Main Photograph (c) Stephen Henry

This concert was slightly different. Firstly, the conductor was from Scotland. Secondly, he is not responsible for the QSO. Thirdly, he didn’t choose the pieces to play. So what was his job? To bring to life the music selected by the QSO’s audiences.

And Douglas Boyd did that brilliantly. The QSO responded to his leadership. His light touch on the volume kept the light and shade as visible as colours. At a touch, the volume went up a little, then a lot, then scaled down to a whisper. Friday night, QSO produced magical music.

The QSO, back from Christmas holidays, introduced us to Jessica Wells “Uplift”.  Jessica, born in Florida, USA, is based in Sydney, where she composes and arranges pieces for film and orchestras. Did you see “Mozart’s Sister? That was her music. She was in the audience Friday night to enjoy the QSO play “Uplift” that started with the despair of COVID and then lifted us out of it.

(c) Photograph Stephen Henry

Patrick Phillips, year 11 at Brisbane State High School (BSHS), played Elgar’s cello concerto, which was made famous by Jacqueline du Pré. He won the QSO 2025 Young Instrumentalist Prize. Part of this prize was to play with the full QSO. Friday night was the first time he’d performed with a full orchestra. His performance of Elgar’s cello concerto was a huge step for an already accomplished cellist.

Add the comfort of Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers”, Beethoven’s First Movement of his Pastoral Symphony, No. 6 and the exhilaration of Coates’ “Dam Busters March” and it’s easy to see why the audience went home delighted.

Ed Le Brocq was the night’s Master of Ceremonies. He brought his normal flair and diplomacy to the event, introducing “Uplift” and commenting that the Governor, Dr Jeanette Young and her husband were in the audience. He called our attention to how she, in her previous role as Chief Medical Officer, lifted us out of COVID. The audience spontaneously supported her work with gratitude and good cheer.

Overall, it was a delightful evening.  Some audience members commented on the joy it brought them as they skipped down the stairs to get their 50 cent bus ride home. Sometimes, we need more joy. And the next day, the stories were still spreading across Brisbane. A night with the QSO is magical.

The QSO is ours to enjoy. Do look at more events in their “Feel Every Note” program for 2026 at: https://qso.com.au/tickets/2026-packages