MEDIA RELEASE
9 December 2014
Music heavyweights join Queensland Symphony Orchestra Board
With the applause only just quiet after the critical and commercial success of the extraordinary world premiere of Journey through the Cosmos led by international super star physicist Professor Brian Cox OBE, and the Grand Finale performance for Chief Conductor Johannes Fritzsch, Queensland Symphony Orchestra has welcomed two Directors to the Board.
QSO Chair Mr Greg Wanchap has announced that Australian music great Mr James Morrison AM and Professor
Margaret Barrett, Head of the School of Music at the University of Queensland, joined the Board in November.
The announcement is one of a number of heavy hitting recent corporate moves. Earlier in the year Mr Wanchap announced the appointment of Rod Pilbeam from AEG Ogden and Page Maxson from Australia Pacific LNG Pty Ltd to the Board. Following this, QSO Chief Executive Officer Ms Sophie Galaise announced a first for any Australian orchestra – that Shlomo Mintz, one of the world’s most acclaimed virtuoso violinists, would join QSO in 2015 as Soloist-in-Residence.
“The combination of James Morrison and Professor Margaret Barrett presents a more than formidable force for QSO,” said Mr Wanchap. “It is an absolute coup to have them both accept Director positions and the entire Orchestra looks forward to the years ahead; it promises to be an exciting ride for all involved,” he said.
James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano. He is a critically acclaimed international performer, an inspiring leader, a tireless educator and a true ‘great’ in the Australian music and entertainment world.
He has been recognized for his service to the arts in Australia by being awarded a medal of The Order of Australia by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with particular mention of his contribution to music education. He is a Doctor of the University at Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the Artistic Director of the Queensland Music Festival.
Professor Margaret Barrett has been Head of the School of Music at the University of Queensland since 2008, with prior academic positions being Director of Research and Associate Head of School in the Faculty of Education at the University of Tasmania. She has served as President of the International Society for Music Education (2012 – 2014), Chair of the World Alliance for Arts Education (2013 – 2014), Chair of the Asia-Pacific Symposium for Music Education Research (2009 – 2011), is an elected member of the Board of the International Society for Music Education (2008 – 2010), and National President of the Australian Society for Music Education (1999 – 2001). Currently she is a Director of the Australian Music Centre (AMC) and a member of the advisory board of the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).
“The appointment of Mr Morrison and Professor Barrett tops off what has already been an extraordinary year for the QSO in terms of our acclaimed program and our special events. The two bring an incredible wealth of experience across music and education to our company, and with our 2015 Season dubbed the Superstar Series, we can’t wait to listen to our future!” said Mr Wanchap.
Kath Rose - Queensland Symphony Orchestra T: (07) 3357 9054 M: 0416 291 493 E: kath@kathrose.com
