The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) Academy is a critical program to ensure the sustainability of professional musicianship in Australia. The QSO Academy lays the groundwork for aspiring pre-professional musicians to step into an orchestral career through intense preparation and training including masterclasses and lessons with globally renowned artists, mentorship from QSO musicians, and the opportunity ...
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Queensland Symphony Orchestra Academy
GOAL
$15,000
Australia > QLD > Metro and Regional
02/03/2025 > 08/02/2024
Field of Interest
- Arts and culture
- Education/training and employment
Target Population
- Young people (6-25)
- Not applicable
Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Queensland Symphony Orchestra's (QSO) mission is to be an Orchestra for everyone, creating extraordinary musical experiences that resonate within and beyond our home state of Queensland. QSO is the largest performing arts company in Queensland, delivering concerts, education and professional development opportunities in both metropolitan and regional communities. QSO also provides pit services for Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet and visiting professional arts companies.
QSO aspires to shape the cultural landscape of Queensland and be shaped by Queensland itself. QSO is porous to the influence of identity, environment, diversity and community that comes to the Orchestra through its deep and lasting connection to the whole of Queensland. QSO takes seriously that we are not named after our capital city alone.
QSO is driven by four pillars of Artistic Ambition, Organisational Culture, Business Evolution, and Access and Equity. Access and Equity is at the core of our mission, and we will achieve this through growth in regional touring, best-practice education programs and First Nations engagement.
Project Summary
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) Academy is a critical program to ensure the sustainability of professional musicianship in Australia.
The QSO Academy lays the groundwork for aspiring pre-professional musicians to step into an orchestral career through intense preparation and training including masterclasses and lessons with globally renowned artists, mentorship from QSO musicians, and the opportunity to play in chamber and orchestral performances, including mainstage, opera and ballet productions and regional programs.
Importantly, QSO Academy musicians earn a stipend during their involvement in the Program and are not required to pay a fee to participate.
The Academy further develops participant’s technical skills already present from high-level tertiary study, as well as provide insights into career management and preparation for auditions – helping to develop sustainable and rewarding careers.
QSO established the Academy in 2023 to address the need for skills development and career support identified in the national research project ‘Making Music Work: Sustainable Portfolio Careers for Australian Musicians’ (2015-19).
Project Outcomes
Through the Academy, QSO aspires to ensure the sustainability of professional orchestral musicianship. QSO will achieve this by providing a unique and critical professional development opportunity for seven aspiring pre-professional musicians, annually.
Musicians participating in the QSO Academy will gain valuable experience to help them secure and sustain a career as an Orchestral musician. In addition to performance opportunities and skills development, they will learn how to:
- audition
- balance a varying schedule that may include performing, touring and teaching
- support the philanthropic activities of a professional arts company.
The QSO Academy has now seen two years of Alumni complete the program. Their feedback demonstrates that the Academy is fulfilling QSO's aims. For example, 2023 QSO Academy Alumna, Ella Beard, stated at the completion of her time in the program " I think it's really changed the way that I approach making music. You don't get that sort of industry insight by standing in a practice room and doing hours and hours of scales. So, I really feel much better equipped and informed to have a career in music."
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $108,749
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| QSO Supporters (donors) (confirmed) | $30,000 |
| QSO contribution (unconfirmed) | $63,749 |
| Funding Gap (unconfirmed) | $15,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Participant stipends + super | $73,172 |
| QSO mentorship & training activity | $14,303 |
| QSO program administration | $13,906 |
| Culiminate Chamber Concert | $7,368 |
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