Training

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.

2024 WINNER ANNOUNCED: Samuel Hooper

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 for the Rising Star Competition 2025 will open early February 2025. Sign up for notifications here.

Apply Here

HOW TO APPLY

Read and ensure you meet the requirements in the Guidelines & Eligibility Information Pack.
Fill in the application form here.

For more information on the Rising Star Competition and prize details please go here.
For any further questions please contact Director Artistic Development Kim Waldock.

KEY DATES

Entries close: 5pm, Friday 15 Mar 2024
Audition times issued: Wednesday 20 Mar 2024
Audition date: Monday 25 Mar 2024
Audition results issued: Wednesday 27 Mar 2024
Tentative Performance date: Saturday 17 Aug 2024

Samuel Hooper, photo by Toby Frost.

Meet the 2024 Rising Star, Samuel Hooper

Samuel Hooper is 14 years old and has a passion for music. He studied violin for 10 years with local teacher Dan Evans and now studies with Emma McGrath, Concertmaster of the TSO.

Samuel completed his AMEB 8th grade violin exam in 2022 and, for this, was awarded the Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) Tasmania Prize for the most outstanding candidate in strings.

At both the 2022 and 2023 Hobart Eisteddfods, Samuel was awarded the Celeste Thomsen (Quinn) Trophy and Memorial Award for the most outstanding string performer aged 16 years & under. At the Sydney Eisteddfod in 2022, Samuel was the inaugural recipient of the Most Promising Young String Player Award. In 2023 at the Sydney Eisteddfod, Samuel was awarded second place in the Open Age String Sonata section and also performed in the 90th Anniversary Gala Concert in the alumni orchestra. Samuel has been accepted into the 2024 Australian Youth Orchestra Young Symphonists program.

He would like to be a soloist and chamber musician and to teach violin.

Read the full news announcement here.

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.

"It was an amazing experience performing with the TSO! I love the feeling of connection and musical conversation when playing with an orchestra, and the TSO brought the concerto to life with so much colour. I feel really privileged to have been able to play with the musicians from the TSO who have been inspiring and important mentors for me throughout my musical journey."
– Kara Thorpe, 2023 RISING STAR