Section Leader Cello, Royal Northern Sinfonia in Gateshead

Deadline for applications: 17.00 on Monday 20 July 2026

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: Section Leader Cello £49,056 (SCP 24)

Reports to: Senior Orchestra & Personnel Manager

Works in conjunction with: Royal Northern Sinfonia musicians and the Classical Team

We welcome applications from all nationalities. 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. If you don’t currently have the right to work in the UK, we can discuss your longer-term options and help support with visa applications where necessary.

Stage One – Digital Submission Closing date: 17.00 on Monday 20 July 2026

Please submit a video recording which contains the following excerpts by 17.00 on Monday 20 July 2026:

• Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No.8, Trio b.45 – 78
• Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No.2, 3rd mvt b.1 – 25, 71 – 99
• Richard Strauss Le bourgeois gentilhomme, figs. 84 – 85

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 24 July 2026 at the latest.

Stage Two – In Person Live Audition – Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September 2026

Your audition will take place at The Warehouse, 13 Theed Street, London, SE1 8ST and will consist of two parts:

• Part A: A screened audition consisting of the first movement of Haydn Cello Concerto No. 2 in D (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:

• Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No.8, Trio b.45 – 78
• Benjamin Britten Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge, March
• Johannes Brahms Piano concerto No.2, 3rd mvt b.1 – 25, 71 – 99
• Joseph Haydn Sinfonia Concertante, 2nd mvt b.15 – 20 and 3rd mvt b.145 – 175
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Symphony No.40, 1st mvt bars 114 – 134
• Dmitri Shostakovich String Quartet No. 8, figs. 62 – 63
• Arnold Schoenberg Verklärte Nacht b.259 – 265, 320 – 344
• Richard Strauss Le bourgeois gentilhomme, figs. 84 – 85

Chamber Music:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quartet No.22, K.589 2nd mvt - Larghetto

We will aim to notify successful candidates from Stage Two by the end of Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Stage 3 – Auditions with Royal Northern Sinfonia – Monday 02 November 2026

An orchestral audition with Royal Northern Sinfonia playing pre-selected repertoire, conducted by Music Director Dinis Sousa. This will take place at The Glasshouse ICM, St Mary’s Square, Gateshead, NE8 2JR.

The repertoire for Stage 3 will be drawn from:

• J S Bach Orchestra Suite No.2 in B Minor, Overture b.1 – 119
• Joseph Haydn Symphony No.8 “Le soir”, final mvt
• Johannes Brahms Symphony No.3, 3rd mvt ‘poco allegretto’ to fig. B
• Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No.9, 4th mvt ‘presto to b.92
• Johannes Brahms Piano Concerto No.2, 3rd mvt, bars 1 –25
• Béla Bartók Divertimento for String Orchestra, b. 222 – 394

Royal Northern Sinfonia play at A=440. We will aim to notify successful candidates from Stage Three by the end of Wednesday 04 November with candidates being asked to provide their availability for Stage 4 by Wednesday 12 November.

Stage 4: Trial (Paid work, Chamber Music, and Interview) Dates from January 2027

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 Section Leader positions this will consist of four 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.

Purpose of the Role and Person Specification

We are looking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic musician of the highest international calibre to the position of Section Leader Cello. As one of six string Section Leader positions in the orchestra, the Section Leader Cello is one of the key roles in Royal Northern Sinfonia. The successful candidate will be able to form a cohesive team with string colleagues in orchestral programmes across repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to the music of today, while also displaying soloistic virtuosity and charisma in orchestral solos and solo concertos. They will be a keen chamber music player and excited about the prospect of performing in many different formations under the banner of Royal Northern Sinfonia, taking the lead where necessary. They will 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. They will be as comfortable and at home in learning and participation environments as they are on the concert stage, and value both equally. They will want to play a full part in orchestral and musical life in Tyneside and see themselves as advocates for the orchestra and The Glasshouse.

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
• Working as part of a team to create new performance formats
• Section Leader meetings and other orchestral committee work
• Attending receptions and speaking to audience members, individually and from the stage

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:

• Giving informal performances and concerts in the community or in schools
• Participating and leading workshops and creative composition writing sessions in schools
• Engagement with The Glasshouse’s Make Music programme which includes the Centre for Advanced Training, two ‘In Harmony’ Schools and Young Sinfonia and RNS work with young people, including schools concerts
• Coaching of individuals and ensembles, both adults and young people
• Participating in planning and evaluation meetings

Selection Process, Submission Guidance and How to Apply

The recruitment process consists of four stages with the successful candidate being offered the position with the Orchestra. Once all four 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 a relevant member of the panel and the Senior Orchestra and Personnel Manager.

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.