Section Principal Percussion, BBC CO

CONTRACT TYPE: Continuing (permanent), Full-time
DEPARTMENT: BBC Concert Orchestra
LOCATION: Broadcasting House, London

PLEASE NOTE:

In order to apply for this position, Candidates will need to register on Musicalchairs and 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 Musicalchairs is Monday 19th January 2026.

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 Petshop 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.

• To act as Section Principal Percussion doubling as required
• To have excellent solo and orchestral playing ability, maintaining the highest musical standards
• To be an effective and committed team leader when leading the Section, and 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 ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Excellent professional orchestral and solo percussion playing ability, including LA.
• Knowledge of the range of repertoire of the BBC Concert Orchestra
• The ability to both lead and work collaboratively to inspire and contribute to performances that meet the highest musical standards by providing artistic direction and by motivating members of the Section
• Effective people and performance management skills, including the ability to give constructive feedback, deal with sensitive issues and to make difficult decisions
• 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

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: MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 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.

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.

Benefits

Here you will benefit from:

• Fair pay and flexible benefits including a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care and gym.
• Excellent career and professional development.
• Support in your working life, including flexible working which you can discuss with us at any point during the application, selection or offer.
• A values-based organisation where the way we do things is important as what we do.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief.

Disability confident

We are a disability confident employer. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the interview process, or to carry out this role, please contact us via email and we'd be happy to discuss: