a brilliant fireworks display.
Sponsored by Quad City Bank & Trust
Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert
October 26, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Adler TheatreHisham Bravo Groover, conductor
This Halloween, the Sanderson Sisters are back, and Disney’s Hocus Pocus will cast its spell on you like never before! Resurrected by an unwitting teenager’s lighting of the black flame candle, Salem’s most legendary witches chase their quest for eternal youth. Be swept away in this beloved classic, shown in high definition on the big screen as the Quad City Symphony Orchestra conjures John Debney’s score to life. Embrace the spirit of staying forever young at heart, and immerse yourself in a night of humor, suspense, and ageless adventure, in this bewitching live-to-film event.
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert
November 23, 2024 | 2:00 pm | Adler Theatre
November 23, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Alder TheatreErnesto Estigarribia, conductor
The end begins. Part one of the epic finale Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ is here! CineConcerts invites audiences back to witness the beginning of Harry’s most important battle yet, with the full film accompanied by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out to track down the secret to Voldemort’s power!
Part of the Harry Potter™ Film Concert Series Brought to you by CineConcerts
WIZARDING WORLD and all related trademarks, characters, names, and indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s24)
Video Games in Concert
May 10, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Adler TheatreHisham Bravo Groover, conductor
Join the QCSO and experience your favorite video games like never before! Video Games in Concert is an immersive concert experience with the QCSO performing music from cherished video games with synchronized video projected on the big screen. This multimedia concert brings to life video games like Halo, World of Warcraft, Kingdom Hearts, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Castlevania, Skyrim and so many more!
UP CLOSE
Chamber Music Series
Up Close Series sponsored by Susan Quail
Up Close with Naha Greenholtz
September 15, 2024 | 2:00 pm | Rock Island Library, Watts-Midtown BranchNaha Greenholtz, violin & Marian Lee, piano
Enjoy an afternoon of violin and piano music by Reene Esmail, Angel Lam, Joseph Haydn, and Sergi Prokofiev.
Presented in Partnership with Rock Island Public Library
Up Close with Emily, Bruno, & Kit
January 11, 2025 | 11:00 am | MLK Center, Rock Island (Family Concert)
January 11, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Figge Art MuseumEmily Nash, violin, Bruno Vaz da Silva, viola, Kit Polen, bass, & Misty Dais, narrator
Join the QCSO String Trio in the morning for a shorter family-friendly concert, or in the evening for a traditional performance.
Presented in Partnership with Quad Cities Music Therapy
Up Close with Marian Lee
March 29, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Figge Art MuseumMarian Lee, piano
Celebrate International Piano Day with an evening of captivating solo piano works!
Presented in partnership with the Figge Art Museum
Up Close with QCSO Percussion
May 3, 2025 | 7:30 pm | Venue TBDAaron Williams, Michael Geary, Gary Ciccotelli, & Tony Oliver
Our talented percussion section moves from the back of the orchestra to center stage in this vibrant concert.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Uncork the Season
August 1, 2024 | 6:00 pm | Mississippi River Distilling Company, Celebration CenterKick off the season with an evening of beautiful rooftop views of the Mississippi River, delicious spirits, and cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, great music, and fantastic company, all while supporting the QCSO.
Soriée: A Night in Italy
October 19, 2024 | 5:30 pm | Figge Art Museum5:30 PM Cocktails & Hors D’oeuvres
7:30 PM Dinner, Auction, & PerformanceExperience an elegant evening at the Figge for one of the most popular fundraising events in the Quad Cities! Tickets include cocktail hour, dinner, and a performance, plus a paddle raise and live auction with Maestro Mark Russell Smith as your auctioneer to benefit the QCSO’s education programs.
Holiday Brass
December 14, 2024 | 3:00 pm | Second Baptist Church, Rock Island
December 15, 2024 | 3:00 pm | St. Paul Lutheran, DavenportMark Russell Smith, conductor
Chris Nelson, organ
Shellie Moore Guy, narratorRing in the holiday season with members of the QCSO Brass and Percussion sections! Under the direction of Maestro Mark Russell Smith, the ensemble is joined by narrator Shellie Moore Guy and organist Chris Nelson to perform uplifting sections of classical and holiday favorites.
TICKETS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
Ticket sales for 2024-25 Season Concerts open first to Subscribers on April 4, 2024, at 9:00 am. Single Tickets open to the public on May 15, 2024, at 9:00 am.
Quad City Symphony Orchestra tickets are available at the QCSO box office at 327 Brady St., Davenport. You can also call the QCSO at (563) 322-7276 or visit www.qcso.org.