Job Advert
Royal Northern Sinfonia
Sub-Principal Viola
Deadline for applications: 17.00 on Friday 05 September 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
https://musiciansunion.org.uk/working-performing/orchestral-work/orchestral-agreements-and-rates-or-pay/orchestral-agreements/royal-northern-sinfonia
Position in organisation and starting salary: Sub Principal Viola £38,255 (SCP 1)
Reports to: Senior Orchestra & Personnel Manager
Works in conjunction with: Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians and the Classical Team
Stage One – Digital Submission Closing date: 17.00 on Friday 05 September 2025
Please submit a video recording which contains the following excerpts by 17.00 on Friday 05 September 2025:
Excerpts:
Benjamin Britten Frank Bridge Variations: March
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusic: Rondo, beginning to b.15 + repeat
Richard Strauss Metamorphosen (Viola 2) b.17 – 26 & b.195 – 212
Excerpts for Stage One can be found in the attachment above.
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 12 September 2025 at the latest.
Stage Two – In Person Live Audition – Monday 20 October 2025
Your audition will take place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR 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 wish.
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 Nachtmusic: Rondo, beginning to b.15 + repeat
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings: mvt 1, D – F, and mvt 3, B.65 – 90 (Letter C)
Richard Strauss Metamorphosen: (Viola 3) b.417 – 429, (Viola 4) beginning to b.52,
Chamber Music
Dvořák Quintet in E-flat, Op.97, viola 2: mvt 1
We will aim to notify successful candidates from Stage Two by the end of Friday 24 October 2025 with candidates being asked to provide their availability for Stage Three by Friday 31 October 2025.
Stage 3: Trial (Paid work, Chamber Music, and Interview)
Dates from November 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 Sub-Principal positions this will consist of three patches of paid work, with one patch centred around our core classical repertoire conducted by Music Director 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.
About the Orchestra
Music Director Dinis Sousa
Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska
Principal Guest Conductor Nil Venditti
Associate Conductor Ellie Slorach
Conductor Laureate Thomas Zehetmair
Internationally renowned, calling Gateshead home.
Wherever the orchestra play and whoever they share a stage with, every performance is ‘a feast for the heart and mind’ (The Telegraph).
37 musicians at the top of their game. Electrifying music, old and new. All the talent, determination, and creativity of the North East on a worldwide stage. From their home at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Royal Northern Sinfonia share the joy and wonder of orchestral music with thousands of people across the North of England - and beyond - every year.
From symphonies to string quartets, film soundtracks to choral masses, and performances with awesome artists from Sheku Kanneh-Mason to Self Esteem, the orchestra’s members have got one of the most varied jobs there is. No two weeks are ever the same.
They look for fresh new sounds from up-and-coming composers, invite local communities to share a stage, and do everything they can to inspire and prepare the musicians of tomorrow to one day take their place. They’re also working hard to smash the barriers that can stop brilliant people getting into classical music. They’ve teamed up with national partners to support women conductors to develop their careers, to help global majority musicians get vital experience in the orchestra world, and to celebrate disabled and non-disabled musicians breaking new ground together in inclusive ensemble RNS Moves.
They travel far and wide to make sure there’s top-notch classical music on offer across the North. You’ll find them in rural churches, town halls, community centres and sports halls, as well as taking charge of concert series in Carlisle, Kendal, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland. International tours have taken them to almost every country in Europe, to Asia, South America and most recently South Korea.
With 65 years of success to build on, they’ve signed a dynamic artistic leadership to lead the way into a bold bright future. Music Director Dinis Sousa and Principal Guest Conductor Nil Venditti were both nominated in the Best Conductor category at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards 2025. Artistic Partner Maria Włoszczowska is blazing a trail directing from the violin and Associate Conductor Ellie Slorach is leading the way on concerts for schools and families.
Purpose of the Roles and Person Specification
We are looking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic musician of the highest international calibre to the position of Sub-Principal Viola.
Sub-Principal Viola
As one of two Sub-Principal positions (No. 3 & 4), these two seats rotate regularly within the section with sitting up to Principal when required.
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’s Make Music programme which includes the Centre for Advanced Training, 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 candidate 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
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.
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.
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.
Format: Initials – position applied for
Example: JB – Sub-Principal Viola
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 www.youtube.com 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.
Format: Initials – position applied for
Example: JB – Sub-Principal Viola
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
Successful applicants will be asked to present the relevant documents to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK, or asked to apply for a visa granting permission to work in the UK. 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.