MUSCATINE, Feb. 12, the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra invites you and the special people in your life to come celebrate with them at their Delicious Combination dinner and concert. This year’s long standing tradition will pair fine dining with a night of music from Frank Sinatra performed by Josh Duffee Big Band and Jason Richards.
The evening will start with dinner at Geneva Country Club, 3100 Bidwell Road, at 5 p.m. After hosting a takeout dinner last year, Maestro Brian Dollinger welcomes the opportunity for symphony supporters to dine together once more. He noted, “We’ve always had such a wonderful experience with our friends at the club.” Diners will have their choice of a pork or chicken entrée accompanied by mixed vegetables, salad, a bread roll and butter, and dessert and coffee. Additionally, guests may purchase a glass of Contrary Brewing Company’s Maestro’s Ale, brewed in honor of the Symphony’s 20th anniversary, for $5.
Following dinner at 7 p.m., orchestra patrons will make their way to Wesley United Methodist Church at 400 Iowa Avenue to hear the Symphony’s “Silky Smooth” concert. At this show, the Josh Duffee Big Band and Jason Richards will perform some of Frank Sinatra’s most enduring hits, which will surely prove popular with listeners of all ages. “The music of Frank Sinatra is almost as timeless as Mozart and Beethoven,” asserted Dollinger. “The uplifting beats and swinging sounds of the band partnered with the lush sound of the MSO strings will really be quite awesome!”
Additionally, the concert will allow the Symphony to partner both with an old friend and a new find, giving audience members a treat they will not soon forget. Dollinger shared: “Having Josh as a percussionist in the MSO’s percussion section – he and I are always chatting about ideas and possible collaborations. It has always been a really fun and special event when we partner with his big band.” He added: “Now, Jason comes as a recommendation of Josh. The two of them have worked together many times, and with my talks with Josh, we believe he will really be a special artist to bring to Muscatine and will really engage and entertain our fantastic audience.”
Whether people have attended all of the Symphony’s recent concerts or have yet to try one out, Dollinger thinks “Silky Smooth,” will give everyone who attends an enjoyable evening of live music. “A symphony orchestra is not a ‘high-brow’ experience only for a small portion of our society; it is for everyone and every type of music lover,” he emphasized. “This type of show is so uplifting and fun not only for the audience but for the musicians and myself, and in our current times, we need as much lifting up as possible.”
If you would like to attend either the dinner, concert, or both events, Dollinger encourages to buy your tickets soon. Dinner costs $50 per person and concert tickets cost $15 a piece, with students with ID and children under 18 getting in for free. The Symphony’s website provides more details about ticket sales.
