A Message from our Artistic Director, Dr Ryan Williams:

 

Dear QMO Fans,

I hope this email finds you well. Life has been challenging for all of us living under the 'Home Confinement' restrictions over the past few weeks, and I can only imagine how difficult it has been for those of you with loved ones in countries overseas heavily affected by COVID.

As doctors, we are encouraged by the 'flattening of the curve' and the low number of new cases - especially here in Queensland. As citizens, we are encouraged by the Prime Minister's recent announcement of a '3-Step Plan for a COVID-Safe Australia'. However, Step 3 of this Plan only allows for 'non-work gatherings' or 100 people. For our Mid-Year 10th Anniversary Gala Concert, we need an audience of nearly 1000 to fill Brisbane City Hall - from an entertainment and financial point of view. In view of these limitations - plus the fact that there is no guarantee that we would even progress to Step 3 by the concert date of June 21, the QMO Executive has made the heartbreaking but necessary and correct decision to postpone the Mid-Year 10th Anniversary Gala Concert.

A Gala concert like the one we WANT to have deserves to have a full audience of people who are confident of their health and safety and focussed on the entertainment. Ultimately we don't feel we can deliver that this year :(

At this stage, there are positive signs that we may be able to hold the concert in City Hall next year, and we are still crossing all fingers and toes that we will at least be able to take the stage for our Christmas Concert  (what a celebration THAT will be!) and we do have the chamber music concert in mid October which has a maximum capacity of 200 people.

This will be sad news for many of you. As the Conductor of the QMO/QMC, I cannot tell you how much I was looking forward to celebrating all the great music and charitable work we have done over the past 10 years. However, the safety of our audience is always our first priority. After all, we are the Queensland MEDICAL Orchestra/Choir. As soon as we know anything about any potential performances later this year, we will be in touch.

Please 'like' and 'follow' us on Instagram and Facebook to be kept up to date with all the latest news. You can also relive our concerts on our Youtube Channel, where all 2018 and 2019 concerts have been uploaded for your enjoyment.. 

From all of the QMO Executive, we wish you health and happiness through this difficult time and hope that you are still keeping music a part of your lives. Doctor's orders!

With warm regards on behalf of the QMO Executive,
Dr Ryan Williams