About the Orchestra

The Tasmania Discovery Orchestra (TDO) is a new initiative by the University of Tasmania, Conservatorium of Music, designed to increase the participation rate of trained orchestral musicians in Australia who do not have ongoing opportunities to perform in a high-level ensemble. Drawn from varied professions, the TDO attracts musicians who may also be doctors, lawyers, music teachers, business people or retirees, as some examples. Accomplished musicians in their own right, these professionals come together up to four times each year to perform outstanding orchestral music in the beautiful City of Hobart, Tasmania.

The Orchestra

The TDO is an ensemble of the Conservatorium of Music. Eligibility to perform in the orchestra is based both on successful audition and enrolment in successive performance units leading to either a Diploma in Music Performance (undergraduate) or a Graduate Diploma of Professional Music Practice (graduate).

Performance units in which orchestra members enrol are offered with a full Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) scholarship. This means that TDO members will not incur any course costs through enrolment. The respective qualification is attained after successful completion of eight concerts. The minimum time for completion for the respective diploma is two years (i.e. all four concerts performed in both years) and the maximum time allowed is four years.

Members of the Tasmania Discovery Orchestra must be at least 16 years of age and either Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. All members of the TDO are paid $80.00 per three-hour rehearsal. No fee is applicable for the concert as this incorporates the assessment for the unit in which the member is enrolled.

Members travelling from the mainland also receive a $100 travel subsidy in addition to the rehearsal fee for each concert performed in the season.

Fee structure per concert:

5 x 3 hour rehearsals $400
Travel subsidy (mainland members only) $100
Total $500 (tax deductable income)