Bringing musical experiences to Regional Queensland

September 2020

The size and location of regional communities can be a factor in the kind of education, artistic and cultural opportunities available to its residents. As the State’s sole professional symphony orchestra and its largest performing arts company, QSO is committed to creating extraordinary musical experiences for communities across the state.

In 2016, funding from The John Villiers Trust enabled QSO to engage with communities in Atherton, Ayr, Bundaberg, Cairns, Caloundra, Gordonvale, Kuranda, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville. The Program complements QSO’s regional concerts and is made up of Regional Workshops, Instrument Demonstrations and Choral Workshops.

Regional Workshops are designed to complement Queensland’s instrumental and classroom music experiences for students and community musicians.

Interactive educational activities include “meet the musician sessions” (providing an opportunity to learn about life as a professional musician), side by side workshops where students have the opportunity to play as an ensemble with QSO musicians, and high school workshop rehearsals with QSO musicians. The program also includes instrument demonstrations to primary school students.

These interactive performances bring the QSO to schools in smaller communities that don’t have easy access to our regional performances.

Because of the funding received from The John Villiers Trust, QSO can continue to champion music education and connect with communities by creating extraordinary musical experiences that resonate with music lovers across our home State of Queensland.