Queensland Symphony Orchestra is heading west

Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is ready to hit the road again – this time it’s taking the QSO Connect Ensemble west from 13 to 17 September as part of the Chinchilla Miles Roma Tara Enrichment through Music (CMRT) Initiative, an innovative partnership with Australia Pacific LNG operated by Origin Energy.

 The program allows QSO to deliver quality music education and concert experiences to the students, teachers and communities of Western Queensland. And they love it!

This unique annual regional tour sees QSO collaborate with local schools in each town, delivering workshops with students and professional development sessions for teachers, as well as playing side-by-side with community bands in Roma and Chinchilla. Free concerts for students will be performed in all four communities.

This September, Community in Concert performances in Roma and Chinchilla will celebrate the joy of music, featuring pieces by Bizet, Handel and Ravel, alongside performances with community and school musicians.

 2021 is the fifth year that QSO has toured under this program, having not been able to visit last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra Director – Artistic Planning Timothy Matthies Said:

QSO is powered by music and is passionate about sharing the joy of making music and celebrating music. We take our role as the state’s orchestra very seriously, and we look forward each year to working with the teachers, students and local communities of regional Queensland. Already more than 1,600 students and community band members have participated in the CMRT Initiative and over the past five tours; the QSO Connect Ensemble has performed 26 concerts to 5,992 students and audience members.

This year we look forward to performing side-by-side with Maranoa Music, Roma Strings, Wallum billa State School Concert Band, Roma State College and St John’s College Roma bands, Chinchilla Concert Band, Chinchilla Strings, Chinchilla Christian College Band and Chinchilla State High School.

Australia Pacific LNG Stakeholder and Advocacy Manager Fraser Power Said:

The on-going relationship with the Orchestra is one that continues to benefit the community at large.

Australia Pacific LNG is delighted to partner with Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Our joint partnership brings the musicians of the Orchestra into the regional areas of southern Queensland. This program provides education in music to students at many schools, and also provides community concerts to the residents of those towns. We’re had great feedback from students and members of the community.

QSO Section Principal Flute Alison Mitchell toured with the QSO Wind Quintet in March 2021 and is looking forward to returning in the second half of the year.

It’s a great joy to be on the CMRT tour. The audiences are so receptive to our performances, and I love working together with the students. Our synergy in these communities is incredibly important and I’m really proud to take part.

Mr Matthies Said:

The CMRT Initiative was an extension of the successful Gladstone Enrichment through Music Initiative (GEM), which has been running since 2011 thanks to major funding from Australia Pacific LNG.

We are thrilled we can undertake this tour each year, with so many wonderful connections made with teachers, students and the local community. We are grateful for the support of our Principal Partner, Australia Pacific LNG, who has made it possible for us to travel and connect with musicians around Queensland.

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Season Details

Venue: Roma Bungil Cultural Centre, Roma
Date: 13 to 17-Sept-21

For more information click HERE