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| Queensland Music Festival | |
|---|---|
| Name | Queensland Music Festival |
| Location | Queensland, Australia |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Founders | David Francis |
| Genre | Classical, contemporary, folk, Indigenous, jazz, world |
Queensland Music Festival is a biennial arts festival held across Queensland that presents a broad program of classical music, contemporary music, Indigenous Australian music, jazz, and world music. The festival links metropolitan hubs such as Brisbane and Cairns with regional and remote communities including Townsville, Mackay, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, and Bundaberg. It commissions new works, stages large-scale public events, and partners with organisations such as the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, QAGOMA, and community arts centres.
The festival was established in 1999 by arts producer David Francis with early partnerships involving the Queensland Government (Australia), Australia Council for the Arts, and local councils in the wake of cultural initiatives like Brisbane Festival and Woodford Folk Festival. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s the festival commissioned composers from organisations such as Opera Australia, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring, and the Australian String Quartet and presented projects linked to institutions including Queensland Theatre Company and State Library of Queensland. Major iterations incorporated works by artists associated with The Go-Betweens, Powderfinger, Kate Miller-Heidke, Vika and Linda Bull, and Indigenous artists tied to Bangarra Dance Theatre and Yothu Yindi. The festival evolved amid arts funding changes tied to the Australia Council and state policy shifts reflected in cultural events like Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Governance has involved a board with members drawn from cultural institutions such as Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, and representatives from local government areas including Gold Coast City Council and Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Executive leadership has included artistic directors and CEOs who previously worked with organisations like Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Sydney Opera House. Funding sources have historically included the Queensland Government arts portfolios, philanthropic trusts such as the Ian Potter Foundation, corporate partners including Telstra and Qantas, and in-kind media partnerships with ABC Radio National and Triple J.
The festival programmes commissions, premieres, site-specific works, and family events, collaborating with ensembles including the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, Southern Cross Soloists, Elysium Ensemble, and choirs like Cantillation and Voices of Birralee. Signature events have included outdoor spectacles akin to Vivid Sydney light-music collaborations, large-scale community sings inspired by projects such as Carols by Candlelight, and cross-disciplinary productions in partnership with Brisbane Powerhouse and Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Specialized strands have linked to festivals such as MONA FOMA and initiatives like Regional Arts Australia touring programs and the National Indigenous Music Awards.
Performances take place in major venues such as Brisbane Powerhouse, QPAC, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Trades Hall, and the Queensland Art Gallery precinct, as well as regional spaces including Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre, Townsville Civic Theatre, Cairns Convention Centre, and remote community halls in the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula. Touring components have partnered with local organisations like Regional Arts Development Fund committees, Country Arts WA-style networks, and indigenous community centres associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts providers.
The festival has featured artists and ensembles such as Gurrumul Yunupingu, Sia Furler (early career appearances), Paul Kelly, John Butler Trio, Sarah Blasko, Sarah Blasko, The Waifs, The Cat Empire, Aria Award nominees and winners, and classical performers linked to Australian National Academy of Music alumni and visiting international artists from institutions like the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. Commissioned composers have included those associated with Brett Dean, Carl Vine, Liza Lim, and Ross Edwards, while collaborative projects have involved creatives from Bangarra Dance Theatre, Belvoir St Theatre, and Cirque du Soleil alumni.
Education programs have been delivered in partnership with institutions such as Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane State High School, and community music organisations including Big hART and Music Viva Australia. Outreach initiatives have run composer workshops with Australian Youth Orchestra participants, school residencies modeled on Keep Australia Beautiful-style community projects, and mentorships connecting emerging artists from First Nations communities with industry bodies such as APRA AMCOS and ARIA-affiliated labels. The festival’s community choirs, youth ensembles, and participatory events have mirrored national arts education efforts exemplified by Play School-linked music education and regional arts development programs.
The festival and its productions have received nominations and awards from bodies such as the Helpmann Awards, APRA Music Awards, ARIA Music Awards, and recognition from state cultural honour lists like the Queensland Greats awards and local government cultural grants. Individual artists presented by the festival have gone on to receive honours including Order of Australia listings, Member of the Order of Australia appointments, and industry accolades from Music Victoria Awards and the National Live Music Awards.
Category:Music festivals in Queensland