Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
Umberto Clerici, conductor
Dvořák Symphony No. 7 in D minor, op.70
Beethoven Overture to Egmont, op.84
Friday 5 December 2025, 7:30pm
Conservatorium Theatre
Director’s Introduction
Professor Bernard Lanskey
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra’s final concert of 2025—an evening that celebrates both the culmination of a year’s dedicated artistry and the promise of what lies ahead. Tonight’s program brings together two monumental works: Beethoven’s Egmont Overture, with its stirring narrative of courage and liberation, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, a masterpiece of symphonic drama, lyricism, and Bohemian spirit. These works challenge and inspire our young musicians, offering them opportunities to explore orchestral colour, emotional depth, and the joy of shared musical purpose.
We are deeply honoured to be joined this evening by Umberto Clerici, Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. His leadership, insight, and warmth have brought a special energy to this project, and the students have benefitted immensely from his musicianship. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Maestro Clerici for guiding this performance with such generosity and vision.
Director’s Introduction (cont.)
Professor Bernard Lanskey
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Natsuko Yoshimoto, Concertmaster of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, whose expertise and mentorship throughout the rehearsal process have been invaluable. Her work with our students—both in shaping ensemble cohesion and modelling professional artistry—has greatly enriched their experience.
Finally, thank you to all of you, our dedicated audience, for your continued support of Conservatorium events. Your presence affirms the vital role of live performance in our community. We look forward to welcoming you again for an inspiring and vibrant 2026 season.
Program
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Overture to Egmont Op.84 (1810)
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Symphony No. 7 in D minor, Op.70, B.141 (1885)
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work.
We pay respect to the Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
Concert Masters
Beethoven
Luke Hammer*
Dvořák
Yuro Lee*
Violin 1
Lydia Hwang
Lily Song
Sophia Di Lucchio
Emily Thompson
Siobhan Mewes
Miles Le Goullon
Edison Richard
Theodore Aitcheson
Claire Yeung
Lauren Mellor
Violin 2
Beethoven
Ingram Fan *
Dvořák
Jonah Spriggs *
Melissa Buddle
Mirage Hunter Demecs
Ally Liu
Madison Sim
Layla Mertz
Eve Scott
Teresa Kao
Sophie Shih
Amalie Grime
Jade Leong
Viola
Beethoven
Harriet Dykes *
Dvořák
Jasmine Smith *
Jessica Fouche
Liam Holbrook
Dylan Weder
Alyssa Deacon
Brooke Shim
Emily Lee Alex Arthur
Cello
Beethoven
Caleb Christian *
Dvořák
Stirling Hall *
Laura Boon
Milo Duval
Ai Hasegawa
Liam Gane
Emma Seedell-Greene
Masato Matsumoto
Kathryn Phun ~
Aaron Goldburg ~
Alivia Kenwrick ~
*Principal ~ Dvořák only
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (cont’d)
Bass
Rio Kawaguchi *
Sophia Buchanan
Oliver Murphy
Deakin Darby
Cooper Le Brocq
Hilary Davis
Emma Meixner ~
Daniel Wilesmith ~
Jessica Clarke ~
Flute
Beethoven
Keisha Neale *
Laura Skorzewski
Dvořák
Nathan Smith *
Amy Tashjian
Oboe
Logan Nutley *
Gabby Knight
Clarinet
Beethoven
Angel Stevens *
Gabrielle Thompson
Dvořák
Hamish Cassidy *
Bianca Cassiano
Bassoon
Zane Lai *
Ethan Henke
Horn Beethoven
Hannah McLellan*
Dvořák
Lachlan Smith *
Thomas Ferreira-Montague
Zachary Hayes
Trumpet Beethoven
Melissa Davies *
Ethan Kircher
Dvořák
Megan Barber *
Melissa Davies
Trombone
Nicholas Lord *
Dana Day
Bass Trombone
Ethan Parfoot *
Timpani
Connor Dineen *
*Principal ~ Dvořák only
Conductor
Umberto Clerici
After a career spanning more than 20 years as a gifted cello soloist and orchestral musician, Umberto Clerici has consolidated his diverse artist achievements to rapid acclaim as a conductor. Umberto is now the Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
Umberto began his career as a virtuoso cellist making his solo debut at the age of 17 performing Haydn’s D Major cello concerto in Japan. After years of performing on the stages of the world’s most prestigious concert halls, Umberto took up the position as Principal cello of the Teatro Regio di Torino following which he was Principal Cello of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2014 to 2021. It was in Sydney in 2018 that Umberto made his conducting debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. Following a swift trajectory of prestigious conducting engagements, Umberto is now in high demand across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
Conductor (cont’d)
In addition to his role Chief Conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Umberto's recent conducting engagements include Elgar’s cello concerto with Steven Isserlis for the Volksoper Vienna, and debuts with Orchestra del Teatro Massimo in Palermo and Orchestra Regionale Toscana. Umberto has also curated a three-week series with the Sydney Symphony for ‘Symphony Hour’ and returned to the podiums of the Dunedin, Melbourne and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.
