The Quad City's newest music school is now open and accepting new students for guitar, drums, bass, piano and vocal lessons.

Call 563-386-3044 or visit us at QCRockAcademy.com

On December 16th and 17th, youth choirs will once again join Nova Singers in celebrating the holiday season.  On Friday the 16th in Davenport at St. Paul Lutheran Church, the guest choir is the Sudlow Select Choir, under the direction of Kim Knoche.  On Saturday the 17th in Galesburg at First Lutheran Church, Nova will be joined by the Churchill Singing Streaks, directed by Paula Helle.  Each choir will perform their own set of music before combining with the Nova Singers for three beloved Christmas carols.  Both performances begin at 7:30pm.

Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $16 for adults and $12 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. Nova Singers season tickets will still be available through this performance. Season ticket holders receive four concerts for the price of three. For information about group rates, tickets, recordings, or other Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu.  Also, please take the opportunity to visit our Facebook page under the keywords 'Nova Singers.'

 

A Nova Christmas is sponsored by Miller Dredge Insurance and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.  Nova Singers' 2011-2012 season is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will air a holiday special Monday, December 5th at 7:00 pm featuring local gospel singers The Westbrook Singers.  The concert is the first in a series of programs supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council that will highlight Illinois artists.  The program will also air on December 8 at 9 pm and Christmas Day at 2:30 pm.

 

"Earlier this year the Illinois Arts Council called to offer WQPT the opportunity to create a television series that focused on artists who work out of the State of Illinois. We had been hoping to create a series like this for some time, but this grant made the dream possible," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.

 

The series titled "Artists in Profile" is set to begin airing in early 2012 and will include three specials. The first one "A Westbrook Singers Christmas" and a second Westbrook gospel concert scheduled for March along with a concert by the Bucktown Revue. In addition there will be 10 half hour programs. "So far we have interviewed 10 artists of every kind and taped the three specials" said WQPT producer, Lora Adams.  "Our idea was to talk about how artists are inspired and educated," Adams said adding "WQPT had been trying for several years to find the funding to capture the remarkable voices of the Westbrook Singers and now we have." The Westbrook Singers website calls them "An extraordinary group - brother & sisters - dedicated to the spread of Gospel music in a style that is both contemporary and traditional."

 

All of the concerts were taped over a three day period at Fusion Communications.  "We were so fortunate to have had Capri College come in and provide hair and make-up services to the casts and to Foster Family Music who lent us a really gorgeous piano," said Adams.  Lighting for the concerts was designed by Butch Bos and Jeff Lyle and audio recording was done by Lars Rehnberg. Camera operators were Adam Less, Cody Lambert, Todd Steffens, Chris Ryder and Mike Lambert.  "We hope people will tune in and enjoy the concert" said Best.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

 

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nova-christmas-2011-7625.jpg

Top row: Laura Lane, Keri Bass, Erika Thomas, Curtis Fischer-Oelschlaeger  Bottom row: Joel Kolander

Nova Singers, under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, presents two performances of A Nova Christmas, Friday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, IA, and Saturday, December 17 at 7:30 pm, at First Lutheran Church, Galesburg.

Nova Singers' most popular concert of the year is just around the corner!  This year's program features songs on our newly recorded Christmas CD, including  Lauridsen's captivating O Magnum Mysterium and Moses Hogan's thrilling Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King. We also have several new pieces that will take your breath away, such as Kesselman's arrangement of In the Bleak Midwinter and Stanford Scriven's Christ the Appletree.  These concerts also feature the world premiere of Daniel Godsil's newest Christmas arrangement, Choral Meditation on "Once in Royal David's City." And it wouldn't be A Nova Christmas without an audience sing-along!

A major highlight at these concerts is the release of Nova Singers' newest Christmas CD.  Artistic Director Laura Lane says, "I'm thrilled with our new Christmas CD, Mystery and Light, and can't wait for people to hear it.  I am very proud of the 7 CDs that Nova Singers has professionally recorded, and this eighth one is every bit as good.  In terms of the quality of sound, the expressiveness of the singing and the variety and beauty of the songs themselves, this may be our best one yet!"

Nova Singers, a professional vocal ensemble under the direction of Dr. Laura Lane, hopes to share our musical holiday spirit with you.  Nova Singers is known for bringing a wide variety of choral music to its audiences, and for the beauty and charm the singers impart to their music.  Dr. Lane has been serving the greater Galesburg and Quad-Cities communities since 1986, bringing her passion for music and expressive singing to audiences and singers alike.

Tickets will be available at the door. Admission is $16 for adults and $12 for seniors. Students are admitted free of charge. Nova Singers season tickets will still be available through this performance. Season ticket holders receive four concerts for the price of three. For information about group rates, tickets, recordings, or other Nova Singers events, call 309-341-7038, or e-mail nova@knox.edu.  Also, please take the opportunity to visit our Facebook page under the keywords 'Nova Singers.

