Debra Sandry, Director of Development with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, has accepted a position as Director of Development with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in Norfolk, VA. Sandry joined the QCSO in November of 2004 and during her six years with the QCSO has raised a combined $4.2 million in annual support.

"The QCSO leadership welcomed me six years ago, giving me the opportunity to work on behalf of the Orchestra. I can't say enough about the overwhelming generosity of the Board of Trustees and all our donors. This move will be bittersweet, as I have truly enjoyed watching this orchestra grow through some very challenging years," said Sandry.

"Deb Sandry has been a true asset for this organization and we wish her the best in all of her endeavors," said Jeff vom Saal, Executive Director for the QCSO.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra launches its 2010-11 season with a concert commemorating the 200th birthday of Chopin with Gustavo Romero's performance of Chopin's First Piano Concerto. This concert also features the powerful music of Beethoven's Egmont: Overture, as well as his famous 7th Symphony. These concerts will be performed on October 2 and 3, and are sponsored in memory of Elsie von Maur and Donald McDonald, by their family. Saturday evening's concert will be held at the Adler Theatre in Davenport at 8 PM, and followed on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM at Centennial Hall in Rock Island. Tickets for this concert can be purchased in person at the QCSO Box Office, 327 Brady Street in Davenport, by phone at 800.745.3000 or online at www.qcsymphony.com.

On the Thursday before the concerts, Quad Citians will get the chance to hear Music Director Mark Russell Smith share his insights into the upcoming performance at Inside the Music. Expert and novice alike will enjoy this casual musical conversation at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport from 5 to 6:30 PM on Thursday, October 1. This event is free to the public, with free hors d'eouvres and cash bar available.

On Friday, October 1, Gustavo Romero will be leading a piano Master Class at West Music in Moline from 4 to 5:30 PM. Concert pianist Gustavo Romero has a stellar reputation for both the technical brilliance and interpretive depth of his playing, as well as his commitment to in-depth exploration of individual composers. Mr. Romero, a native of San Diego with heritage in Guadalajara, Mexico, discovered his love and gift for music at age five. He started taking lessons, and gave his first public performances at the age of 10. His early teachers included Ilana Mysior. Highlights of the past three years include feature stories on NPR, a seven city recital tour of Japan, as well as concerts in South Africa, Asia, Mexico and the United States.  This Master Class is presented free of charge, with all interested adults and students are welcome to attend. A few select students will be pre-selected to participate.

Mark Russell Smith will also be available at Kai Swanson's Concert Conversations, held in the concert hall an hour before each of the weekend's concerts. At Concert Conversations the audience members will be given a quick tour of highlights from the program they are about to experience. This look into the background of the concert's repertoire, sponsored by Rich James of Wells Fargo Advisors, is in its tenth year and has become an audience favorite.
Returning this season will be Saturday night's Afterglow reception at the Woodfire Grill immediately following the Saturday night concert. Audience members are invited to reminisce about the evening's performance, mingle with Mark Russell Smith and musicians from the QCSO, and sometimes even meet the guest artists. You never know who will be there! The evening promises free hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, and remarkable repartee.

QCSO announces open auditions

The Quad City Symphony announces open auditions for positions starting in the 2010-11 season.

Auditions will take place on August 29, 2010, at Augustana College in the Bergendoff Fine Arts Building. Positions open include SECTION VIOLIN, SECTION VIOLA, SECTION CELLO, and UTILITY CLARINET.

All interested persons are encouraged to contact Rich Stodd, Director of Operations, for audition information and required excerpts. He can be reached by phone at 563-322-0931 or by email at rstodd@qcsymphony.com. Interested musicians should send a current, one-page resume.

String players, are you ready for your Quad City Youth Orchestra and Youth String Ensemble auditions? Will you be at your best?  Get free professional coaching on the required musical excerpts on July 15 courtesy of the QCSO. The sessions are 60-minutes long and be sure to bring your own music stand.

Date:Thursday, July 15, 2010
Location:Grace Evangelical Free Church, 5520 Eastern Avenue, Davenport
Times:
Youth Orchestra excerpts: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
String Ensemble excerpts: 1-2 PM

Please bring a wire music stand with you to the clinic.
Those students who are unsure of which group they should be auditioning for should prepare both sets of excerpts. They are encouraged to come to both clinic times.