Liverpool Philharmonic enhances and transforms lives through music.

At the heart of our work is the critically-acclaimed Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (the UK’s oldest) and Choir; an extensive programme of participatory work with young people and others across our community; and presentation of almost 400 concerts and events each year at our home, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Liverpool Philharmonic is rooted in our city.

We are central to Liverpool’s cultural offering, being the largest music organisation and one of the largest cultural organisations in the city, employing over 240 people. As well as our work in Liverpool our Orchestra represent the city with performances and broadcasts across the UK and around the world.

The city’s young people are a central focus of our work. Our In Harmony programme provides an intensive, daily music-making programme for over 1750 children in Everton and Anfield, North Liverpool, and we run more than 5,000 workshops and events in community settings for all ages across the City. The Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company provides a range of opportunities for music making for young people, including the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir, Children’s Choirs, and Rushworth Young Composers programme.We work in partnership with the Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust delivering programmes which support people in the Liverpool city region living with a range of mental health needs.

Liverpool Philharmonic is committed to diversity and inclusion.

We work hard to reach right across our community through our learning work, and concert programme.

We attract world class artists to perform at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and our small venue, Music Room, with a diverse programme of performances ranging from classical, contemporary, rock, pop, folk, roots, and jazz to comedy, film and spoken word. We work with many organisations and cultural partners in the City to ensure that the artists and performances we put on stage, and the audiences we attract truly represent our community.

And we are working hard to ensure that our workforce is a diverse as possible.

What is the role?

• Title: Section Player First Violin (50% Job Share)
  
• Department: Orchestra
  
• Location: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
  
• Responsible to: Orchestra Manager
  
• Contract: Part time, permanent

Principal Role

• To perform as Section Player First Violin with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in a range of musical styles and genres, orchestra and ensemble size
• To have excellent orchestral playing abilities, maintaining this to the highest musical standards
• To perform in the Orchestra at venues throughout the UK and on foreign tours, involving regular evening and weekend working

Whilst this position does not require the Musician to work exclusively with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, it is expected that the Orchestra will have priority on the Musician’s availability.

This position is a Job Share position sharing with another member of the Orchestra. Please see Guidelines for Job Shares for further information.

In accordance with Liverpool Philharmonic’s policy regarding unpaid leave, this must be agreed in advance by the Orchestra Management team and is subject to the scheduling requirements of the Orchestra.

Key Responsibilities

• To play violin in the first violin section and exemplify musical excellence at all times
• To sit up to Sub-Principal, Principal or Associate Principal as required
• Follow the direction of the Leader or Conductor regarding musical matters
• To be fully prepared and familiar with programmed repertoire, including solos, in advance of rehearsals, recordings and performances
• Participate in a positive and supportive atmosphere within the first violin section
• Uphold and model the highest standards of professional etiquette during all rehearsals, performances and recordings
• Participate in informal 1-2-1 meetings with the Leader to discuss musical & artistic performance and proactively explore training/personal development opportunities
• To participate in the musical and artistic aspects of the Orchestra recruitment process such as membership on panels
• Attendance at meetings including Recruitment Panels and Company Briefings
• Ambassadorial duties such as attending development or donor events
• To comply with Liverpool Philharmonic’s Health and Safety policies and guidance

The successful candidate is likely to be able to demonstrate the following:

• Excellent professional playing abilities
• Knowledge and experience of performing symphonic repertoire
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team with a diverse range of people
• Awareness of Health and Safety issues in general and specifically regarding noise

Orchestral Excerpts

You will be asked to submit a video of the repertoire below within the application portal:

R STRAUSS Don Juan

BRAHMS Symphony No2

MOZART Symphony No 35 (Haffner)

Details of the excerpts for both the digital submission and live audition can be found in the attached PDFs named ‘Excerpts’.

Submission guidelines:

• Your video recording must be performed ‘as live’ in one continuous take
• Your video recording must be unedited
• Repertoire must be performed in the specified order
• Candidates must not speak during the recording
• Your video recording should be landscape and you and your instrument should be face on and central to the camera
• Where possible recordings should be made approximately 2-3m from the recording device
• The panel will only hear the audio of your submission
• Your video recording is a private submission and will only be listened to by the panel

How to upload your digital submission:

Please upload your video recording for pre-selection via YouTube. For instructions on how to upload your videos to YouTube please see the links below:

Further information on how to upload videos with YouTube studio

Once you have uploaded your video, please name your video name using the following format:

Name - position applied for

To ensure your video is not public and cannot be seen by anyone that does not have the link please select the option ‘Unlisted’ from the ‘Visibility’ list.

To submit your video recording, please include the URL link with your application. Videos submitted using any other method will not be considered.

If you require any support with this process, please contact [email protected]

Key Information

• Salary: £35,610 (prorated)
  
• Employment type: Part time, permanent
  
• Holidays: 35 days (prorated)
  
• Place of Work: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Deadline

Applications are due at 12 noon on the 10th June 2024. No applications will be accepted after this time.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

If you are successful in your initial application, you will be invited to attend a live screened audition in either Liverpool or London – 19th July (London) & 22 July (Liverpool) 2024.

What benefits are offered?

Complimentary staff tickets

Complimentary staff tickets are available and employees are encouraged to attend events.

Health Cash Plan

Following two years’ service you will have access to a health cash plan with an award winning supplier. This provides cash back towards everyday healthcare bills and a range of other wellbeing benefits.

Pensions

Access to a Group Pension scheme whereby employees are auto enrolled and can enjoy employer contributions.

Musicians Performance and Wellbeing Programme

Access a comprehensive range of support for your physical and mental health and career development including injury prevention, onsite sports massage, physiotherapy, hearing health, performance coaching, training and development.

Training and Development

Individual, confidential one to one Performance Coaching is available to all Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra musicians, free of charge, as and when required, focusing on performance enhancement and artistic growth as a player.

Service Awards

Employees are provided with additional time off and cash incentives at various long service milestones.

Discounted Staff Parking

Access to half price parking for employees who choose drive in to work.

Rail and bus services

Access to the Mersey travel Season Ticket enabling the cost of annual season ticket to be spread over a period of 12 months and discounted monthly travel on Arriva bus services. Length of service awards Employees are provided with additional time off and cash incentives at various long service milestones.

Cycle to work

Cycle to Work Scheme that offers discounts on a bike and accessories, with the cost spread over a period of 12 months.