BARRIE GOTT - Musical Director

Barrie Gott (b.1947) began his music career as a professional musician, studying trumpet with John Robertson and Harry Larsen at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He subsequently joined the National Training Orchestra and was a regular casual player with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He also played as a commercial player in Sydney, Los Angels and Brisbane backing artists such as James Morrison, Kenny Rogers and Petula Clark and working in studios such as Alberts, Oceanway and Martinsound. He has also been a regular arranger and player for the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols.

For Barrie's full curriculum vitae click here.

HISTORY and background

Colin Harper, AM MBE had a life-long career in the British and Australian Armies as a conductor of concert bands. He was promoted and sent to Brisbane in 1982 to direct the music for the Commonwealth Games in that year. His flair for entertaining production was well known and documented and he attracted a devoted following to band concerts, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity during his service in Brisbane.

Upon retirement from the military, he sought to keep doing what he did best and so the Queensland Pops Orchestra ("QPO") was formed in 1984. His devotees came to these concerts and with much organisation and hard work, the orchestra became established as a Brisbane icon. Most of the QPO performances have been sell-outs.

The QPO has performed many types of venues and situations including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Wellington concert halls, various Civic Centres and Town Halls, marquees, hotels, golf-courses, Convention Centres, Clubs, ballrooms and parks.

The Pops' presentations, with versatility and warm-hearted humour, are second to none, playing music in typical Boston Pops style from Viennese operetta to music from the Shows, Big Band, and popular music of the 20th century, appealing mostly to people aged 45 and above.

Vale Colin Harper

The much-beloved Colin Harper passed away on 18th January 2004. Over $90,000.00 was raised at two "Tribute to Colin Harper, AM MBE" concerts held on 3rd April, 2004 at the Qld Performing Arts Complex, Brisbane in the name of the Qld Institute of Medical Research for the continuation of their Prostate Cancer trials.