BOP Symphonia presents Rising Stars 2025

Bay of Plenty’s brightest young talent vie for the title of “Rising Star”

Seven young musicians will perform with the Bay’s community orchestra in this year’s popular Rising Stars Concerto Competition. This competition for 12-18 year old classical instrumental musicians from the Bay of Plenty has taken place every 2 years since 2009 and has secured a special place in the calendars of the Bay’s classical music lovers, young musicians, and their teachers. The contestants relish the opportunity to perform solo with a live orchestra – as well as the chance to be acclaimed as winner of the “Rising Star” title.

One such contestant, whose future looks particularly bright, is the 2023 Rising Stars winner – flautist Enoch Tie. Enoch will not only appear in the concert playing Gabriel Faure’s Fantaisie with the orchestra, but as the winner of the Composition Competition, will have his composition Transcending Zeniths premiered in the concert.

The contestants’ performances will take place before the discerning ears and eyes of three highly respected New Zealand musicians, our judges – APO contrabassoonist Sam Brough, acclaimed pianist Stephen de Pledge, and brilliant young conductor Vincent Hardaker.

The finalists are:

• Elisha Tie & Jasper Zhang - Vivaldi Double Violin Concerto in A minor - whole work


• Esha Xu - Mozart Piano Concerto in A Major - 1st movement


• Heejae Choi - Haydn Oboe Concerto in C major - 1st movement


• Hugo Broad - F. Strauss Horn Concerto op. 8 - 2nd & 3rd movements


• Rima Azuma - Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor - 2nd movement


• Zekai Jiang - Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2 - 2nd movement

Join us on Sunday 27 July, 3.30pm, at Tauranga Boys' College Graham Young Youth Theatre to hear these wonderful performances and find out who will be Rising Star 2025!