Students from the School of Music have completed internship programs with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland.
Claire Weatherhead (violin) and Sean Burke (tuba) successfully auditioned for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Musical Internship program, continuing the partnership between the School and Queensland’s largest performing arts company.
Claire and Sean were mentored by members of the orchestra both behind the scenes and within the orchestra for a range of rehearsals and performances.
“The internship with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra has been both rewarding and challenging at the same time,” said 4th year Bachelor of Music (Honours) student Sean Burke.
“It’s been exciting playing with a professional orchestra to produce a high-quality performance in a short space of time. The industry learning experience has been amazing!”
“As Queensland’s largest performing arts company, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra takes its relationship with the Brisbane community and music education very seriously,” said the orchestra’s Director of Orchestra Management Matthew Farrell.
“The Orchestra has an established Internship program for undergraduate music students and University of Queensland music students are able to enjoy the special benefits this brings through UQ’s partnership with the Orchestra.”
Singers Emma Burridge and Genevieve Nolan interned with Opera Queensland, working within the marketing, learning, development, and wardrobe departments. The internees also experienced spending time in the rehearsal room for the company’s upcoming season of Graham Murphy’s new production of The Merry Widow.
“Interning with Opera Queensland has been an invaluable experience because I have learned from behind the scenes what it takes to run an organisation in the performing arts, which makes me a better performer on stage,” said Genevieve, a fourth year Bachelor of Music (Honours)/Bachelor of Arts student.
“I believe that it is vital for aspiring singers and young artists to have an understanding of the breadth of work that goes into taking a performance from page to stage,” said Mark Taylor, Head of Learning, Regional and Community at Opera Queensland.
UQ School of Music’s Director of Performance and Engagement Dr. Warwick Potter said, “Through these internship programs, the School’s young professionals will gain significant insight into life as a professional musician. UQ is delighted to continue to partner with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland, and the School looks forward to a deepening relationship in the times to come.”
