THE TASMANIAN YOUTH ORCHESTRA

TYO’s flagship ensemble, providing exceptional development opportunities and outstanding performance experiences. The accomplished young musicians in this orchestra range in age from 14 to 25 and represent some of Tasmania's finest young musical talent. Musicians in this orchestra have the opportunity to rehearse weekly with their musical peers, perform challenging symphonic repertoire at least three times per year; and collaborate annually with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra through TSO's 'Big Rehearsal'.

ABOUT THIS ENSEMBLE

TYO Chief Conductor: Thomas Rimes

ELIGIBILITY

Level: AMEB (or equivalent) GR7+
Age range: 14-25

The Tasmanian Youth Orchestra rehearses and performs advanced symphonic repertoire: a high level of technical proficiency and musicianship is required. Audition rounds are held annually, with late auditions for vacant positions only.

REHEARSALS

Saturdays 11am-1.15pm: Sandy Bay, Hobart

This orchestra rehearses and performs between February and November each year. There are no rehearsals during Tasmanian school holidays. Rehearsals generally finish at 1.15pm; however, generally once per program there is an extended rehearsal finishing at 2.30pm.

INSTRUMENTS

Tasmanian Youth Orchestra auditions for the following instruments

FEES

2026 fees for this ensemble are $820.00 Fees assistance is available for eligible applicants; and payment plan options are also available.

All TYO ensembles have fees. However, they should never be a barrier to participating.
We offer a financial bursary program and fees assistance options. Payment arrangements are also available for those who wish to spread payments across the course of the year. Annual ensemble fees do not include entry to TYO concerts: concert tickets for family and friends need to be purchased separately.

PROTOCOLS

Expectations

TYO works to a culture of mutual respect and collegiality, aligned to TYO's values. Program and performance dates are confirmed at the start of each year. Musicians are required to be available for scheduled performance dates and at least 90% rehearsal attendance is expected. Musicians aged 18 and above are also required to hold current Working with Vulnerable People certification.

LEADERSHIP ROLES

Rotation Policy &
Concertmaster/Principals

TYO believes strongly in promoting and supporting broad development of musical and leadership skills. For this reason, TYO operates to a rotation policy in which a.) principal chairs are not assigned and b.) section leadership roles and parts are allocated per program. Allocations are entirely at the conductor's discretion. The exceptions are the three key leadership roles of Concertmaster, Associate Concertmaster and Principal Second. These roles are annual appointments, with auditions by invitation held in February.

2026 Program Dates

The Tasmanian Youth Orchestra rehearses Saturdays 11.00am – 1.15pm.

The rehearsal venue is The Hutchins School, 71 Nelson Road, Sandy Bay, Hobart unless otherwise advised.

Addresses for concert venues will be advised on concert information sheets prior to performances.

Times and venues are subject to change. Detailed information sheets will be provided prior to each concert.

Program 1, 2026

Saturday 14 February – Orientation session – UTAS Stanley Burbury Theatre

Saturday 14 February – Rehearsal – UTAS Stanley Burbury Theatre

Saturday 21 February – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 28 February – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 7 March – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 14 March – TSO Big Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 21 March – Extended Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 28 March – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 11 April – Open Rehearsal – UTAS Stanley Burbury Theatre

Saturday 18 April – Performance – St John’s Anglican Church, Launceston

Programs 2&3, 2026

Saturday 9 May – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 16 May – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 30 May – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 13 June – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 20 June – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 27 June – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 4 July – Rehearsal – UTAS Stanley Burbury Theatre

Tuesday 7 July – Performance – Federation Concert Hall

Wednesday 8 July – Performance – Federation Concert Hall

(school holidays)

Saturday 25 July – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 1 August – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 8 August – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 15 August – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 22 August – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 29 August – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 5 September – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 12 September – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 19 September – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 26 September – Performance – Venue To Be Confirmed

Program 4, 2026

Saturday 17 October – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Thursday 29 October – Video Auditions for 2027 Due Thursday 29 October

Saturday 31 October – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 7 November – Rehearsal – Hutchins School Auditorium

Saturday 14 November – The Big Busk – Hobart Waterfront