Chinchilla Miles Roma Tara Initiative
#Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians have been travelling to Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, and Tara annually for 10 years, meeting community members, hosting workshops for students and teachers, and playing great music for everyone.
The Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, and Tara (CMRT) tour includes workshops for community musicians and school students, schools concerts, and free public concerts featuring the QSO Connect Ensemble playing alongside school and community musicians. QSO Connect is QSO's education and community department that is dedicated to connecting schools and communities from across Queensland with Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians.
The Chinchilla Miles Roma Tara Enrichment through Music (CMRT) Initiative is an innovative partnership between Australia Pacific LNG operated by Origin Energy and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, delivering quality music education and concert experiences to the students and community of Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, and Tara.
#Upcoming events
#CMRT Band Camp & Performance Tour
In 2026, our QSO Connect regional program returns as part of the Chinchilla, Miles, Roma and Tara (CMRT) initiative in two connected phases: an education-focused tour to Roma, Chinchilla, and across the Western Downs and Maranoa Regions in May, followed by a performance tour to Chinchilla, Roma, and Tara in July.
The May tour delivers workshops, rehearsals, and professional development for students, music teachers, and community ensembles across multiple regional centres. This phase is led by experienced conductors Mark Sullivan and Stefanie Smith, whose work across education and orchestral performance brings depth and expertise to the program.
In July, participants return to present these outcomes through education concerts, community performances, and major evening events. A 13-piece QSO ensemble will perform for local audiences and alongside student ensembles, supporting a high standard of performance while fostering mentorship and shared musical experience.
Presented by Australia Pacific LNG, operated by Origin Energy, this year marks the 10th anniversary of CMRT, celebrating a decade of sustained investment in regional music education and community connection.
#Proudly supported by
Frazer Family Foundation
The Birtles Family Foundation
#Other QSO Connect Programs & Initiatives
Regional activities
Our regional activities include instrumental workshops, one on one mentoring, playing alongside QSO musicians in an orchestral environment.
SidebySide Program
(peviously know as the Prodigy Project)
The SidebySide Program provides young musicians with 1:1 mentorship from a QSO musician and the opportunity to perform high quality orchestral repertoire in a public concert.
Compose Program
This program is designed to introduce secondary school students to composing for orchestral instruments and have their work played by Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Students from regional and remote Queensland are encouraged to apply.
Regional & SEQ concerts
We are expanding our touring to visit as many Queenslanders as possible. Check out our 2024 concert locations to see when we will be in your area next.
Gladstone Enrichment through Music Initiative
This initiative delivers instrumental workshops and unique performance opportunities for students in the Gladstone region. Students work in rehearsals to improve playing techniques and perform in large ensembles alongside QSO musicians.
Young Instrumentalist Prize
The Young Instrumentalist Prize is a competition designed to encourage talented Queensland secondary school students along their music pathways and offer mentoring, performance opportunities and cash prizes. Students from regional and remote Queensland are encouraged to apply.
Chinchilla Miles Roma Tara Initiative
This initiative includes workshops and concerts for community musicians and students from Chinchilla, Miles, Roma and Tara. These concerts feature QSO musicians playing alongside community members and local students.