Seven area teenagers competed for a chance to solo with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.
Participants competed at Centennial Hall in Rock Island on Sunday, January 12, 2014 for the opportunity to perform their concerto at the first ever Side-By-Side Concert to be held on Saturday, February 1.
The Executive Director of the Quad City Symphony, Ben Loeb, said two winners would be chosen from the group of competitors. One young musician will perform at the February concert; the other will perform with the Youth Symphony Orchestra in May.
“We’re the only professional orchestra in town and this is a chance for the youth musicians to perform with a professional orchestra,” Loeb said. “It’s a rare opportunity.”
The February performance, scheduled for 4 p.m. at the Adler Theatre, will feature all four Quad City Symphony Youth Orchestras and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. The Side-By-Side Concert, sponsored by UnityPoint Health – Trinity, benefits the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. For ticket information – click here, or call 563-322-7276.
Local competitors were:
- Katie Dircks, Viola, Davenport Central High School
- Molly Schebler, French Horn, Davenport Central High School
- Maggie Warner, Violin, Davenport North
- Robert Spurgeon, Cello, Home school in East Galesburg
- Brennan Nelson, Trombone, Iowa City High School
- Gabriela Nisly, Flute, Iowa City West High School
- Caitlin Thom, Harp, Pleasant Valley High School