It’s not all bad news at the major arts companies, despite choppy waters recently. In fact, there are some positive things happening. A case in point is the appointment of Michael Sterzinger as chief executive of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Sterzinger, who starts with the QSO in November, is returning to an organisation where from 2013 to 2021  he was involved with the company’s artistic planning, including as director of artistic planning from 2017 to 2018. While with the company he had built strong relationships with QSO musicians, team members and stakeholders.

Since 2021, Sterzinger has been the executive director of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. QSO chair Rod Pilbeam says Sterzinger’s QSO appointment is welcomed by both musicians and the business team.

“As Queensland’s largest performing arts organisation, QSO demands a dynamic, inclusive and visionary leader,” Pilbeam says. “We deliver unique musical experiences across this huge state and perform world-class concert events in our home venue, the Concert Hall at QPAC. Strong, positive leadership is vital. We are confident that the skills that Michael brings to our existing team bode well for our ongoing success.”

It’s a welcome appointment. Sterzinger is a well liked and capable leader. His appointment should settle things down a bit after the surprise exit of his predecessor, Yarmila Alfonzetti, following a turbulent period for the state orchestra. There were rumblings of discontent, especially among the musicians, after an AI marketing and publicity failure that caused some consternation about the way forward.

It has been a turbulent period in the arts in Queensland and elsewhere. That turbulence at QSO began with Alfonzetti’s departure and gathered a head of steam with the departure of Queensland Theatre Company artistic director Lee Lewis, whose exit was never fully explained.

We never actually get the real story when it comes to these matters. (Arts organisations are like royals – never complain, never explain, although they do complain).

Then there was the cancellation of the entire season of Queensland Theatre’s POTUS, Or Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying To Keep Him Alive, due to injury and a rumoured insurrection among actors.

Hot on the heels of that drama there was the shock departure of Queensland Ballet’s new artistic director Leanne Benjamin after she failed to get support for her program due, apparently, to a shortfall in funds.

On a national level the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was thrown into turmoil over the cancellation of Queensland piano superstar Jayson Gillham’s (he’s from Dalby) concert because of remarks he made in support for those suffering in the war in Gaza. That drama resulted in the departure of managing director Sophie Galaise, a former head honcho of QSO.

Then, also recently, there was the abrupt departure of Opera Australia’s artistic director Jo Davies just nine months into the job. As cricket commentator Bill Lawry likes to say …  “It’s all happening!”

There has been more drama behind the scenes than in the theatre or concert halls where there has, metaphorically, been blood on the walls.

Sterzinger’s appointment may just be the beginning of a more stable period at QSO. I think he and chief conductor Umberto Clerici will work well together. It’s important to have stability at the top and we want the musicians to be happy too. We don’t want them dictating to management, but there has to be some collaboration.

Opera Queensland served up another good news story recently with another well liked and highly competent individual, Adam Tucker, recently announced as its executive director.

Camerata will now be seeking to replace Sterzinger. Camerata is Queensland’s beloved chamber orchestra and one of the country’s most exciting outfits. Now we just need to sort out Queensland Theatre and Queensland Ballet and we will be set.

Sterzinger’s appointment feels like a kind of watershed, a kind of turning the corner, hopefully, to enter a new period of stability.

Sterzinger is a musician, too, and started his career playing tuba with the Bavarian Youth Orchestra in 1999. He was subsequently employed as a professional tuba player in orchestras around Europe. He also filled managerial roles in various orchestras and arts organisations and completed an art management degree in Hamburg.

In 2009, Michael relocated to Australia and undertook a marketing role with Queensland Youth Orchestras, another company that is kicking goals.

He continues to perform as a tubist in the Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra. I haven’t witnessed him playing, but that’s on my list of must-dos. Who doesn’t love the tuba?

QSO chair Rod Pilbeam was realistic about the arts landscape.

“With the ongoing challenges faced by arts organisations in Australia, finding successful CEOs seems to be growing more difficult,” Pilbeam admits. “Some years ago, the QSO board decided to invest in growing our own future leaders and Michael Sterzinger’s appointment is very much in line with this strategy.

“With his previous experience at QSO and his early career as an orchestral musician, he has all the keys for success. The board is confident he will find creative solutions to resolving the sometimes-disparate demands of artistic excellence within the commercial constraints inherent in the current economy, and the unique structure of arts delivery in the Australian community.”

Sterzinger is excited about his new appointment:

“Orchestral music has been the centre of my life as long as I can remember, from traditional music back home in Bavaria to international symphony orchestras where I have performed as a tubist and created environments for musicians to shine,” he says.

“With Umberto Clerici as inspirational chief conductor the orchestra has been excelling on the Concert Hall stage, on tour and in collaborative projects. I look forward to working closely with the musicians, team, board and QSO partners and stakeholders to share our passion for music and to create beautiful and immersive experiences for our audiences.”

qso.com.au

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