Job Advert
Deadline for applications: 17.00 on Monday 27th January 2025
Department & Team: Royal Northern Sinfonia & Classical Team
Location: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music
Working Hours: Members of Royal Northern Sinfonia work in line with the North Music Trust / Musicians’ Union agreement
Position in organisation and starting salary:
Principal Viola (No.2) £40,017 (SCP 8)
Reports to: Senior Orchestra & Personnel Manager
Works in conjunction with: Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians and the Classical Team
About the Orchestra
Dinis Sousa Principal Conductor
Maria Włoszczowska Artistic Partner
Nil Venditti Principal Guest Conductor
Thomas Zehetmair Conductor Laureate
Based at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia is proud to be the orchestra of the North East of
England and Cumbria and has been a key part of the cultural landscape of the North East for over 60 years.
Led by our Principal Conductor Dinis Sousa, Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska and newly appointed Principal Guest Conductor Nil
Venditti we give world-class performances with leading international artists across the North of England, nationally and
internationally, building on the legacy of former artistic leaders including Ivan Fischer, Richard Hickox, Heinrich Schiff, Lars
Vogt and Conductor Laureate Thomas Zehetmair.
Although our core repertoire is based around Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert we perform music spanning an extremely wide
range of musical styles and genres, giving our audiences and our musicians a varied musical diet. But whatever we play, it’s
always defined by a spirit of joy and infectious enthusiasm.
We’re passionate about our role in taking music to people across this large and diverse region which covers urban centres and well
as sparsely populated rural areas. This has made RNS an extremely flexible group, playing string quartets in country churches,
minimalist music in breweries and film music in large town halls.
Our unique inclusive ensemble, RNS Moves which is made up of disabled musicians and members of the orchestra, breaks down the
perceptions of what’s possible. Using orchestral and digital instruments they explore different ways of making music through
improvisation and perform arrangements of standard repertoire as well as new commissions.
We’re committed to expanding our work with schools and families and alongside concert programming within the building we’re
continuing to expand our creative work.
The orchestra’s involvement in participatory, co-created projects and digital work continues to expand and musicians regularly
take part in creative learning and schools projects and have a special relationship with both The Glasshouse ICM Centre for
Advanced Training and the two ‘In Harmony’ Schools in Tyneside.
Purpose of the Roles and Person Specification
We are looking to appoint four dynamic and enthusiastic musicians of the highest international calibre to the positions listed
below.
Principal Viola (No.2)
Sitting No. 2 in the Viola section, this key role supports the Section Leader and plays a crucial role in communication within the
section. There will be a requirement to sit up and lead.
The successful candidates will:
* Be able to form a cohesive team with string colleagues in repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to the music of today
* Be a keen chamber music player and excited about the prospect of performing in many different formations under the banner of
RNS, taking the lead where necessary
* Be determined to play their part in audience development, brimming with project ideas, and be a passionate communicator about
classical music to different audiences in different settings
* Be as comfortable in learning and participation environments as they are on the concert stage, and value both equally
* Want to play a full part in the orchestral and musical life of the region and see themselves as advocates for the orchestra and
The Glasshouse ICM
Responsibilities and Duties
The role will include, but is not limited to:
* Rehearsals and performances in a range of venues and formats
* Media work, digital projects and commercial recordings
* Chamber music and ensemble performances in a range of formations
* Solo repertoire / formal recitals
* Directing performances of works where appropriate
* Working as part of a team to create new performance formats
Creative Learning is a vital part of The Glasshouse ICM and of the orchestra’s work. Duties within this area can include, but are
not limited to:
* Informal chamber music performances and recitals in community or learning settings
* Introducing performances
* Participating in planning and evaluation meetings
* Coaching of individuals and ensembles, both adults and young people
* Masterclasses
* Engagement with The Glasshouse ICM Centre for Advanced Training, which includes two ‘In Harmony’ Schools and Young Sinfonia
Selection Process, Submission Guidance and How to Apply
The recruitment process consists of three stages with the successful candidates being offered the relevant position within the
orchestra. Once all stages are complete, an offer of employment will be made and will include a probation period of six months.
This probation period will include regular feedback meetings with the Leader (and/or appropriate Section Leaders) and the Senior
Orchestra & Personnel Manager.
Information on how to submit your application, including technical guidelines and instructions on how to upload your digital
submission, can be found below.
By submitting an application, you are confirming your availability for all stages of the recruitment process as follows
Stage One: Digital Submission
Closing date: 17.00 on Monday 27 January 2025
Please submit a video recording which contains the following excerpts by 17.00 on Monday 27 January 2025:
Benjamin Britten Frank Bridge Variations: March
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine Kleine Nacht Music: Rondo, beginning to b.15 + repeat
Richard Strauss Metamorphosen (Viola 2) b.17 – 26 & b.195 – 212
Your submission needs to be recorded live, in one take and without any editing. Please note the panel will only hear the audio of
your submission.
We will aim to notify successful candidates from Stage One by the end of Friday 31st January 2025 at the latest
Please see the excerpt pack for Stage 1 attached.
