Senior Orchestral Arranger: Lead Scores & Collaborations

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Exclusive performances

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Orchestral Arranger to shape scores for orchestral and chamber ensembles. The role requires translating ideas into professional-grade scores and collaborating with composers, conductors, and performers to preserve musical integrity.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of orchestral arranging experience, strong music-theory foundations, and proficiency in Sibelius, with a track record of high-quality musical documentation and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music Composition, Arranging, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of professional orchestral arranging or composition experience with a published/performing portfolio.
• Exceptional proficiency in music theory, harmony, counterpoint, and orchestration across genres.
• Expertise in Sibelius (preferred) or equivalent notation software.
• Strong understanding of orchestral instruments, ranges, and idiomatic writing.
• Excellent aural skills and ability to transcribe music accurately.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills for diverse artistic teams.
• Keen ear for detail and high-quality musical documentation.
• Experience with electronic music production or sound design is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Compose and arrange original scores for orchestral and chamber ensembles per project requirements.
• Transcribe musical ideas from recordings or lead sheets into professional scores and parts.
• Collaborate with composers, conductors, and performers to refine arrangements.
• Use notation software (Sibelius) to produce clear, accurate scores.
• Adapt arrangements for different instrumentation or ensemble sizes as needed.
• Research historical performance practices and musical styles to inform arrangements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior arrangers or interns if applicable.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while preserving quality.
• Contribute creative input during conceptualization and development of new projects.

Skills

Music theory

Harmony

Counterpoint

Orchestration

Transcription

Teamwork and communication

Independent work

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Music Composition/Arranging

Tools

Sibelius

Job description

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Orchestral Arranger to shape scores for orchestral and chamber ensembles. The role requires translating ideas into professional-grade scores and collaborating with composers, conductors, and performers to preserve musical integrity.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years of orchestral arranging experience, strong music-theory foundations, and proficiency in Sibelius, with a track record of high-quality musical documentation and