Queensland Symphony Orchestra played its first concert on 26 March 1947, consisting of 45 musicians, conducted by
Percy Code.
John Farnsworth Hall was recruited from the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra as the orchestra's first chief conductor. The orchestra played concerts in various Queensland cities and towns, such as Innisfail and Townsville, travelling up to 3500 miles a year in the process. During the first part of its history, the QSO's longest-serving chief conductor was
Rudolf Pekárek (1954–1967). In 1988,
Vladimir Kamirski was appointed chief guest conductor.
Muhai Tang was chief conductor from 1991 to 2001. In 2001, QSO was merged with Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra, to form
The Queensland Orchestra (TQO).
Michael Christie was the first chief conductor of the orchestra under its new name, from 2001 to 2004. In July 2007,
Johannes Fritzsch was named the next chief conductor of TQO, beginning in January 2008, with an initial contract through 2010. In February 2010, the orchestra announced a three-year extension of Fritzsch's contract as chief conductor, through 2013. Fritzsch stood down as QSO chief conductor at the end of 2014, and subsequently took the title of conductor laureate of Queensland Symphony Orchestra. In May 2015,
Alondra de la Parra made her first guest-conducting appearance with the orchestra. In October 2015, the orchestra announced the appointment of de la Parra as its first-ever music director and first-ever female conductor in its principal conducting post, effective in 2017. De la Parra completed her tenure as music director at the end of the 2019 season. In February 2021, the QSO announced the return of Fritzsch to the orchestra as its new principal conductor and artistic adviser, with a contract until 2023. In 2021,
Umberto Clerici made three guest-conducting appearances with the QSO. In May 2022, the QSO announced the appointment of Clerici as its next chief conductor, effective 1 January 2023, with an initial contract of three years. In parallel, Fritzsch took the title of principal guest conductor in 2023, and is scheduled to resume his post as conductor laureate in 2024. The QSO's discography includes
Tchaikovsky's
1812 Overture, and several works of
Benjamin Frankel, including his eight symphonies, violin concerto, viola concerto, and several film score suites. Michael Sterzinger became the QSO's new CEO in November 2024. ==Performance venues==