In November 2024, Queensland Symphony Orchestra announced the extension of Umberto’s Chief Conductorship until the end of their Season 2027.
Highlights in 2025 include conducting Daniil Trifonov playing Rachmaninov’s Piano concerto No.3 with New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, a return to Teatro Massimo in Palermo and his second collaboration with Opera Queensland for which Umberto conducted Puccini’s La Boheme.
Conductor (cont’d)
As a cellist, Umberto remains beloved by audiences worldwide, having performed internationally as a soloist at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Vienna’s Musicverein, the Great Shostakovich Hall of St Petersburg, Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, the Salzburg Festival and is one of only two Italians to have ever won a prize for cello in the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition.
Umberto plays cellos by Matteo Goffriller (made in 1722, Venezia) and Carlo Antonio Testore (made in 1758, Milano).
QLD Conservatorium
Director
Professor Bernard Lanskey
Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching)
Associate Professor
Donna Weston
Deputy Director (Research)
Professor Brydie-Leigh
Bartleet
Head of Ensembles & Orchestral Conducting
Professor Peter Morris
Head of Strings
Associate Professor Michele
Walsh
Head of Woodwinds
Associate Professor
Tim Munro
Head of Brass
Dr Ben Marks
Head of Percussion
Professor Vanessa Tomlinson
Head of Composition
Dr Gerardo Dirie
Head of Classical Voice
Assoc. Prof. Margaret Schindler
Conservatorium Manager
Stuart Jones
Front of House
Operations Manager
Michael Hibbard
Executive Officer (Engagement)
Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox
Technical Team Leader
Cameron Hipwell
Program Coordinator (Ensembles) & Orchestra
Manager
Daniel Fossi
Operations Administrator
Clare Wharton
Technical Officers
Keith Clark
Amy Hauser
Len McPherson
Venue Officers
Grace Royle
Tim Tate
Joshua White
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.
Queensland Conservatorium thanks all of our generous donors and supporters.
Queensland Conservatorium would like to acknowledge our instrument bank donors who support the following students in tonight’s performance.
Jani Haenke collection, purchased with the support of the Jani Haenke Charitable Trust
Theodore Aitcheson, Violin 1 Jonah Spriggs, Violin 2 Liam Gane, Cello
Laura Skorzewski, Flute
Boustred Violin, loaned by Maggie and Mike Goodfellow
Emily Thompson
Ada Keyes Violin, loaned by David Graham
Mirage Hunter Demecs
Special Thanks (cont.)
Oppenheim Violin, loaned by Professor Glen Gole
Miles Le Goullon
Rosemary Davies Viola, loaned by Nicholas Davies
Jasmine Smith
Widow Twanky Cello, on permanent loan by Jenny Moore
Laura Boon
Special thanks to Natsuko Yoshimoto, Concertmaster of Queensland Symphony Orchestra for her assistance throughout the rehearsal process.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.
Philanthropy plays a vital role at Queensland Conservatorium. Only through your support can our students experience valuable learning opportunities through productions such as this one. To invest in the future of music and performance in Queensland, contact us on +61 (0)7 5552 7218 or email giving@griffith.edu.au
Queensland Conservatorium thanks our generous donors and supporters. We would like to acknowledge our instrument bank donors supporting the students in tonight’s performance.
Make a donation
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
140 Grey Street, South Bank 4101 Concert enquiries: (07) 3735 6241 griffith.edu.au/music griffith.edu.au/queenslandconservatorium queenslandconservatorium.com.au
_ Griffith
Archival footage shown is Public Domain and royalty-free. All information correct at time of publication
