By HOLLY WAGNER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Symphony of Trees holiday wonderland provides four days of family entertainment that supports one of Quincy's proudest traditions: the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association.

This year's event is set for Dec. 4-7 at the Ambiance. Features include hundreds of trees and holiday exhibits, crafts from around the world for children, a variety of holiday treats, entertainment and a holiday market, as well as raffles and auctions.

Its mission is to support music education and appreciation in the Tri-State area. The festival has raised more than $425,000 since 1992 with much of it going to QSOA.

QSOA recently celebrated its 60th year. For three generations, it has been offering opportunities for adult musicians to perform as singers or instrumentalists. Its programs also encourage young musicians to develop their talents.

"It's so important to our operation to have this funding," QSOA General Manager Jane Polett said. "It allows us to do everything better."

The Symphony of Trees enables QSOA to present its Young People's Concerts which are heard by 3,500 children annually -- 2,000 of whom are bused in from county schools.

"That's a huge impact," Polett said. "And it gets more expensive every year."

The funds also help pay for private lessons for talented young musicians who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

They fund scholarships to summer music camps as well. Because of the caliber of faculty required, the camps can't be staffed by volunteers as are the typical summer church and Scout camps, Polett said.

"The funds allow us to do those extra things that we might not be able to do otherwise," she said. "It allows us to get the conductors we want, the musicians we want."

About 600 volunteers are expected to take part in the four days of the festival. Encore volunteers continue to help QSOA during the year in such capacities as manning the ticket desk at concerts, serving as ushers and hosting receptions, Polett said.

"They put in so many volunteer hours. We just appreciate them so much," she said.

-- hwagner@whig.com/221-3374