Orchestra leader

About us

The Barnet Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is looking for a dynamic musician to lead the orchestra on a long-term basis from May 2025. After many years with the orchestra, Clive Hobday is stepping down from leading the orchestra.

The BSO is a friendly, committed and ambitious non-professional orchestra made up of about 50 regular players. The orchestra has been taking an exciting new course in recent years under the direction of our Music Director, Oliver Till. Recent programmes have included Holst’s The Planets, Gershwin’s Piano Concerto, Britten’s Violin Concerto and Anna Appleby’s Bridges along with works by Beethoven, Mahler and Schubert.

In March 2025 the orchestra performs Brahms’ Requiem with two local choirs and in July 2025 the programme is Amy Beach’s Piano Concerto and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8.

We perform 3 concerts a year in North London with usually 9 rehearsals each term. Rehearsals take place on Mondays, from 7.30pm to 9.45pm (with a 15-minute break) during term time at St Margaret’s URC Church, Victoria Avenue, Finchley, N3 1BD. Concerts take place on Sunday evenings with a rehearsal typically 2.00pm to 5.00pm, usually at St John’s Church, Friern Barnet, N11 3EQ. 

Responsibilities 

• Lead the orchestra in an engaging, confident and skilful way
• Give guidance and technical demonstrations to the first violins and to the string players generally including being responsible for bowing one of each string part in advance of rehearsals
• Be a dynamic player, speak up appropriately and be able to help keep the orchestra focused
• Work constructively in close collaboration with the Music Director throughout the term to achieve the highest possible standards
• Work constructively in close collaboration with the Committee as and if requested
• Work constructively in close collaboration with the other string section leaders
• Encourage commitment, enthusiasm and confidence from the string section as a whole
• Foster a welcoming environment, encouraging dialogue and treating all members with respect and courtesy
• Lead a string/1st violin sectional when required, usually at least once per term
• Be the point of contact for the 1st violin players i.e. for communicating absence or other section related information or queries
• Be willing to help raise the profile of the orchestra in the community and where appropriate, through participation and engagement with our social media channels 

Commitment

• You are expected to lead all the planned concerts in a season
• You are expected not to miss more than one rehearsal a term, save in exceptional circumstances
• You are expected to attend the afternoon rehearsal on the day of the concert
• You are expected to provide a deputy, in consultation with the Music Director and/or the Chair of the orchestra, if you are unable to attend a rehearsal because of illness or any other unavoidable cause

Your profile 

• Considerable experience as an orchestral player and, ideally, previous experience as a (section) leader
• Enthusiastic, friendly and engaging with strong coaching skills

Terms and conditions 

• The person appointed will be a self-employed contractor to the orchestra and not an employee.
• Information relating to fees is available upon request by emailing our Chair at info@barnetsymphony.org.uk. Fee rates will be kept under review.
• Travelling or subsistence expenses are not payable other than in exceptional circumstances. 
• Contractual terms will be agreed during the appointment process.
• There will be a probationary period of one term.
• We will favour applications from candidates who are able to commit to the position on a long-term basis. 

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send the following information to us at info@barnetsymphony.org.uk.

• CV with covering letter
• Names and contact details of two referees
• Proof of right to work in the UK

We will arrange video interviews with longlisted applicants to find out what you could bring to this role and to give you an opportunity to ask us anything you’d like to know. 

We will then create a shortlist of up to 3 applicants who will be contacted by 26 April and asked to lead (part of) a rehearsal on either 28 April, 5 May or 12 May.

An appointment will be made in May with a start date of either 19 May or 2 June (leading to the concert on 6 July).

BSO is committed to promoting equal opportunities in all aspects of its work, and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified and experienced applicants irrespective of gender, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, marital status, responsibility for dependents, religion or age. For any informal enquiries about our recruitment process, the position or the orchestra, or to discuss any access arrangements you may require please contact us at info@barnetsymphony.org.uk.

Deadline for applications: Monday 31st March 2025 noon

Timeline:

31 March, noon Deadline for applications

during April Interviews via Zoom

by 26 April a shortlist of applicants invited to lead a rehearsal each

28 April / 5 & 12 May Rehearsals with shortlisted applicants

(Repertoire including Dvořák 8, Beach Piano Concerto)

by 19 May Leader appointed (first concert 6 July)