21 May 2024 Tech innovation to take QSO music experiences across Queensland

The tyranny of distance affects artists and audiences

Enriching experiences, live performances, music education and cultural engagement are vital aspects of community life. However, the tyranny of distance in a state as large as Queensland can make it difficult for artists to connect with audiences.

This was the challenge presented to Queensland companies through the Advance Queensland Private Sector Pathways Program — to find an innovative and sustainable solution to enhance the QSO touring program and its engagement with Queensland schools and regional communities. Imagine Realities rose to the challenge with their concept of a learning management system application to enable every Queenslander to engage with the QSO Education, Community and Regional Programs both online and offline.

Imagine Realities won the Private Sector Pathways Program challenge to develop new technology to bring the joy of live music and Queensland Symphony Orchestra experiences to Queenslanders across the state.

Founded in 2017, Gold Coast-based Imagine Realities has worked with Australian and global companies to bring cutting-edge Extended Reality (XR) technology into commercial apps used by millions of users.

The solution will include access to QSO learning resources and will bring together Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 360 media to deliver an immersive education experience for users.

QSO’s commitment to entertain, inspire and educate Queenslanders

The quality of a QSO performance on the concert stage is just the beginning of the organisation’s commitment to entertain, inspire and educate Queenslanders.

QSO supporter Professor Ian Frazer said it was particularly important that young people have the opportunity to engage with QSO music programs wherever they live.

‘We’ve been working with QSO for quite a while to make sure that young people who are interested in music get the chance to enjoy it,’ Professor Frazer said.

‘And we realise that one of the big problems in Queensland is distance. While it’s quite easy to do things for young kids down in Brisbane, if we want to actually do something useful in the music world for the regional audiences, then setting up some means where we can do that for young kids is what we’re really keen to do.’

Professor Frazer is of course renowned for his work in developing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. A 2020 Swedish study found that the vaccine provides an almost 90% reduction in cervical cancer incidence. Professor Frazer was Australian of the Year in 2006 and was appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in 2013.

The Private Sector Pathways Program (PSP)

The PSP solution is co-funded by Advance Queensland and the QSO through their supporters, Professor Ian Frazer AC FRS and Mrs Caroline Frazer and the Frazer Family Foundation. Advance Queensland will fund project costs of $49,000 — which will be matched by QSO.

As part of Advance Queensland's Corporate Innovation Network, the Private Sector Pathways Program creates commercial opportunities for innovative Queensland businesses by opening up corporate challenges and co-funding pilots.

Find out more about how the Private Sector Pathways Program can support your business or innovation journey.