Besties launched Queer Urban Orchestra’s 2023-2024 season, Chosen Family. Two scintillating overtures celebrate the longtime romantic relationship and even longer friendship between two of America’s most important composers: Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti. “Luminous, expressive” (The New York Times) soprano Ariadne Greif joined the orchestra to perform works by three of her best buddies — Jessie Montgomery, Eve Beglarian, …
Pride 2023 Gala
Our Pride 2023 Gala was an outstanding success: great music, great fundraising, great times. We were joined by the exception Jasmine Rice LaBeija, who brought down the house with her opening number, Je veux vivre from Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette, and things just got better from there. It was, to coin a phrase, truly a night to remember.
Pipes of Peace
QUO has performed for 14 years at Church of the Holy Apostles, and this concert finally featured the organ in that space. The organ-themed concert included an opera overture with organ, a transcription of an organ work, and of course, the Organ Symphony. The full program: Ethel Smyth: Overture to the Wreckers JS Bach: Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor …
Getting to Know You
February 25, 2023 was supposed to be the debut concert of our new Artistic Director David Bloom. Unfortunately he fell ill, but the show must go on, and our intrepid associate conductor Derek Weagle (also making their QUO debut) stepped in and incredibly conducted this difficult program with just a few short hours notice. The first three pieces on the …
QUOtets XVI
The sixteenth in our QUOtets chamber series.
Be Our Guest
To open our 14th Season, QUO featured a program with four amazing guest conductors: Matthew Oberstein, who conducted Rossini and Corigliano; Conrad Chu, conducting Vaughan Williams and Wagner; Derek Weagle, conducting Mendelssohn and Theofanidis; and David Bloom, conducting Bonds and Brahms. Overture to the Barber of Seville — Rossini Gazebo Dances — Corigliano Norfolk Rhapsody No. 1 — Vaughan Williams Siegfried’s …
A Celebration of Beauty
Our 2022 GayLa feature the world premiere of Syed Lucas’ Scenes from a Melodrama; Florence Price’s The Oak; Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings; and John Williams’ Star Wars Suite.
Grandiose Spirit
The last piece QUO rehearsed before the pandemic was Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, which finally made its appearance on this concert. We were joined by Matthieu Cognet for Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, and also presented the piece selected from our 2021-2022 call for score from transgender and non-binary composers: Zaq Latino’s living enby.
Fantastic Dreams
After a brief interlude, QUO returned to live concerts on March 12, 2022 with this dreamy concert featuring: Gilbert Galindo, “Prelude To Hymns Of The Sky” Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Piano Concerto No. 2” Hector Berlioz, “Symphonie fantastique” In consideration of world events and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the concert opened with the Ukranian National Anthem. We were joined …
The Music That Drives Us
QUO’s triumphant return after the shutdown opened with LGBT composer and Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Higdon’s Fanfare Ritmico. Then in a belated celebration for Beethoven’s 250th Birthday, we recreated part of his most famous concert, presenting the Piano Concerto No. 4 with special guest Spencer Myer, and the Symphony No. 5.