John Curro AM MBE, conductor

Appearing in Mother's Day and Mahler on Sunday 9 May

John Curro is both the founder (1966) and Director of Music of Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO). He has conducted QYO's premier orchestra, the Queensland Youth Symphony, since its inception. John established QYO's annual National Youth Concerto Competition, the nation's premier competition for young string players, hosted by QYO every year since 1976.

John is in demand as a conductor and tutor at youth music festivals throughout the world. He has toured overseas as conductor of the Bavarian Youth Orchestra and the Australian Youth Orchestra.

John regularly conducts professional orchestras and he has held the position of Guest Conductor with the London Virtuosi, the Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted many of Australia's professional orchestras, including the Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra and the Queensland, Melbourne, Tasmanian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras. He has conducted many opera seasons in Australia, has worked regularly with the Queensland Ballet. He has also conducted opera and ballet performances for the Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts.

John received the 2002 Don Banks Award and the 2001 Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution to music in Australia. He has also received the 2001 TOAN (The Orchestras of Australia Network) Lifetime Achievement Award, the Queensland Premier's Millennium Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2000 and the 4MBS/Perform Magazine Award for Best Music Director in 1999.

John was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 for his significant contribution to music in Australia. He also holds the honour of Member of the British Empire and Honorary Doctorates from the University of Queensland and Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University. In August 2003 he was awarded the Australian Music Centre's "Queensland Award."