Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra
CONCERTOS FESTIVAL Friday 7th August 2026 | 7:30pm
CRICOS: 00233E | TEQSA: PRV12076
Credit: Nick Morrissey
Peter Luff, Conductor, Isabella Gerometta, Assistant Conductor QSO Studios, South Brisbane
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.
Program Brahms: Concerto in D major for Violin & Orchestra, op.77 (1st movement) Lisa Smith Villa Lobos: Concerto for Guitar & Small Orchestra, A501 (1st & 2nd movements) Angus Smith Glière: Concerto in B-flat major for Horn & Orchestra (2nd & 3rd movements) Thomas Ferreira-Montague INTERVAL
Bartók: Concerto No. 1 for Piano & Orchestra BB 91 (1st movement) Artemii Safonov Isabella Gerometta, Conductor Sibelius: Concerto in D minor for Violin & Orchestra, op.47 (full concerto) Lily Song
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra The Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra consists of approximately 90 of the most talented young instrumentalists in Queensland. The orchestra, from its home at the Griffith University South Bank campus, performs an annual series of orchestral concerts, large choral works, and operatic and musical theatre productions, in addition to a range of creative collaborations both on site as well as in the wider community. Students in the Queensland Conservatorium orchestral program have the unique opportunity to perform under the baton of a variety of conductors, instilling a flexibility required in the profession. Each year, the orchestra is joined by distinguished guest conductors from around the world, providing students with the rich depth of experience they will find when entering the profession. Notable guest conductors have included Sir Neville Marriner, Peter Sculthorpe, Jessica Cottis, Nicholas Braithwaite, Richard Mills, Natalia Raspopova, Larry Rachleff and Elim Chan, to name a few.
Peter Luff, Conductor
West Australian-born Peter Luff has a diverse conducting career encompassing symphonic repertoire, opera, dance and chamber music. He has directed many ensembles including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Brass Ensemble, Opera Queensland Chorus, Expressions Dance Company, Australian National Academy of Music Brass Ensemble, Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Brisbane Philharmonic, Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Conservatorium Symphony and Opera Orchestras. As a professional horn player who has held and guested in principal positions throughout Australia and abroad, Peter has acquired a wealth of orchestral knowledge and experience serving to shape his informed conducting style.
Isabella Gerometta, Assistant Conductor Isabella Gerometta is an Australian composer and conductor, currently serving as Assistant Conductor to Peter Luff. She has worked alongside Jessica Cottis, Simone Young, Gordon Hamilton, and in 2024 was invited to Mexico as Assistant Conductor to Alondra de la Parra and The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (Mexico) for the premiere tour of the production ‘Gershwin - La Vida en Azul.’ Her original compositions have been premiered and commissioned by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Perth Symphony Orchestra, Camerata - Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Ensemble Offspring and the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, and she regularly works with the Düsseldorf Symphoniker (Germany) as an arranger. Isabella was selected to represent Queensland in the ABC Classics and Muses Trio collaboration ‘Fire Dances’ reflecting the Black Summer bushfires of 2020, and co-initiated the GenMuse: Emerging Composer Development Program in 2026 for emerging female composers. Isabella also contributes music to the Brisbane film community - she works closely with Calligram Pictures, and her scored films have been shown at several festivals including Hollyshorts (Los Angeles), Flickerfest (Sydney) and the West End Film Festival.
Artemii Safonov, Piano
Artemii Safonov is a Brisbane-based pianist, composer and multi-instrumentalist, known for his expressive performances. Frequently collaborating with high-profile Australian organisations, Artemii’s portfolio features his pianistic work with the Queensland Pops Orchestra, accordion performance with Ensemble Q, appearing on the celeste with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and other collaborations, including the Brisbane Chamber Choir, Logan Symphony Orchestra and Opera Queensland. Artemii has shared his music on a myriad of stages, ranging from intimate community performances in Melbourne to dramatic concerts for audiences of hundreds, such as his piano recitals at Brisbane City Hall. Artemii is also a skilled accompanist and improviser, having served his second year as an official accompanist for the Queensland Vocal Festival competition, and occasionally appearing at the Brisbane Jazz Club. During his Queensland Conservatorium studies, Artemii has been awarded numerous prizes, including the John Nesbitt Endowment and the Raoul P. Neil and Airdree P. Neil Foundation Scholarship.
