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QUINCY, ILL. -- The following information came from the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association website, www.qsoa.org:

The Quincy Symphony Orchestra will present the FIESTA! FAMILY CONCERT a concert of music with a Latin flair, on Saturday, November 21 at 3:00 PM at the QJHS Morrison Theatre on the corner of 14th & Maine St. in Quincy. This wonderful family event will feature high-energy symphonic selections of Spanish and Mexican composers, and will showcase guest soloist Petar Jankovic on guitar. There will be pre-concert children’s activities celebrating Hispanic heritage, and a special appearance by dancers of the St. Louis Cultural Flamenco Society.

Conductor Bruce Briney and the orchestra will open the concert with the exhilarating and fiery Danzon No. 2 by internationally acclaimed composer Arturo Marquez, one of the most popular living composers of Mexico. Guitarist Jankovic will follow with a performance of the Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo. The concerto’s 1940 premiere in Barcelona was a spectacular success and proved to be a milestone not only in Rodrigo’s career but also in the history of Spanish music. Spain’s civil war had ended only a year earlier, and the war-torn country was hungry for cultural heroes. The authentic Spanish flavor of the concerto helped to renew interest in the native musical style. The concerto combines a feeling of longing for a graceful and chivalrous time with the fire and color of the Spanish temperament. The hauntingly beautiful 2nd movement has become one of the best known pieces of the classical guitar repertoire.

Petar Jankovic has performed numerous concerts and given many master classes in both the United States and Europe. Having garnered many prestigious national and international awards, Jankovic maintains a very active performance schedule. He began his guitar studies at age 8 in his native Yugoslavia, where he became a two-time gold medal, silver medal, and two-time bronze medal winner at the National Music Competition. At age 16, he delivered his first professional performance, and by age 20, had begun his teaching career in Belgrade, marking the beginning of a teaching career that has developed alongside his successful performing career. Jankovic currently holds the position of Adjunct Lecturer in Music at Indiana University, and is the Coordinator of the Department of Guitar. Mr. Jankovic’s appearance is sponsored by Silver Baton Guest Artist Sponsor Missouri Music Hall.

Also on the program will be Manuel de Falla’s popular ballet score from The Three Cornered Hat. The ballet’s story is simple: the Corregidor, the town governor whose three-cornered hat is the symbol of his authority, becomes infatuated with the miller’s wife. The plot provides a traditional comedy resulting in the peasants outwitting authority. The full ballet production of The Three Cornered Hat premiered in London in 1919 and would become de Falla’s most famous orchestral work. De Falla used Spanish folk music influenced by flamenco and Gypsy traditions. The main dances, such as that of the miller and the miller’s wife, include some of the most evocative and vibrant Spanish music ever created for orchestra. Guest dancers from the St. Louis Cultural Flamenco Society will accompany portions of the piece. In addition, the orchestration includes two songs in Cante jondo (deep song) flamenco style which will be sung by soprano Carol Mathieson.

Tickets will be available in advance at Wild Birds Unlimited, or at the door at a cost of $15 for adults and $12 for seniors. Children 18 and under are admitted free and encouraged to attend all QSOA concerts. Pre-concert activities for children will include language games and traditional Spanish crafts. Traditional Mexican food treats will be offered at intermission.

The QSOA is very grateful for support from the corporate community. The Silver Baton Concert Sponsor for the FIESTA! Family Concert is Mercantile Bank. The Maestro Music Sponsor is Advance Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine. KHQA is the Silver Baton Media Sponsor. Additional sponsors include Encore! Symphony Volunteer Council, the Marion Gardner Jackson Trust Arts Fund, the business and individual members of the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

The Golden Baton Season Sponsors for NEW ENCOUNTERS are the Knapheide Manufacturing Company, and Dene Lambkin Honda, Hyundai, & Hertz. The Season Ticket includes 8 remaining QSOA events, and offers a substantial discount over single ticket prices. Because the first Symphony Concert has already taken place, the regular season ticket price has been reduced to $50 for adults or $40 for seniors. The $10 reduction applies to all regular season tickets purchased on or before Nov. 21. Flexi-tickets remain available for $60, and include 6 general tickets to be used all at once or throughout the season at any QSOA event. Ticket order forms are located in the season brochure or on the website. Call 222-2856 or visit www.qsoa.org for more information on the music and performers, including program notes and soloist biographies.

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The Quincy Symphony Orchestra also is inviting its patrons to help stock the shelves of local food pantries by bringing a non-perishable food items to the concert.

Baby food and powdered formula, canned stew, peanut butter, pasta, canned vegetables and fruits, and canned meats are especially needed.

There also will be a table for donations at the entrance to the auditorium.

If you have questions, contact Rev. Bob Morwell at (217) 223-6062.