Principal Percussion, BBC Philharmonic

Permanent - Full Time

Salford - Media City Studios

Job Closing Date: 22 October 2025

Continuing Contract

Location: The Studios, BBC MediaCityUK, Salford

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 Wednesday 22 October 2025.

BBC PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

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 Ruo's City of Floating Sounds, an immersive symphonic experience, at the cutting-edge Aviva Studios in Manchester. 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 Clyne's 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 Angel's 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.

• To sit as Principal Percussion stepping up to Section Principal Percussion 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 - to be a passionate team player with a commitment to maintain and enhance the reputation of the orchestra.

KEY CRITERIA

Applicants should aim to meet a majority of the following 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 to inspire members of the wider orchestra.
• Interpersonal skills: ability to participate as part of a diverse team and to support colleagues, conductors and freelancers

AUDITIONS INFORMATION

Auditions will be held in the BBC Philharmonic's studio at MediaCityUK on November 24, 25 and 26

First Round

All applicants must submit an audio visual file of the attached excerpt booklet to Musical Chairs. 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 be judging 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 audition in our studio in Salford at MediaCityUK

No solo piece is required. Candidates will be asked to play unprepared pieces from the standard orchestral repertoire chosen by the panel on standard orchestral instruments. For reference all the standard repertoire is available in the Raynor Carroll Percussion Excerpts series of books.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2025