About the QLD Pops Orchestra

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.