A letter from our CEO, Caroline Sharpen

Dear TSO supporter, 

You will soon be receiving your Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Season 2024 brochure. 

Ahead of its arrival, I wanted to let you know about some exciting TSO performances and activities occurring next year. Some of the venues for these events weren’t able to be finalised before our brochure’s print deadline, and therefore they won’t be in the brochure, but I can assure you they will be happening, and you will receive plenty of notice when all the details are locked in.  

We are particularly excited to announce one of these special events will be the TSO’s first-ever Launceston residency.  From Thursday 8 February through to Sunday 11 February the TSO will saturate the city with public concerts, school concerts, community rehearsals, workshops and masterclasses.  

The residency builds on the recent success of TSO Live Sessions concerts at City Baptist Church and the weekend of workshops with Launceston Youth and Community Orchestra and the Esk Band Program at Newstead College. Full details of the residency program will be released later this year. 

We’ll also be bringing you a brand-new collaboration with Tasmania’s very own multi-ARIA and multi-Golden Guitar Award-winning duo, The Wolfe Brothers, at the Princess Theatre. 

There will also be a full year of glorious music exclusive to Woolmers Estate culminating in a weekend festival in November – Schubertiade – which will be set overlooking the National Rose Garden in full bloom. 

Unfortunately, while the TSO was planning a return of the Symphony Under the Stars event at Launceston’s City Park as part of our 2024 season, the intending sponsor advised us they could not proceed with the sponsorship, meaning we will be unable to perform this event next year. We’ve committed to working together with a view to 2025. While we are extremely disappointed, we have worked hard to provide additional events, such as the residency program, to ensure all our Northern Tasmanian supporters have the opportunity to attend TSO events.   

After a successful trial in 2023, the TSO-subsidised bus service from Launceston to Hobart for all Federation Concert Hall Series performances will continue next year making it easy for concertgoers to attend these events.  

It’s also worth remembering that our Federation Concert Hall and 6PM Series concerts are livestreamed for digital subscribers. In addition, each performance is available for four weeks on-demand, ensuring you won’t ever have to miss your favourite artists or most-loved pieces again. Digital subscriptions will be available to purchase from early 2024. 

Between now and the end of the year, the TSO will also be conducting market research to ensure we are developing programs that people want to see and hear. Please look out for your opportunity to participate and help us discover the most meaningful way the TSO can connect with the Launceston community in 2025 and beyond.   

I look forward to seeing you at a concert soon. 

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Sharpen
CEO