Lisa Smith, Violin
Lisa began learning the violin at the age of four. She completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Western Australia Conservatorium of Music, where she was awarded the Ann Brett Scholarship, the Lynn Kan Memorial Prize for Performance, and the Flora Bunning Prize with her piano trio. She was also a top three finalist in the VOSE Concerto Competition and received the People’s Choice Award. Lisa has appeared as Principal Concertmaster of a2 Orchestra and has performed with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra. She also performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto as soloist with a2 Orchestra at Government House Ballroom. Lisa graduated with Honours from Griffith University while participating in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Academy. She was in Germany this year doing masterclasses with Elisabeth Kufferath and later this year will be in Switzerland doing a masterclass with Ingolf Turban. Lisa is thrilled to be playing in this year’s Concerto Festival!
Angus Smith, Classical Guitar
Angus spent most of his youth playing in loud rock bands, before dedicating himself to the classical guitar at the age of 15. Now in his fourth year of study, he continues to deepen his love for the instrument under the guidance of Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp. He has developed a deep passion for the guitar music of Brazil, as its high energy, rhythmic vitality, and strong folk origins remind him of his early love of heavy music. This unique fusion of musical influences has shaped him greatly, instilling in him a distinctive musical perspective and expressive freedom. Angus is a member of the Riverside Guitar Ensemble, who have performed all over South-East Queensland and northern New South Wales, with appearances at the Brisbane Festival, Bleach Festival, and Tyalgum Music Festival. Angus plays a 2025 Andrew Doriean guitar.
Thomas FerreiraMontague, French Horn
Thomas Ferreira-Montague is a dedicated horn player from Brisbane, currently completing his Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University under the mentorship of Ms Ysolt Clark and Assoc. Prof. Peter Luff. A finalist in 2025 QCGU XO Brass Prize, Thomas enjoys playing a wide range of music that includes solo, chamber and symphonic works. Thomas has been fortunate enough to have performed with ensembles such as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, Southern Cross Symphony, The Metropolitan Orchestra Brisbane, Ensemble Q, The Australian Youth Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and Opera Queensland (OQ). As well as that, Thomas is currently the Principal Horn of the Queensland Youth Symphony (QYS), a member of the Queensland Wind Orchestra, as well as playing principal positions with the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends, being outdoors and perfecting making coffee.
Lily Song, Violin
Lily is an 18-year-old violinist studying with Michele Walsh at the Queensland Conservatorium. Through her passion for orchestra, she has accomplished becoming Concertmaster of several orchestras including multiple programs of Australian Youth Orchestra since 2023 and Queensland Youth Symphony in 2024. She currently plays casually with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Lily has performed as a finalist in many national competitions, including the Kendall National Violin Competition, where she won the Audience Prize, the Melbourne Bach Competition and QSO’s Young Instrumentalist Prize. During her first year at the Conservatorium, she won the Matilda Jane Aplin Prize. Earlier this year, her chamber group, Grevillea Trio, travelled to Montreal, Canada to participate in the Musical Chairs Chamber Music Festival.
