Rising Star Competition

Supporting the next generation of musicians and talent across Tasmania with the annual Rising Star Competition.

Presented by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Supporting the next generation of musicians and talent across Tasmania with the annual Rising Star Competition.

Presented by Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

A woman playing violin in-concert with the TSO.

Applications open soon for the 2025 Rising Star Competition!

We’re thrilled to support the next generation of musicians and unearth the talent across Tasmania. Ensuring our young people have the backing they need to thrive in their musical education and careers is so important to the future of our industry – we believe it’s in safe hands with our Rising Stars!

Rising Star provides a young instrumentalist or classical vocalist with a leg-up to the next level of their learning.

Applications are currently closed and will open in Feb 2025. Sign up to here about more TSO programs here.

Young female pianist in a long black concert dress stands beside a grand piano on stage, acknowledging applause. An orchestra seated behind her holds violins and other instruments against a warm wood acoustic wall, highlighting the formal classical performance setting and celebratory moment.

Applications are open now for the 2026 Rising Star competition!

The selected Rising Star will receive;

Tim Bugg AM Rising Star Award worth $2500 to further the winner’s musical education
The opportunity to rehearse and record as a soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
A feature on TSO’s social media accounts and website

TSO is also proud to be able to offer a further $750 encouragement award to support a young musician in their musical endeavours. This has been made possible through generous benefactors in memory of Tim Bugg AM.

HOW TO APPLY

Read and ensure you meet the requirements in the Eligibility Criteria and Application Guidelines.
Fill in the application form.

Applications close 5pm, Monday 16 March 2026.

Apply Here

KEY DATES

Entries close: 5pm, Monday 16 Mar 2026
Audition times issued: Friday 20 Mar 2026
Audition date: Friday 27 Mar 2026 at TSO Studio, Nipaluna / Hobart
Audition results issued: Friday 3 Apr 2026
Rehearsal & recording date: Tuesday 23 June 2026 at Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You need to meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for Rising Star 2026.

Tasmanian resident
Aged 22 years or under on June 23, 2026
Minimum 8th Grade AMEB or equivalent standard
Be learning an orchestral instrument (including piano and classical saxophone) or studying classical voice
Not be a prior winner of the Rising Star Award

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

If you are aged 17 years or under, you must provide written permission from your parent/guardian when applying
Make sure you have confirmed approval from your instrumental / singing teacher before you apply for Rising Star
If selected for an audition, you should be prepared to play or sing one movement from a standard concerto/ work for soloist and orchestra
The movement or work should be a maximum of 8 minutes in duration
The movement or work must suit the TSO’s orchestral strengths (2222-4231-timp+1percussion-harp-strings)
The orchestral score and parts of the work must be available for hire or purchase in Australia
The work and edition of the work must be available to be performed in Australia
Applicants are to audition with piano playing the orchestral reduction of the work (accompaniment) which will be the applicant's responsibility to organise

For any further questions please contact Jack Machin.

Anna Bosveld.

Meet the 2025 Rising Star, Anna Bosveld

Anna Bosveld is a 15-year-old from Wynyard in Tasmania’s North West. She began playing piano at the age of five and her mum was her teacher for more than eight years.

Anna now studies piano with Somerset-based piano teacher Lyn Loudon. She also plays as part of an ensemble led by Dr. Sarah Scheermeijer.

“To be the Rising Star of 2025 is such an honour,” says Anna. “I have never won an award of this level before, and even competing alongside advanced musicians was a valuable experience in itself. The opportunity to play with the TSO is something I have dreamed of. I am beyond amazed and thankful to have been selected.”

Players performing at the TSO Big Rehearsal.

The Tim Bugg AM Award

Tim Bugg AM is remembered as a well-respected and admired member of the Tasmanian community. A significant figure in legal practice nationally and beyond, Tim was also a great supporter of the TSO through over 7 years as a Board member and as a music lover.

This award has been named in honour of Tim and the work he undertook as a champion of emerging talent – a cause that he was truly passionate about. In his professional line of work Tim mentored, advocated and fostered emerging lawyers. This award celebrates the same spirit Tim showed to innumerable emerging professionals, and we are proud to continue his vision of championing and recognising young talent through the Rising Star Competition.

The TSO is immeasurably grateful to the generous benefactor who has ensured the Tim Bugg AM Rising Star Award will continue to provide opportunities for emerging musicians for years to come.

Past Winners

"To be the Rising Star of 2025 is such an honour. I have never won an award of this level before, and even competing alongside advanced musicians was a valuable experience in itself. The opportunity to play with the TSO is something I have dreamed of. I am beyond amazed and thankful to have been selected."
– ANNA BOSVELD, 2025 RISING STAR