Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra
The Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is a community orchestra based in Brisbane, Australia which performs a wide variety of orchestral works.
The BPO performs several concerts each year at venues including the Brisbane City Hall, and the Old Museum Building, Brisbane. The orchestra also tours regionally throughout Queensland on occasion.
Entry to the BPO is by audition and it is the only community orchestra within the city that rotates guest conductors by invitation rather than establishing a permanent Music Director. The organisation is administered by an executive committee elected by the members each year. The members are involved voluntarily in all facets of the organisation such as concert production, marketing and promotion, auditions, and social events.
History
The orchestra was formed in 1999 with only 18 musicians. In 2000, the orchestra changed its name to the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. The BPO started presenting annual subscription seasons from 2001. In 2005, the orchestra received an honourable recognition at the National Orchestral Awards,[1] the first Queensland community orchestra to have received such a mention. The orchestra will present its 20th annual subscription season in 2020.
In addition to performing in its own right, the orchestra has also appeared in many popular music festivals. The orchestra has regularly participated in the Queensland Music Festival, and is a long-standing contributor to the 4MBS Festival of Classics.
Past featured artists
Conductors
- Werner Andreas Albert
- John Curro AM MBE
- Philip Davis
- Sean O'Boyle (composer)
- Chen Yang
- Sergei Korshmin
- Peter Luff
- Leo McFadden
- David Law
- Steven Moore
- Michael Keen
- Russell Gray
- Paul Dean
- Nicholas Cleobury
Musicians
- William Barton (didgeridoo)
- James Cuddeford (violin)
- Deborah Humble (mezzo-soprano)
- Rosario La Spina (tenor)
- Sara Macliver (soprano)
- Katie Noonan (singer-songwriter)
- Markus Stocker (cello)
- Melinda Stocker (violin)
- Karin Schaupp (guitar)
Other artists
- Tama Matheson (actor)
- Barry Otto (actor)
References
- Elliott, Rachelle. "2005 TOAN National Orchestral Awards" Archived March 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. The Orchestras of Australia Network, 2005. 2.