Joel Edmondson has been appointed as QMusic’s new Executive Officer.
QMusic is Queensland's music industry development association which produces the flagship event BIGSOUND — Australia's largest music conference.
Edmondson will start the role in January replacing outgoing Executive Officer Denise Foley, who steps down in December after overseeing almost a decade of outstanding growth for QMusic.
QMusic president Michael Crutcher said Joel’s appointment was a coup for the organisation, which is the state’s peak body for the music industry. “Joel was the standout in a field of high-quality candidates to replace Denise Foley as Executive Officer. Joel’s corporate knowledge and his obvious passion for music leave him well-placed to continue QMusic’s growth into its third decade. We are excited about the skills and vision that Joel will bring to the job in his return to Brisbane.”
Joel completed undergraduate studies in Film and Cultural Studies at Griffith University and followed with a Masters in Music in the Community at the University of Edinburgh. He's won numerous awards for his design of innovative musical instruments for children with developmental disorders, and was also a founding director of the Red Hill music venue Hangar and its artist-run label, LoFly Records.
Joel said: “I am excited and deeply grateful to have been given this opportunity to make a significant contribution to the continuing evolution of Queensland's cultural landscape. “The Executive Officer role at QMusic is a rare chance for me to bring together my previous experience in the music industry, community music development, and strategic organisational change.”
Michael Crutcher paid tribute to Denise Foley, who has ensured that QMusic has thrived during a defining decade. “Denise Foley’s contribution to QMusic has been outstanding. She hands over the reins to Joel after a period of strong growth,” Crutcher said.
“The success of BIGSOUND – now entrenched as Australia’s biggest and best music industry conference – has been due to Denise’s skills, knowledge, work ethic and passion for the music industry. She has led a dynamic team. “Denise became Executive Officer in 2005 and feels that it is time for a new challenge. She leaves a wonderful legacy."
