“On Sunday evening 200 community members got the chance to play alongside the Quad City Symphony Orchestra for the first ever Community Side by Side event,” writes Elizabeth Wadas on Sunday (4/10) at WQAD.com (Moline, Illinois). “The professional orchestra of about 50 members quadrupled in size to practice and perform Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. ‘The point isn’t to give the world’s most perfect performance of the 1812 Overture. The point is to involve the community, share the joy of playing in an orchestra and the joy of music,’ says QCSO music director Mark Russell Smith. The first half hour, members of the community practiced with the professionals. And then it was time for their big debut. Smith says the point … is for everyone to get a unique music experience while having fun, something that he says brings a community together. ‘If everybody has a great time and we end up with the last note together, that will be a great victory,’ says Smith. QCSO organizers say the event was such a success, they will hold the event again next spring.”
Posted April 12, 2016
Pictured: Quad City Symphony Orchestra intern Montana Farrell (right) with Mason Moss on saxophone