 

A Nova Christmas is sponsored by Miller Dredge Insurance and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.  Nova Singers' 2011-2012 season is partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (12/01/2011)(readMedia)-- The Handel Oratorio Society will celebrate its 131st-anniversary performance of Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave, Rock Island, Ill.). This special holiday tradition will feature four internationally acclaimed soloists, including the return of renowned soprano Mary Wilson, performing with a professional chamber orchestra and 250 singers from Augustana College and the surrounding community.

From your area this includes:

Kaleigh Wall, a Junior from Eldridge, Ill., majoring in Art.

Lauren Reid, a Senior from Sherrard, Ill., majoring in Business Administration- Marketing/Communication Studies.

Rickey Rector, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Please visit www.augustana.edu/messiah for a behind the scenes documentary on the joy of singing Messiah.

ALLIANCE, OH (11/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa will perform in the University of Mount Union's Christmas Festival, Child of Light, on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m. in Myers Sanctuary, located in Dewald Chapel on the University's campus. The holiday event will feature performances from Mount Union's Concert Choir and Women's Choir.

Wachal, a freshman French and international studies major, is a graduate of Bettendorf High School. Wachal also is a soprano and member of the Mount Union Concert Choir.

Under the direction of Dr. Grant Cook III, director of choral activities at Mount Union, the choirs will combine choral selections and traditional carols with scriptures and readings of the season.

The performance is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To make reservations, contact the Office of Alumni Relations and University Activities at (330) 823-2030 or alumni@mountunion.edu.

About the University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Ranked as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience, as evidenced by its mission to prepare students for fulfilling lives, meaningful work and responsible citizenship. The University's 115-acre campus is located in Alliance, Ohio, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and more than $100 million has been invested in the construction and renovation of modern facilities throughout the course of the past decade. For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu.

On the web: http://readabout.me/achievements/Courtney-Wachal-to-Perform-in-University-of-Mount-Union-Christmas-Festival/3125828.

ROCK ISLAND, IL (11/29/2011)(readMedia)-- Augustana presents its fourth annual Christmas at Augustana holiday concert-which has nearly sold out in previous years-on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3, at 4 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). More than 300 students in the college's choirs, brass ensemble and orchestra will join together to share music with audience members in what promises to be a warm and memorable holiday experience for all.

From your area this includes:

Hannah Barney, a Junior from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Business Administration-Marketing/Communication Studies.

Elizabeth Kuster, a Sophomore from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Creative Writing.

Anthony TouVelle, a First Year from Bettendorf, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Kaleigh Wall, a Junior from Eldridge, Ill., majoring in Art.

Steven Ray Trent, a Sophomore from Eldridge, Iowa, majoring in Geology.

Ashley Finley, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Music Education Instrumental.

Peter Wiese, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Neuroscience/Mathematics.

Guy Iaccarino, a Senior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Music General/Anthropology.

Abigail Jones, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Biology/Environmental Studies.

Rickey Rector, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Nick Kendell, a Sophomore from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Ingrid Schneider, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Benjamin Knapper, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Adam Bengfort, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Christine Harb, a First Year from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Undecided.

Manisha Kumar, a Junior from Davenport, Iowa, majoring in Biology/Pre-Medicine.

Anne VanSpeybroek, a Junior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in Music Performance- Instrumental.

Timothy Murga, a Senior from Rock Island, Ill., majoring in Biology.

Monica Hill, a Sophomore from Carbon Cliff, Ill., majoring in Business Administration-Advising.

Lindsey Sikorski, a First Year from East Moline, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Samantha McGreer, a First Year from Illinois City, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Samantha Kammerman, a First Year from Milan, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Laurel Williams, a Senior from Milan, Ill., majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders/English.

Jacob McManus, a First Year from Reynolds, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Lauren Reid, a Senior from Sherrard, Ill., majoring in Business Administration- Marketing/Communication Studies.

Elyzia Powers, a First Year from Silvis, Ill., majoring in Undecided.

Jennifer Youngs, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, Ill., majoring in Psychology/Political Science.

Megan Keller, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, Ill., majoring in Communication Studies.

Christmas at Augustana is one of a series of performances planned for the Christmas season. The Handel Oratorio Society, a choir that combines the vocal talents of Augustana students and Quad-City community members, along with the professional Handel Oratorio Society Chamber Orchestra and guest soloists, will perform Handel's Messiah on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. in continuation of an annual tradition. The event will be held in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.).

Tickets for both Christmas at Augustana and Messiah are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling (309) 794-7306.

