About Us
59 YEARS OF THE BRISBANE CONCERT ORCHESTRA
As Queensland's longest-running community orchestra, the Brisbane Concert Orchestra (BCO) continues to captivate audiences with electrifying performances that blend both classical mastery and popular favourites. Since its formation in 1966 by the visionary Australian conductor John Curro AM MBE, BCO has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of south-east Queensland, originally serving as the resident orchestra for the Warana Festival, now celebrated as the Brisbane Festival.
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BCO's rich history has seen it rise to prominence, including a landmark 50th Anniversary gala at Brisbane City Hall that sold out to a packed auditorium. Today, under the inspired direction of Musical Director Matthew Schwarz, appointed in 2015, the orchestra has flourished into a vibrant 70-member ensemble. Loved for its versatile sound and enthusiastic performances, BCO keeps a full calendar with three major concerts each year at premier venues, alongside the much-loved Kiddies Cushion Concert, a hit with young audiences.
MATTHEW SCHWARZ
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Matthew Schwarz is a Brisbane-based conductor and arts administrator whose passion for music-making is matched only by his commitment to its transformative impact on the community. He has led orchestras at prestigious stages and events, including the International World Forum on Music, the State of Origin, and at festivals such as the Tyalgum Music Festival.
Recognized for his dynamic energy and enthusiasm, Matthew became the Musical Director of the Brisbane Concert Orchestra—Queensland's longest-standing community orchestra—at just twenty-one years old in 2015. Since taking the helm, he has guided the orchestra to sold-out performances of both classical and pops repertoire at venues throughout Brisbane.
A devoted opera enthusiast, Matthew is the General Manager and Co-Founder of Voxalis Opera, Brisbane’s second opera company. Since its inception in 2021, Voxalis has evolved from a recital series into a company celebrated for its critically acclaimed fully-staged productions. Matthew's operatic repertoire includes conducting works such as Hansel and Gretel, Don Giovanni, Bastien und Bastienne, Roberto Devereux, Maria Stuarda, and excerpts from Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, where he studied under Dr. Josephine Jin. During his studies, he gained invaluable experience under the mentorship of renowned conductors including John Curro, Guy Noble, Dr. Peter Morris, and Johannes Fritzsch as part of an internship with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
In 2017, Matthew conducted a memorable performance of Beethoven's Violin Concerto, featuring Warwick Adeney, Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, to raise funds for beyondblue.
A graduate of the Queensland Leaders Future Leaders program, Matthew previously served as Chief Conductor and President of the Queensland Philharmonia Orchestra, an ensemble he co-founded with fellow students of the Queensland Conservatorium. During his tenure with QPO, he led a wide-ranging repertoire, from grand symphonic pieces like Mahler's Titan Symphony No. 1 to ballet seasons with QUT, as well as premiering numerous commissioned works by Australian composers.