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster
Violin 2
Lydia Hwang *
Emily Thompson * Edison Richard Jade Leong Eve Scott Abigail Xu Candice Kuo Bryn Wiseman Yuki Ijdo Alexandra Korschmin Koume Wong Aurora Lin Clara Seo
Violin 1 Miles Le Goullon Layla Mertz Siobhan Mewes Claire Yeung Teresa Kao Emily Masciocchi Ally Liu Sophie Shih Madison Sim Safia Hughes Chivers Amber Wang Viola Olivia Spyrou * Harriet Dykes Lucia Hwang Brooke Shim Eben Yeh Anja Stewart Jessica Fouche Yvonne Spina
Cello Liam Gane * Masato Matsumoto * Emma Seedell-Greene * Ai Hasegawa Kathryn Phun Takeshi Holland Contrabass Deakin Darby * Jessica Clarke Hilary Davis Daniel Wilesmith *Principal
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (cont’d) Piccolo Laura Skorzewski * Flute Nathan Smith * Villa Lobos Amy Tashjian * Laura Skorzewski Oboe Liam Robinson * Logan Nutley Cor Anglais Logan Nutley * Clarinet Gabrielle Thompson * Villa Lobos Jethro Caitens * Bass Clarinet Jethro Caitens * Bassoon Ethan Henke * Zane Lai
French Horn Bartók, Brahms Hannah Waterfall * Ava Gall James Rourke Alysia-Rose Booth Villa Lobos, Glière, Sibelius Zachary Hayes * Noah Vanderent James Rourke Cecilia Cason Trumpet Bartok, Brahms Megan Barber * Glière, Sibelius Sophie Donohue * Trombone Bartok, Sibelius Matthew Redman * Glière Alex McLaughlin * Villa Lobos Dana Day * Bass Trombone Elliott Sternberg * Tuba Drew Ferguson * *Principal
Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra (cont’d) Harp Jon Trotta * Timpani Selina Tingyue Zheng *
Percussion Hunter Burgess * Jack Gilbertson Thomas Quelhurst *Principal
The use of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Studio for tonight's concert is just one part of the wider partnership between our organisations. We'd like to thank all at the QSO for their ongoing support of the Queensland Conservatorium.
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
Conservatorium Staff Director Professor Vanessa Tomlinson Deputy Director (Learning and Teaching) Associate Professor Donna Weston Deputy Director (Research) Professor Brydie-Leigh Bartleet Deputy Director (Performance and Partnerships) Professor Peter Morris Head of Strings Associate Professor Michelle Walsh Head of Woodwinds Associate Professor Tim Munro Head of Brass Dr Ben Marks Head of Percussion Rebecca Lloyd-Jones Head of Keyboard Associate Professor Daniel De Borah
Conservatorium Manager Stuart Jones Front of House Operations Manager Michael Hibbard Executive Officer (Engagement) Dr Natalie Lewandowski-Cox Program Coordinator (Ensembles) & Orchestra Manager Daniel Fossi Operations Administrator Timothy Tate Administration Officer (Timetabling) Joshua White Technical Officers Keith Clark, Ben Gibson, Amy Hauser, Len McPherson Venue Officers Brendan Cardiff, Chloe Forbes Administration Officer Liz Tyson-Doneley Asst. Orchestra Manager Intern Val Yip
Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University 140 Grey Street, South Bank 4101 Concert enquiries: (07) 3735 6241 griffith.edu.au/music griffith.edu.au/queenslandconservatorium queenslandconser vatorium.com.au
QueenslandConservatorium
Qldcon
QldCon_Griffith
Qldcon
Upcoming events HANEULLE LOVELL & REUBEN TSANG: EVOLVING PERSPECTIVES Monday, 17th August, 7.00 pm, Ian Hanger Recital Hall .
BERNARD LANSKEY: BEETHOVEN, SCHULTZ & BRAHMS Wednesday, 19th August, 7.00 pm, Ian Hanger Recital Hall
CRICOS: 00233E | TEQSA: PRV12076
Connect with us
Upcoming events (cont.) WINDS, GUITAR & HARP Friday, 21st August, 6.00 pm, , Ian Hanger Recital Hall .
CONSERVATORIUM WIND ORCHESTRA: FROM A DARK MILLENIUM Friday, 21st August, 7.30 pm, Conservatorium Theatre
QLD. SONG FESTIVAL: DANIEL DE BORAH & ANDREW GOODWIN Wednesday, 26th August, 7.00 pm, Ian Hanger Recital Hall
META WEISS & DANIEL DE BORAH Thursday, 27th August, 7.00 pm, Ian Hanger Recital Hall
BOOK NOW queenslandconservatorium.com.au
Correct at time of publication.