The Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association (QCSO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Zack Morton as Concert Orchestra Conductor with the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Zack Morton to the QCSYE artistic team!” says Hisham Bravo Groover, QCSO Assistant Conductor and Youth Ensembles Music Director. “His love of music and music education poured from him from the moment he walked into rehearsal. Zack is a deeply knowledgeable and experienced musician, and his expertise is matched by his passion and the inspiring way he connects with young musicians. We feel incredibly fortunate to have him on the team and look forward to working alongside him to continue strengthening our music education programs.”
Mr. Morton is Director of Instrumental Music at Moline High School and has held the position since 2013. A graduate of the University of Iowa, Mr. Morton has an undergraduate degree in Trombone Performance and Music Education. From 2006-2007, he accepted a position abroad as Bass Trombonist with the Hofer Symphoniker in Hof, Germany. After performing for a year in Hof, and two months touring with the Berlin-based Philharmonie Der Nationen, he returned to the University of Iowa to finish his degree in music education. While in Iowa City, Mr. Morton was assistant conductor of the New Horizons Senior Band and brass choir for two years. After returning to the Quad Cities, Mr. Morton became active as a Bass Trombone performer, performing with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the South-East Iowa Symphony Orchestra, and the Quad City Brass Quintet. His tenure at Moline High School includes expanding the musical offerings of the instrumental program, including adding a third concert band, a second orchestra, and a chamber orchestra.
“I’m so excited to be joining the QCSYE team as the Concert Orchestra conductor!” says Mr. Morton. My own experiences in the Youth Symphony in high school helped me decide I wanted to become a music educator, and the QCSO has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a teacher, I have seen firsthand the amazing opportunities area students have through these ensembles, and I’m honored to become the next conductor of the Concert Orchestra.”
Mr. Morton will begin his role as Concert Orchestra Conductor in May 2025.
About the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles
The Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles (QCSYE) program consists of five performance groups (four youth orchestras and a youth choir) for students in grades two through twelve. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYE conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral and choral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area and learn from the mentorship of professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois.
