Co-principal 2nd Violin

The English Concert welcomes applications for its vacant Co-principal 2nd Violin (50%) position.

Experience in a principal position is not essential, but please ensure that your recorded materials demonstrate a high level of technical brilliance and communication skills.

Interested candidates must have had suitable training and experience in Historical Performance. At a minimum, they must be experienced in gut string playing (a minimum of three plain uncovered gut strings) and be familiar with suitable classical and baroque bows.

Thank you for your interest in this position.

Alfonso Leal del Ojo
Chief Executive

Sarah Fenn
Orchestra Manager

• Candidates submit their applications (by July 31).
• Applications are reviewed (by August 31), and selected candidates are invited to audition and play with the principal players and Artistic Director (October).
• Two candidates are invited to trial

The English Concert is one of the pioneers of the early music revival. It enjoys worldwide critical acclaim and is recognised as one of the leading period instrument orchestras in the world.

Harry Bicket has been Artistic Director since 2007. Kristian Bezuidenhout is our Principal Guest Director. The English Concert also works with its founder Trevor Pinnock and other guest directors.

VIDEO LINKS

Ensure your recorded materials show you at your best. You have free choice of repertoire, but it would be helpful if the pieces were contrasting in nature.
Recordings must not be edited.
Internal candidates, and those that have already performed with The English Concert in the position they are applying for, do not need to submit recorded materials.

WHO MAKES THE DECISION?

Invitations to join The English Concert are made by the Artistic Director. The AD is advised by principal players, members of the relevant section (excluding internal candidates) and the Principal Guest Director.

WHAT IS THE WORK PATTERN?

The English Concert enjoys a busy calendar with performances and recordings throughout the year. It undertakes a major international Handel tour annually, and it is orchestra-in-residence at Garsington Opera, where it presents one or two operas every year between mid-May and mid-July.
It appears regularly at major international festivals (BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival in the UK and throughout Europe) and is in high demand in the USA, where it regularly tours.
The orchestra often appears in the Wigmore Hall and the Barbican Centre in London.
Rehearsals and recordings usually take place in London, where the orchestra is based.

WHAT IS THE FEE STRUCTURE?

The basic fee for principal players is £180 per performance / £90 per 3-hour rehearsal, inclusive of holiday pay. Fee uplifts apply for concerto, chamber music, obligatos, recording work and Garsington Opera performances. Subsistence is paid for international work.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

The English Concert does not arrange travel or accommodation for musicians not based in London. We can contribute up to £120 for international travel. If accommodation is required, The English Concert can sometimes arrange hosted accommodation with one of our supporters.
All travel and accommodation outside of London is arranged. If it is not, Musicians’ Union / Association of British Orchestras rates apply.
We will not be able to make a travel contribution or arrange accommodation for those applying. These contributions only apply once a candidate has been appointed.

SELF-EMPLOYED OR EMPLOYED POSITION?

All musicians are self-employed and responsible for paying tax in their relevant jurisdiction. If a musician does not have their tax residence in the United Kingdom, fees will be paid gross without deductions at source unless their earnings pass the 12,570GBP threshold for a tax year (April – March). If that situation arises, 20% tax is deducted before payment. When touring internationally, fees may also be subject to taxation at source. In both scenarios, a tax certificate is issued.

Applicants’ submissions will be reviewed by the 31st of August 2022. Successful applicants will be invited to attend a play session with other principals between the 8th and 15th of October 2022.

email Sarah Fenn (Orchestra Manager) sarah@englishconcert.co.uk