Stage 2: In Person Live Audition
Wednesday 05 March 2025
Your audition will take place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2DF and will
consist of two parts.
Part A: A screened audition consisting of the first movement of a Classical Concerto (exposition only) and a contrasting piece of
your own choice. An accompanist will be provided but do bring your own if you would like to.
Part B: An un-screened audition consisting of orchestral excerpts and a pre-selected movement of chamber music with members of the
panel. The repertoire for Stage Two, part B is listed below.
Excerpts
Benjamin Britten Frank Bridge Variations: March
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine Kleine Nacht Music: Rondo, beginning to b.15 + repeat
Vaughn Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (orchestra 1, Viola 1): Letter I to end of page 3, and U-X
Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes V: Variazione Drammatica per Viola (top line)
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings: I. D-F and III, 4 bars before B-C
Richard Strauss Metamorphosen (Viola 2) b.17 – 26 & b.195 – 212
The excerpt pack for Stage 2 will be shared with successful candidates when shortlisted.
Chamber Music
Dvořák Quintet in E-flat, Op.97: 1st movement (viola 2)
Once the outcome of stage two has been communicated, candidates will be requested to provide their availability for stage three by
Friday 14 March 2025.
Stage 3: Trial (Paid work, Chamber Music, and interview)
Dates from March 2025 onwards
The final stage in the recruitment process will involve the successful candidates undertaking paid work with the orchestra in line
with the North Music Trust/Musicians’ Union Freelance Agreement.
For Principal positions this will consist of four patches of paid work, and for Sub Principal positions this will consist of three
patches of paid work. For all positions at least one patch will be centred around our core classical repertoire conducted by
Principal Conductor Dinis Sousa. You’ll also take part in a chamber music rehearsal with members of the panel and an interview
with the Leader (or appropriate Section Leaders) and the Senior Orchestra & Personnel Manager.
An additional patch of work may be offered to candidates if the panel fail to reach a consensus.
How to Create your Digital Submission
We’ve prepared a short guide to help you to upload your stage one submission video to YouTube. This will be a private submission
and will only be heard by the panel and members of the orchestra management team who will verify your submission. The panel will
only hear the audio of your submission similar to a ‘screened’ audition.
Technical Guidelines
Your digital submission should be no longer than five minutes in length and recorded ‘as live’, in one take and be unedited. Your
video should be landscape and you and your instrument should be face on and central to the camera. Please do not include any
talking in your submission.
Please use a smart phone camera your video with the internal microphone and no additional audio or visual enhancement equipment.
Please label your submission as outlined below.
If you’re using a smartphone/tablet
Step 1: Using the YouTube app (you can download for free from your relevant app store if you don’t already have it), please either
sign in or create an account. Once signed in, press the ‘video’ button in the top right corner of your screen.
Step 2: This will bring you to a menu from which you can upload your video. Once you’ve selected the video you’d like to upload,
you’ll be taken to a ‘trim’ screen. Then press ‘next’ (top right).
Step 3: Please name your video in the following format. If you’re applying for more than one position, please state what the
positions are.
Format: Initials – position applied for
Example: JB – Sub Principal 1st Violin
Step 4: At this point, you should select the option ‘unlisted’ for your privacy settings. This will allow you to share the URL
link so the Audition Panel can view your video. An unlisted video is not public and can’t be seen by anyone that doesn’t have the
link. Press ‘upload’ (Top Right). Once this has finished processing it will appear in the menu.
If you’re using a computer/laptop
Step 1: Go to [ and either sign in or create an account. Once signed in, you’ll see
‘create’ in the top right corner. Select ‘upload video’.
Step 2: This brings you to an upload screen. Press ‘select files’ to bring up your file menu. Select the video you’d like to
upload and press either ‘choose’ or ‘done’.
Step 3: After you have selected the video and uploaded it, you’ll be taken to the video details screen, where you can name and
describe the video. Please name your video in the following format. If you’re applying for more than one position, please state
what the positions are.
Format: Initials – position applied for
Example: JB – Sub Principal 1st Violin
Step 4: Press ‘next’ until you arrive at the ‘visibility’ screen. At this point you should select the option ‘unlisted’ from your
privacy settings. This will allow you to share the URL link so the audition panel can view your video. An unlisted video is not
public and can’t be seen by anyone that doesn’t have the link.
Right to Work
We welcome applications from candidates already eligible to work in the UK or those that can apply for a visa granting permission
to work in the UK (e.g. dependent visas, ancestry etc.) You will be asked to share proof of this prior to receiving any offer of
employment.
Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults
The Glasshouse is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect
all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. For posts where there is contact with children, young people and vulnerable
adults, the job advertisement and person specification will specify if a DBS check is a requirement.
Equal Opportunities Monitoring
The Glasshouse aims to be an equal opportunities employer, and it is our policy that all applicants and employees receive equal
treatment regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, marital status or civil partnership,
pregnancy/maternity or gender reassignment. Recruitment and selection procedures will be monitored to ensure that individuals are
selected and treated based on their relevant merits and abilities.