Newport hosts youth chamber concert

Dr. Qinqing Qian

Willamette University's Schnell Vigueur Ensemble and the McKay High School Chamber Orchestra will present a free chamber concert at Atonement Lutheran Church in Newport this Sunday, Jan. 14.

Founded by Dr. Qinqing Qian, Schnell Vigueur is a small ensemble with flexible instrumentation. It aims to encapsulate a harmonious blend of rapid innovation and enduring strength, embodying a creative force that propels projects with dynamic energy and unwavering vitality. Dr. Qian leads the Willamette University Chamber Orchestra and the University Concert Band and teaches theory and history courses. As a first-generation immigrant from Shanghai, she has extensive experience as a conductor, composer, performer and educator.

Opening the program, the McKay High School Chamber Orchestra is an audition-only ensemble from Salem. The orchestra of 15 members performs all around the Salem-Keizer community. The group is part of the McKay High School Orchestra Program, consisting of 120 student musicians in four string orchestras and a full symphony. Under the direction of Alex Figueroa, the orchestra will perform “Concerto in G Minor for Two Cellos” by Antonio Vivaldi, “Air on the G String” by J.S. Bach, “Perseus” by Soon Hee Newbold and “Por una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel.

There will be a post-concert reception with light refreshments.

The concert begins at 2 pm at Atonement Lutheran Church, located at 2315 N Hwy. 101, Newport.