20 UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS for STRING INSTRUMENTS

Each scholarship carries with it a full HECS waiver and up to $6000 cash annually in support of gifted string players. The scholarships are available for students to undertake study in ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS performance within our Bachelor of Music degree. In this course of study we maximise your potential by focusing on your development as a player. While there are required units for the study of aural development, music theory and music history, students in this performance stream may apply to test out of some of these units, thus allowing you even more time to maximise your playing skills.

BENEFITS
• FREE Tuition PLUS up to $6000 Cash Scholarship Annually – come and concentrate on your music
• Hobart Tasmania – A great learning and living environment
• Home of the Australian International Symphony Orchestra Institute
• Australia’s oldest, most dynamic string school
• Low living costs
• Clean and safe environment
• High achieving students may be supported for travel to international competitions
• UTAS has a close relationship with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra – one of the best small orchestras in the world – set in the stunning city of Hobart
• Professional development program with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra supported by UTAS/TSO Scholarships of $5000 each
• This course of study is about PERFORMANCE and becoming the best player you can be

STAFF

Associate Professor Edwin Paling, violin
Director of Classical Music

Edwin Paling was born in Nottingham and studied at the Royal Academy of Music with Sydney Griller, and later with Norbert Brainin. His musical career began as a member of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, after which he played in both the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Midland Light Orchestra before joining the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in 1973 as Assistant Leader. After one year with the RSNO he became Associate Leader and in 1976, at the age of twenty-six, was appointed Leader of the RSNO. Edwin Paling has appeared as soloist with the RSNO on many occasions, covering a repertoire of concertos and concert pieces extending from Bach to Berg. Edwin is very actively involved in performing chamber music. Along with other members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra he plays in the Allander Ensemble and also appears frequently with the Paragon Ensemble. Professor Paling was appointed to UTAS Conservatorium of Music as Director of Classical Music and Head of Strings in July 2007.

Josephine St. Leon, viola
Former Principal Viola English National Ballet

Josephine St. Leon moved to Hobart for several months to study with Jan Sedivka and Keith Crellin before returning to Melbourne to take up a position with the Elizabethan Trust Orchestra. When she was 18 Jo went to London to study at the Royal College of Music with Frederick Riddle. She later studied privately with Stephen Shingles and participated in masterclasses with Bruno Giuranna at Prussia Cove.

Jo was a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra for thirteen years, and Principal Viola with English National Ballet for nine years. She also held Principal positions with Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet and English Touring Opera. As a freelance player she worked extensively with the English Chamber Orchestra, Academy of St.Martin-in-the-Fields and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. With the K Ballet Company she toured Japan, playing Guest Principal Viola for the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Grand Symphony Tokyo, The Osaka Theatre Orchestra and the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Jo was a member of the Priory Trio for six years, played regularly with the Orchestra of St.John’s Chamber Ensemble and many works of contemporary British composers with Endymion Ensemble. She has appeared as soloist in the UK, South America, Australia and China.Jo currently lives in Hobart, where she teaches at the Conservatorium, is string specialist at St.Michael’s Collegiate School and plays with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. She has recently been invited to be an Honorary Professor at the Huayin Teachers College in Huaian, China, and plans several visits each year to perform and teach.

Christian Wojtowicz, Cello

Christian Wojtowicz studied cello with Sela Trau and chamber music with Jan Sedivka at the Tasmanian Conservatorium before being awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship to work with Pierre Fournier in Zurich and later with Andre Navarra at the Paris Conservatoire.
Recent activity has included recitals and broadcasting with pianist David Bollard and continuing association with foundation members of the Australian String Quartet, as well as the production of two solo CDs. Between 2002 and 2006 his ensemble, the Esperance Trio, with David Bollard and Rachel Bremner was a Resident Ensemble at the Conservatorium. Christian Wojtowicz performed and recorded extensively in Europe and the United Kingdom for many years before returning to Australia. Upon his return he has continued an active career as both soloist and chamber musician, working with many of Australia's leading orchestras and musicians.

Stuart Thomson, Double Bass
Principal Bass, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Born in Edinburgh in 1974, Stuart spent most of his childhood in Southampton on the South Coast of England. He began playing Double Bass at the age of 9 and spent his teenage years as a member of the Hampshire County Youth Orchestra. It was this that inspired him to become a professional orchestral musician.Stuart studied with Duncan McTier and Corin Long at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he was awarded the Eugene Cruft prize for Double Bass. Whilst at the RNCM Stuart began working professionally with the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in Manchester and the Liverpool Philharmonic. As a busy freelancer Stuart worked with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras and the Philharmonische Werkstatt Orchestra in Switzerland. In 1999 Stuart left the UK to join the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra where he stayed for two years. As the son of an Australian mother he had always been keen to explore his Australian side so in 2001 he moved to Australia to play with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Stuart worked with The Queensland Orchestra as Association Principal from 2002 until joining the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as Principal Double Bass in 2003. As well as performing with the orchestra, Stuart also enjoys playing chamber music and teaching both privately and at the Tasmanian Conservatorium of Music.

For further information, call the Conservatorium on 03-6226-7314.

Be all you can be with a UTAS University String Scholarship!
Application & Audition Details