The University of Queensland Symphony Orchestra (UQSO) is conducted by Dane Lam and is one of the southern hemisphere’s leading youth ensembles. It is comprised mainly of students from the Bachelor of Music (Honours) program and includes performers from other schools within the University, making the orchestra a truly collaborative ensemble.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes full symphonic works, concertos with students, staff or guest soloists, compositions by students of the School, and repertoire related to conducting workshops. Combined choral/orchestral performances take place together with UQ vocal ensembles and invited secondary school performance partners.
UQSO has an important orchestral heritage in Queensland. In September 1939, prominent Brisbane musician Dr Robert Dalley-Scarlett combined his community orchestra with UQ student musicians to perform at a University Revue. One of the student members who performed that night, Joan Osborn, recalled that newsboys were shouting “Germany invades Poland” on the night. In the 1950s, medical student Ralph Schureck formed a University Orchestra. Later the orchestra was bequeathed to the care of Hugh Brandon and Gordon Spearritt. The foundations for the current Orchestra at The School of Music were laid in the early 1970s under Professor Noel Nickson.