Celebrating 75 years of fine music making

As Queensland Symphony Orchestra marks its 75th birthday, we look back on the Orchestra’s rich history, and towards its future.

On 26 March 1947, the 45-member Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) performed its debut concert to 2,5000 classical music lovers in Brisbane City Hall under the baton of guest conductor Percy Code. This was a defining moment for music in Queensland, marking the beginning of a new era of music-making in the state and the start of a journey for the Orchestra that has made it the largest, and one of the best-loved, performing arts companies in the state.   

2022 notches up another significant milestone for the QSO as it celebrates its 75th birthday; this week presenting a major performance in the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall. The 75th Birthday Concert will highlight both the history and future of Queensland’s state orchestra, featuring guest artists, interviews with musicians and historical imagery.

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Suzannah Conway is an experienced arts administrator, having been CEO of Opera Queensland, the Brisbane Riverfestival and the Centenary of Federation celebrations for Queensland. She is a freelance arts writer and has been writing reviews and articles for over 20 years, regularly reviewing classical music, opera and musical theatre in particular for The Australian and Limelight magazine as well as other journals. Most recently she was Arts Hub's Brisbane-based Arts Feature Writer.