International prize-winning flutist Rose Bishop will be the featured soloist as the Quincy Concert Band presents “Americana” at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 17 in Quincy Junior High School’s Morrison Theater.
The band will feature Bishop, principal flutist of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra, in a brand new flute concerto by Alan Theisen, and commissioned by Bishop. “L’histoire de la Nouvelle-Orléans” celebrates various key places, people, and musical styles of New Orleans. Rose has performed nationally and internationally throughout North and South America as well as throughout Europe.
Bishop is excited to present the new piece to the Quincy community after premiering the piece earlier this month with the Southeast Iowa Band.
“It’s breathing life into a new work, and I feel very honored that he trusted me with it,” Bishop said.
Theisen, a lecturer of music at Xavier University of Louisiana, lives in New Orleans.
“He is obsessed with New Orleans,” Bishop said. “He is always doing things in the community, he participates in all sorts of events and he wanted to write something based on his home.”
“Americana” brings together music celebrating various histories and cultures of America.
“We are excited to bring two brand new works from 2023 and pair them with some wonderful band classics from the 19th and 20th century,” explained music director Trent Hollinger.
The band will also present a brand new setting of a 1918 march “America! First and Forever” by New Philadelphia resident Hermes Zimmerman. This setting by Illinois composer Bill Camphouse celebrates the National Park Services recent designation of New Philadelphia located in Pike County as a historic landmark being the first settlement in the United States platted and chartered by an African-American. Other great works include music by well-known American composers Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, John Zdechlik and more.
There is no charge for admission to the concert, however, donations are welcome to assist with the band’s expenses.
The Quincy Concert Band is an all-volunteer, 80-member plus concert band that performs a spring and fall concert each year in addition to several chamber concerts.