The Augustana Chamber Singers and the Office of Campus Ministries will present Lessons and Carols on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. This beautiful Advent service chronicles the preparation of Christ's birth through songs and readings in Ascension Chapel (on campus at 820 38th St.). The event is free and open to the public.

Coming to Davenport this January!

TobyMac:  A Night of Unplugged Stories & Songs

Special Guest: Jamie Grace

7:30PM  Thursday, January 19, 2012

Adler Theatre, downtown Davenport, Iowa

Tickets go On Sale: Friday, December 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

Tickets available at Adler Theatre Box Office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000, online at Ticketmaster.com or Ticketmaster outlets.

Plan to join us in January for TobyMac in the intimate, personal setting of the Adler Theater. This is a first! Dont miss it!

We hope to see you there!

The Chordbuster Chorus presents it's 3rd Annual Christmas Festival.  Experience  the Christmas musical charms of:  Trinity Lutheran Choirs, Assumption High School Jazz Choir, Three Guys with Soule quartet, an organ/trumpet duet, and the combined Chordbuster and the Bend of the River Chorus.

Thursday, December 8th, 7 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church, 1122 West Central Park, Davenport, Iowa.

Tickets: $5.

12 and under: free.

Information:  (563) 332-4810.

The Chordbuster Chorus, BHS Central States District's 2011 Div. "AA" Most Improved Chorus, is a non-profit organization, promoting a cappella, barbershop-style harmony singing as a way of enriching people's lives.

www.thechordbusters.com

 

The first half of the 2011-12 Masterworks season concludes in just a few weeks on December 3rd and 4th with Concerti for Celli, featuring cellists Tony Ross and Beth Rapier Ross. This husband-and-wife team, respectively principal cello and assistant principal cello of the Minnesota Orchestra, brings their own special connection to a pair of concerti, each written for a pair of celli. The first by Ott in a modern idiom, with the second in Vivaldi's more Baroque style.

 

Michael Abel's Global Warming, originally commissioned by Mark Russell Smith, displays the warming of cultural relations by weaving together folk music from divergent cultures into one noisy yet harmonic global village. The concert is concluded with Brahms' beloved First Symphony.

 

For full program notes and listening samples, click here.

 

For guest artist biographies, click here.

 

Tickets for Masterworks III may be purchased at 800.745.3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by clicking here.

Chili with Celli

 

Friday, December 2 at 5 PM, cellists from around the Quad Cities are invited to join Anthony Ross and Beth Rapier Ross from the Minnesota Orchestra, along with Hannah Holman, Kevin Price-Brenner, and Mark Russell Smith at the River Music Experience in downtown Davenport for a chili dinner and cello performance. Chili will be available at 5, with the program beginning at 5:30.

 

The chili will be provided by Volunteers for Symphony and drinks will be for sale at the RME Cafe. This event is free to the public and everyone is invited to bring their cello and a music stand. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 30, to Rebecca Swartz, Education and Youth Ensemble Coordinator, at 563.322.0931 or rswartz@qcsymphony.com if you plan to attend.

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, over $3500 in preliminary cash prizes will be awarded at each Quad City Symphony Orchestra concert this season, including a $2500 "early bird" prize on December 4. Winners of the preliminary prizes will remain eligible for the Grand Prize, so the earlier you buy your ticket, the better your chance to win!

 

Buy your tickets today at the QCSO Box Office or by mailing a check for $97 to 327 Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801. Your tickets will be mailed to you upon the receipt of your check.

The Signature Series continues

 

The QCSO saw great attendance for the premier offering of its Signature Series and expects to see the same when the Lyrebird Ensemble performs at the Figge Art Museum on January 21. The Lyrebird Ensemble, a collaboration between Quad City Symphony Orchestra members Ellen Huntington and Lillian Lau, will perform hidden gems from the flute and harp repertoire. Come to hear the gorgeous combination of these two instruments in a program of rarely performed works ranging from charming to virtuosic. This second concert of the Signature Series is in the Figge Art Museum on January 21 at 8 PM.

 

The Lyrebird Ensemble will be performing in the "Fins and Feathers: Children's Book Illustrations from the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art," a temporary exhibit at the Figge Art Museum that showcases original children's book illustrations from the late 1960s through today. Included are works by Leo Lionni (Fish is Fish), Petra Mathers (Lottie's New Beach Towel), and Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar). The exhibition opens on the day of the concert and runs through April 22, 2012.

 

Tickets for the Signature Series are $18, but if you buy both remaining concerts in the series you can save 15%. May 19 will feature the driving rhythms of composer Marc Mellits at the River Music Experience. The first thing you'll do after each concert is tweet: "That was the best music I've heard in a long time."

 

To read more about the Lyrebird Esemble, click here.

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