Queensland Symphony Orchestra recently travelled to Gladstone with its QSO Connect Ensemble – a 13-piece group designed to provide access for regional audiences to concert experiences and community and educational engagement across the State. Gladstone was the first community to trial this touring model, which this year will reach communities around Queensland from the Atherton Tablelands in the North to Roma in the South West.
In an ambitious couple of days, instrumental music students from five Gladstone region high schools worked intensively in band and string orchestra groups with QSO-supplied conductors and in tutorials with QSO musicians. This culminated in a concert at Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre, where students performed side-by-side with QSO members. The QSO Connect Ensemble performed a bracket of Classical arrangements and original music. During the visit, primary school instrumental students attended band and strings workshops with conductors and were able to hear the Ensemble in performance.
The Gladstone program is supported by Australia Pacific LNG operated by ConocoPhillips, and also includes Professional Development opportunities for teachers, STEM Meets Symphony activities with CQ University and an annual free outdoor Symphony Under the Stars performance with the full Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
The Orchestra’s visit to Gladstone followed on from the recent news of two new appointments to the QSO team: Yarmila Alfonzetti as Chief Executive, and Maestro Umberto Clerici as Chief Conductor Designate.