Sub Principal No.3 Cello

BBC; Salford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious orchestra is seeking a Sub Principal Cello who may step up as Principal No.2 Cello. The ideal candidate will have outstanding orchestral and solo playing abilities, alongside a passion for a range of repertoire. The position offers the chance to enhance the orchestra's reputation and work collaboratively with diverse teams. Auditions will take place at MediaCityUK, with a closing application date of 8th November 2025.

Benefits

Excellent career progression

Unrivalled training and development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Defined pension scheme

Discounted dental health care and gym access

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to maintain high musical standards.
• Passion for orchestral music and its repertoire.
• Proven skills in teamwork and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Sit as Sub Principal No.3 Cello stepping up to Principal No.2 Cello as required.
• Support and develop positive working relationships with conductors and orchestra members.
• Play a key role in the life of the BBC Philharmonic.

Skills

Outstanding orchestral and solo playing abilities

Knowledge of the repertoire performed by the BBC Philharmonic

Ability to lead and work collaboratively

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Location: The Studios BBC MediaCityUK Salford

Salary: 44566 per annum

We offer:

• Excellent career progression the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• Unrivalled training and development opportunities our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
• Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental health care, gym and much more.

PLEASE NOTE:

In order to apply for this position Candidates will need to apply via the Apply via musicalchairs button to complete a short information form. Candidates will then follow the below application and audition process: The deadline to complete the form on is 8th November 2025.

INTRODUCTION

One of the most celebrated broadcast ensembles in the world, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra’s distinctive energy, lightning speed and iconic musical character has moved and inspired audiences for over 100 years. Founded in 1922 as the 2ZY Orchestra, the Philharmonic has played an essential part in shaping the Greater Manchester region into an unmissable cultural destination and a hub for world‑class talent in orchestral music.

Outside of the Philharmonic Studio, their broadcast home at MediaCityUK, the orchestra presents a flagship series at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall as well as live concerts recorded in venues across the country at the BBC Proms and on tour. Whether encountered in the concert hall, heard on the air, seen on television or streamed on BBC Sounds and iPlayer, the work of the orchestra is enjoyed by millions of listeners every year.

The orchestra’s Chief Conductor is John Storgårds, an inspiring musical leader who has built a close relationship with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra over many years, and Anja Bihlmaier is the Principal Guest Conductor. The trailblazing musical storyteller Julia Wolfe is the Orchestra’s Composer in Residence for 2025/26.

Artistic innovation and the development of a new audience for classical music has been a keen focus of the orchestra for many years. In June 2024 the Philharmonic gave the world premiere of Huang Ruos’ City of Floating Sounds—an immersive symphonic experience at the cutting‑edge Aviva Studios. In March 2025 the Orchestra followed up with its latest collaboration with Aviva Studios, Philharmonic Sessions: The Augmented Orchestra featuring the UK premiere of Anna Clynes’ PALETTE. Upcoming UK and world premieres in the 2025/26 season include music by Laura Bowler, Edmund Finnis, Gabriella Smith, Julia Wolfe and the UK premiere of Angels Bone, the Pulitzer Prize‑winning opera by Du Yun produced in collaboration with English National Opera and Factory International.

Engagement work for children and young people continues to be a vital part of the orchestra’s work. At the end of 2023 CBeebies broadcast Musical Storyland, a 10‑part television series produced by the Philharmonic featuring the musicians of the orchestra. The series brings to life famous stories from around the world using the power of music. This was the first time an orchestra has been commissioned to make a series of films for UK network television. To date Musical Storyland has been requested over thirteen million times on BBC iPlayer.

OF THE ROLE

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To sit as Sub Principal No.3 Cello stepping up to Principal No.2 Cello as required.
• To demonstrate excellent orchestral and solo playing abilities, maintaining the highest musical standards.
• To support and develop positive working relationships with conductors, freelancers and all members of the orchestra.
• To play a key role in the life of the BBC Philharmonic, be a passionate team player and commit to maintaining and enhancing the reputation of the orchestra.

KEY CRITERIA

• Outstanding professional orchestral and solo playing abilities.
• Knowledge, passion and appreciation for the range of repertoire performed by the BBC Philharmonic.
• Ability to lead, motivate and work collaboratively to provide artistic direction and inspire members of the wider orchestra.
• Interpersonal skills: ability to participate as part of a diverse team and support colleagues, conductors and freelancers.

AUDITIONS INFORMATION

Auditions will be held in the BBC Philharmonic’s studio at MediaCityUK on December 10th, 11th and 12th 2025.

First Round

All applicants must submit an audio‑visual file of:

• The opening 15 bars of the slow movement of Brahms Symphony No.2.
• Bars 104 to 112 inclusive of James MacMillan’s The Confessions of Isobel Gowdie.

This will be used to shortlist for the second unscreened round in Philharmonic Studio. No CVs will be shared at this point and Musical Chairs will remove the video element of your audition. The panel will judge accuracy of playing rather than the quality of the recording and further guidance is given on this process upon application.

Second round

Successful first round candidates will be invited for an unscreened audition in our studio in Salford at MediaCityUK. Please prepare all the extracts from the booklet provided upon application.

Candidates will be asked to play

• Elgar – In the South
• One excerpt from lists A, B and C
• William Tell – the opening cello solo and Brahms 2nd Pf Concerto 3rd movement (all solo cello passages)
• All candidates will also be given a short piece of prepared sight‑reading on the day.

Solo pieces

The exposition only of either Haydn C major or Haydn D major concerto (1st mvt). The exposition only of the 1st movement of a romantic concerto of candidate choosing.

• The excerpts for rounds one and two will be available to candidates upon application.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE VIA THE MUSICALCHAIRS WEBSITE – PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY AND AUDITIONS INSTRUCTIONS.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 8th NOVEMBER 2025

Required Experience: Staff IC