-By Janet Revill-

Maryborough’s music scene has received a shot in the arm recently thanks to the new President of the Maryborough Regional Arts Council – Gillian French. Gillian has renewed and strengthened the ties she has with the Queensland Conservatorium to form a collaboration together with the Brolga Theatre to bring performances of a national standard to Maryborough over an initial 3-year performance schedule.

In May this year, the first performance was staged in style with sixty opera singers and orchestral musicians arriving at the Brolga Theatre to present excerpts from three operas. It was an ambitious and very successful program which attracted a large and rapt audience – some who had never experienced opera before.

The next performance to take place will be a concert by the Conservatorium Brass Band. Maryborough has a rich history of bands from marching military bands to concerts in the rotunda in Queens Park. The warmth of polished brass instruments, the lively, invigorating music and the camaraderie of the band members has always been an experience to uplift locals and tourists alike.

The concert at 2 pm on Sunday, September 8^th will be no exception. Conducted by the nationally renowned Howard Taylor, there will be rousing music from stage and movie themes including The Man from Snowy River, Batman and Phantom of the Opera plus a hauntingly beautiful organ symphony.

Another famous Maestro will conduct the third concert this year. Internationally renowned Johannes Fritsch will be at the helm of the Qld Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra at the Brolga on October 20^th. The repertoire will feature works by Mozart and Georges Lentz, but the highlight will be Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 which will be brought to dramatic life by Reuben Tsang – a winner at the 2023 International Piano Competition. For those who love the power and diversity of a large orchestra – this will be a concert not to miss!

Gillian’s experience is in business and marketing but having worked with Griffith University and having had connections to Musica Viva – she has seen the power of music in bringing life and energy to a community.

She has instigated a patron foundation with support from major corporate sponsors and individuals on the Fraser Coast which means the eternal struggle to produce major performances whilst still covering costs will now be eased. Each year she plans to work with the Conservatorium to bring all types of music to Maryborough whether this be classical, jazz, voice or musical theatre. All genres being studied at the Conservatorium will be possible future performances for Maryborough and workshops could also be offered for wind, strings, piano and conducting. Gillian is anticipating a maximum of three major signature concerts a year which will be staged at the Brolga Theatre on a weekend afternoon to give music lovers from all parts of the Wide Bay the ability to drive in the daytime and possibly enjoy other attractions in Maryborough at the same time. There is also the possibility of additional smaller events which could be staged at other venues in Maryborough.

For more details about upcoming concerts – check out Maryborough Regional Arts Council (MRAC) on Facebook and on the website (mrac.info). With Gillian French at the helm – we look forward to a variety of evocative and uplifting music in the years ahead.