Youth orchestra to perform free shows in Dalby and Kingaroy

Globally renowned conductor Rob McWilliams will lead the Queensland Youth Orchestra next weekend in Dalby and Kingaroy, putting on a show with local musicians to showcase their skills.

The Queensland Youth Orchestra will perform two special shows in Dalby and Kingaroy next weekend as part of efforts to foster the next generation of young musicians.

Under the baton of esteemed Queensland Youth Orchestra Conductor Rob McWilliams who has played globally in the United States, Japan, Europe and China the concerts will bring the magic of orchestral music to regional areas.

“We recently did a tour with a smaller group to some local schools and met with their music students so the idea was to return with a large group and do a performance for the community and schools that we work shopped with,” Mr McWilliams said.

“A lot of students and people in regional areas don't necessarily get access to these performances as easily as those in the city, it is also very good for the team to get out, get away from the city and work together on a project like this, It helps with the collaboration and bonding of the players.”

The Queensland Youth Orchestra will come to Dalby and Kingaroy

Mr McWilliams said he was impressed with the musical talent on display in South West Queensland.

“We were very impressed with some of the young students who were on the path to learning instruments and achieving great things, it is exciting to see the great talent emerging in these regional areas,” he said.

“They don't necessarily get the same access or the same opportunities as musicians in a larger city but they are succeeding because they are knuckling down and working hard, alongside having great teachers.

“As a young student you look at people who are a lot older and have been trained to a high level and there’s a disconnect, but what’s nice about taking a youth group is that the students look at the people playing and say well those people are a similar age to me and are in school or university but they are still actively playing music.”

Mr McWilliams said they had an exciting program planned.

“Audiences can expect a very listenable program, what I mean by that is it is good quality music, enjoyable at the first hearing and it is not something you need to have a deep understand of music to enjoy,” he said.

“We will also have some of the local students on our small group tour join us in one of the pieces we are going to play, it is important to involve some of the local students.”

The free concerts will be held at the Dalby State High School Performing Arts Theatre at 1.30pm Saturday July 26 and the Kingaroy Performing Arts Centre at 11am on July 27.