Meet the Musician

Meet the Musician

Quincy Concert Band would like to introduce you to Sue Cutrone, first chair flute/piccolo. Sue has played with QCB for over 15 years. Here is a Q & A, submitted by Susan Deege.

What do you like best about playing with QCB? I really enjoy the variety of music we play. In this group we have been able to learn and perform some exciting new music. We also enjoy performing some of the great old favorites. It was an honor that we

2017 able to attend the Illinois Music Education Conference! We are able to showcase our varied musical talents with two concerts a year - one in the spring, and one in the fall. I really appreciate the challenge of the beautiful music we play.

Sue Cutrone is a member of Quincy Concert Band. Submitted photo.

What other groups do you play with? I have been a member of the Quincy Symphony Orchestra for 29 years and have also been a member of the Muddy River Opera Company orchestra.

How did your musical journey begin? I come from a very musical family and started flute lessons with my Dad when I was in third grade. I started playing flute and piccolo with the school band in 4th grade. After graduating from QHS in 1977 I attended University of Arizona in Tucson on a music scholarship. It was wonderful to play in the marching and symphonic bands, as well as with the orchestra.

In addition to your family, who else has inspired you? I've been lucky enough to have many great influences over the years. I studied with Mrs. Pat George and also with Jan Scott from the STL Symphony. Since I grew up in Quincy, I had great conductors in junior and senior high in Mr. Paul Duker, Mr. Eddie Allen, Mr. Wayne Pyle and Mr. Dan Sherman. They challenged their students and really developed my love of music.

Any advice to those who have not played for years? The Quincy Concert Band is a great way to restore your musical interests. Even if you haven't played for years, please come and enjoy our fall and spring Concerts. Maybe you'll decide to join us! We work hard to rehearse and perform but everyone really enjoys the challenge...and the final results. We are a positive and supportive group of musicians.

were selected The next to "play QCB concert in Peoria" is Sunday, for the March 17. The group performs in the 1930's Art-Deco style Morrison Auditorium at Quincy Junior High School, 100 S. 14th Street, Quincy, IL. Concerts are free. Donations are accepted.

Learn how you can be a part of Quincy Concert Band by visiting quincyconcertband.org.

Concert Band Presents "Cornerstones" on St. Patrick's Day

QUINCY CONCERT BAND: CORNERSTONES Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 pm Quincy Junior High School

For well over 100 years, wind ensembles have FREE! performed pieces considered cornerstones for wind bands, and the Quincy Concert Band will bring many of these greatest hits to the stage during its “Cornerstones” concert on Sunday, March 17 at 2:30 pm in Morrison Theater in Quincy Junior High School.

Conductor Dr. Trent Hollinger will lead the band through cornerstone pieces composed over the last 120 years, from the 1899 John Philip Sousa march “Hands Across the Sea” to Wayne Oquin’s 2014 award-winning “Affirmation,” that explores the often conflicting emotions that encompass the human condition: life and death, love and loss, darkness and light.

“Many iconic composers have crafted works that continue to inspire and challenge musicians every day. I cannot think of a better way to showcase the Quincy Concert Band than performing some of these cornerstones for our audience,” Hollinger said.

Included in the performance will be Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat,” which is considered by many to be the first piece composed for the modern wind band, and “Divertimento,” by Vincent Persichetti, who originally started writing the piece with an orchestra in mind. Midway through the prologue, which featured the brass tossing the woodwinds a back and forth movement, Persichetti realized strings were never going to enter and completed it for band.

There is no charge for admission. However, donations are accepted to assist with the band’s expenses.

The Quincy Concert Band is an allvolunteer wind ensemble that performs a spring and fall concert each year. Members of the band come from all Dr. Trent Hollinger. File photo. walks of life. The band rehearses weekly leading up to performances.

For information or to join the band, please contact Dr. Hollinger at thollinger@culver.edu or Board of Directors President John Schneider at 217-257-4953 or at quincyconcertband@gmail.com. The band can also be found online at quincyconcertband.org and on Facebook.