Principal Bass Trombone, BBC CO

BBC; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The BBC Concert Orchestra at Broadcasting House in London seeks a Principal Bass Trombone, doubling on Tenor Trombone when required. You will maintain high musical standards across solo and orchestral performances and contribute fully to the ensemble’s activities.

This role involves UK travel, touring, and flexible evening/weekend commitments in a busy concert schedule.

Qualifications

• Excellent professional orchestral and solo playing ability.
• Knowledge of the range of repertoire of the BBC Concert Orchestra.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and develop harmonious working relationships with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrates commitment to maintain the reputation of the Orchestra.
• Participates actively as part of a diverse team, supporting colleagues.
• Demonstrates respect for others by being fully prepared and ready to play at the start of every session.
• Ability to plan ahead in order to prepare parts and make the best use of the resources available.
• Awareness of health and safety issues.

Responsibilities

• To act as Principal Bass Trombone, doubling on Tenor Trombone if required.
• To have excellent solo and orchestral playing ability, maintaining the highest musical standards
• To play a full role in the life of the BBC Concert Orchestra
• This job requires travelling throughout the UK and touring as well as evening and weekend work patterns

Skills

Orchestral performance

Solo playing

Repertoire knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Professionalism

Planning ahead

Health and safety awareness

Job description

JOB DETAILS

CONTRACT TYPE: Continuing (permanent), Full-time

DEPARTMENT: BBC Concert Orchestra

LOCATION: Broadcasting House, London

SALARY: In accordance with Musician Union Agreements

BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

The mission of the BBC Concert Orchestra is to bring inspiring musical experiences to everyone, everywhere, with the ensemble’s versatility as the key. For BBC Radio 3, the Orchestra explores a wide selection of classical and contemporary music and is broadcast weekly on Friday Night Is Music Night. It has performed on many soundtracks, including Blue Planet, Serengeti and Wild Isles for BBC One, as well as recording new music for BBC Sounds’ Music & Meditation podcast and George the Poet’s award‑winning, Have You Heard George’s Podcast? In 2022, it recorded Isobel Waller-Bridge's score for Charlie Mackesy’s Oscar winning animated film, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. It also performs in BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room Month for BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, featuring artists including Raye, P!nk and Pet Shop Boys.

The orchestra appears regularly at London's Southbank Centre, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall and venues across the UK, and makes annual appearances at the BBC Proms.

The BBC CO offers enjoyable and innovative education and community activities. It has a partnership with the universities in Nottingham, and is involved in programmes including Create Yarmouth, BBC Ten Pieces, the BBC Young Composer competition, the BBC Open Music programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/concertorchestra

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• To act as Principal Bass Trombone, doubling on Tenor Trombone if required.
• To have excellent solo and orchestral playing ability, maintaining the highest musical standards
• To play a full role in the life of the BBC Concert Orchestra
• This job requires travelling throughout the UK and touring as well as evening and weekend work patterns

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Excellent professional orchestral and solo playing ability
• Knowledge of the range of repertoire of the BBC Concert Orchestra
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and develop harmonious working relationships with a diverse range of people
• Demonstrates commitment to maintain the reputation of the Orchestra
• Participates actively as part of a diverse team, supporting colleagues
• Demonstrates respect for others by being fully prepared and ready to play at the start of every session
• Ability to plan ahead in order to prepare parts and make the best use of the resources available
• Awareness of health and safety issues

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS

WEDNESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026.

Disclaimer

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Before your start date, you may need to disclose any unspent convictions or police charges, in line with our Recruitment policy. This allows us to discuss any support you may need and assess any risks. Failure to disclose may result in the withdrawal of your offer.

For any general queries, please contact: [e-mail]

Redeployment

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and they will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.