We are recruiting four Fellows, one from each section of the orchestra, limited in the first year to the following instruments:  

• Strings: Violin or Viola  
• Woodwind: Flute, Piccolo, Bassoon or Contrabassoon  
• Brass: French Horn or Trumpet  
• Percussion and Timpani or Harp 

Instruments not listed here will be recruited for in the 2023-24 Fellowship, and will include Cello, Double Bass, Clarinet, Eb Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe, Cor Anglais, Trombone, Bass Trombone, and Tuba.

You will be an emerging orchestral musician who is performing at the standard required to play in a professional orchestra, and may be: 

• in part or full time higher education with commitment to pursue orchestral music performance, or   
• recently out of higher education but not yet established in orchestral career, or  
• considering a career change/ move into orchestral work   
• have not yet established an orchestral career 

We acknowledge that our orchestra and our industry is not fully reflective of the diverse society in which we live. Therefore, at Round 1, we are taking Positive Action to prioritise applications from emerging musicians from backgrounds that are currently underrepresented in UK orchestras. Where applicants meet all the required criteria at Round 1 (including performance and supplementary criteria), and have a protected characteristic, these applicants will be guaranteed a live audition in Round 2.

You must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK. Applicants should be aged 18+ on 30 June 2022, with no upper age limit.

We are looking for Fellows who commit to our values: 

• Are striving towards excellence in their playing  
• Are a team player, and able and willing to immerse themselves within Liverpool Philharmonic and all that we do  
•  Welcoming – be an ambassador for Liverpool Philharmonic in our communities, within the sector, and to future fellows  
• Must be able to demonstrate a desire for learning, personal development and a passion for music 

Round 1 – Application form and video audition

You can apply in 2 simple steps: 

• Record a video of your audition as per the guidelines within the Application Pack. Upload videos onto YouTube and share links with us on the application form.  
• Complete the online application form. There are options to do this on video if that is preferred 

At Round 1 your audition includes 2 excerpts and a section from a piece of standard solo repertoire (unaccompanied) – please note it is slightly different for Harp.

Round 2 - Live auditions  

If you are successful in your initial application and audition in Round 1, you will be invited to attend a live audition in Liverpool. Provisional dates for these are as follows:  

• Thursday 10th March 2022 - Brass
• Thursday 24th March 2022 - Strings
• Thursday 31st March 2022 - Woodwind
• Thursday 7th April 2022 - Harp & Percussion

Dates will be confirmed for each instrument as soon as possible. We will provide a travel contribution of up to £50 for each candidate attending Round 2 live auditions.

How to Apply:

To apply, download the application pack below  for full details.

If you have any additional queries, please review the FAQs below, or contact Nikita Richmond, Learning Projects Coordinator (Nikita.Richmond@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 210 2904)  

APPLICATION PACK

Please use the following links to download the Audition Requirements for both Round 1 and 2. 

Violin 

Viola 

Flute 

Piccolo 

Bassoon 

Contrabassoon 

French Horn 

Trumpet 

Percussion & TIMPANI

Harp 

If you would like more information about the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Emerging Musicians Fellowship 2022-23, please download the Application Pack for full details, criteria, timeline, and how to apply.  

If you have any additional queries, please review the FAQs below, or contact Nikita Richmond, Learning Projects Coordinator (Nikita.Richmond@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 210 2904) 

• What is the closing date for applications?
  • The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Wednesday 26 January 2022. Late applications will not be accepted.  Liverpool Philharmonic accepts no responsibility for applications not received.

• What instruments can I audition on? 
  • Violin, Viola, Flute, Piccolo, Bassoon, Contrabassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Percussion & Timpani, and Harp 

• Can I apply on more than one instrument? 
  • Candidates can apply for more than one instrument where relevant (e.g. flute and piccolo as two separate auditions). If you are applying for Piccolo or Contrabassoon, please note you will also have to play Flute or Bassoon in Round 2 of auditions and within the Fellowship.  

• I don’t own a piccolo or contrabassoon, can I still apply on those instruments? 
  • Yes you can, as long as you are able to borrow one for the time required during the Fellowship. 

• I don't have access to the required percussion instruments for the Round 1 audition video, is that ok?
  • Yes you are welcome to use an appropriate alternative (e.g. an alternative tuned percussion instrument for the glockenspiel excerpt). Please contact us if you have any concerns about this so we can support you with your application.

• I have had one orchestral trial am I eligible? 
  • If you have had one trial we would encourage you to apply, but if you have had more trials, and are currently performing consistently with professional orchestras then this may not be the opportunity for you. 

• How much does it cost to apply? 
  • We do not want financial circumstances to be a barrier to anyone applying for this Fellowship, therefore it is free to apply. If you are invited to Round 2 live auditions in Liverpool then a travel contribution of up to £50 will be provided. We will also be happy to discuss individual circumstances at Round 2 where appropriate.

• Can I apply if I am still studying? 
  • Yes, if you are at a suitable performing level then you are eligible, but you would need to make sure you can take time out of your studies to participate in the Fellowship. Applicants must be 18+ on 30 June 2022.

• Do I need to be a UK citizen? 
  • No but you must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK, and proof of this will be required prior to confirmation of places on the Fellowship. 

• Do I need to speak English fluently? 
  • You will need to have good command of English as all rehearsals and mentor sessions will be in English. Rehearsals can be fast paced so this will be essential. 

• Where will the sessions in the Fellowship take place? 
  • The Fellowship activities will mostly take place in Liverpool at our main home at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall but will include other local venues. 

• Will I get paid if I am appointed as a Fellow?  
  • Fellows will receive a fee of £2000, paid in 5 instalments (before induction, after each subsequent patch of work, and at end of Fellowship). The RLPO Emerging Musicians Fellowship is not a full-time course nor is it employment, or considered equivalent to employment by Liverpool Philharmonic. Fellows will be contracted as freelance musicians, solely for the duration of the patches of work in Liverpool. 

• Will I be reimbursed for travel costs? 
  • Candidates invited to live auditions at Round 2 will be offered a travel contribution of up to £50. 

• Will accommodation be provided? 
  • One nights accommodation is provided as part of the initial induction. 

• How do I record the Round 1 Audition video? 
  • See the Application Pack for full guidance on how to record your video. We will only accept videos filmed on mobile phones, that are unedited (single continuous take) and show clearly who is performing. The panel will only hear audio of the video during shortlisting, but videos will be watched by other internal staff to ensure they meet the required specifications before shortlisting.

• I can only record my audition on a phone – is that ok? 
  • Yes we are asking all applicants to record their audition on a phone. 

• What do I need to play as part of the audition? 
  • All Audition Requirements for each instrument are available to download on our website. 

• Where is the online application form? 
  • You can apply through our online form here

• I can’t make the Round 2 Live Audition date what can I do? 
  • Unfortunately, due to the nature of the orchestral schedule we are not able to offer any alternative dates or times for auditions. 

• Will there be sightreading in my audition? 
  • There may be a short piece of unprepared sightreading in your Round 2 audition. 

• Will I be informed if I'm unsuccessful at Round 1, and will I receive any feedback?
  • Yes, all candidates will be kept updated at all stages of recruitment. We aim to provide all candidates who have submitted a video audition with brief feedback on why they were unsuccessful. Candidates successfully reaching Round 2 live auditions will receive detailed feedback from the panel, even if they are not appointed as a Fellow

• I have another question not listed here 
  • Please get in touch with Nikita Richmond, Learning Projects Coordinator (Nikita.Richmond@liverpoolphil.com or call 0151 210 2904)