Assistant Principal First Violin

Position:	Assistant Principal First Violin
Remuneration:	Salary Range of AUD$93,884 - $95,978 plus 12% superannuation. QSO also provides a comprehensive instrument insurance scheme, plus instrument upkeep and clothing allowances. The Orchestra enjoys generous leave entitlements that include five weeks annual leave plus a paid mid-year break of a minimum of seven days.
Eligibility:	This position is open to Australian and New Zealand citizens and those with Australian permanent residency status.
Tenure:	Permanent full time, subject to successful completion of a 6-month trial period.
Section structure:	The First Violin section will be comprised of one Concertmaster, one Associate Concertmaster, one Principal First Violin, one Assistant Principal First Violin and ten Section Musician First Violins.
How to apply:	Please submit your CV with relevant orchestral experience and contact details as soon as possible via Musical Chairs.
Closing date:	Wednesday 8 October 2025, 5pm
Audition date:	Wednesday 3 December 2025, 9am - 5pm
Location:	ABC Building, South Brisbane

Selection Process

Interested musicians are required to submit a CV with relevant experience and contact details.

Applicants shortlisted for audition will receive details regarding the audition after the closing date.

An accompanist will be provided for live auditions.

Applicants unable to attend a live audition are encouraged to submit a recorded audition and will be provided with the requirements upon application. The deadline for recorded auditions is 5pm AEST Friday 28 November, 2025. Guidelines on recording requirements are available for download via Musical Chairs.

Audition Requirements

Set works (to be played with piano accompaniment)

• MOZART – Violin Concerto 3, 4 OR 5, - First movement only (with cadenza)

AND

• 20th Century – Any Romantic Concerto – First movement only, and cadenza if applicable

Orchestral Solos

• HAYDN – Symphony No.103, Hob.I:103, 2^nd movement (pick up to bar 85 (Fig.H) to end of bar 108)
• RAVEL – Ma mère l’Oye (Suite), 5^th Movement (Fig.2 to 4 bars after Fig.3) 
• TCHAIKOVSKY – Swan Lake, Op.20 (Act I No.5 Pas de deux, II. Andante, Fig.45 to 15 bars before Fig.47)

Excerpts

• BARTÓK – Concerto for Orchestra – finale: b.265-317
• BEETHOVEN – Symphony No. 9 – 2nd Movement: b.1-84
• BRAHMS – Symphony No. 4 – 4th Movement: b.33-64 – first violin excerpt
• BRUCKNER – Symphony No.9 – 3rd Movement: Fig. D to bar 68
• DEBUSSY – La Mer – 2nd Movement: Fig.35 to 2 bars before Fig.39
• MAHLER – Symphony No.9 – 4th Movement Adagio: b.1-27
• MENDELSSOHN – Midsummer Night’s Dream – Scherzo: b.17-93
• MOZART – Symphony No.41 (Jupiter) – 4th Movement: b.64-94
• PROKOFIEV – Romeo and Juliet Suite No.1 Death of Tybalt: Fig.70-78
• RACHMANINOV – Symphony No.2 – 2nd Movement: 15 bars after Fig.32 (Meno mosso) to 4 bars after Fig.34
• SHOSTAKOVICH – Symphony No.5 – 3rd Movement: Fig.75-79, bottom line divisi
• STRAUSS, R. – Eine Alpensinfonie: upbeat to Fig.138 until Fig.142

Excerpts will be available from Friday 22 August

Further Enquiries

Direct to Orchestra Management at: recruit@qso.com.au

Unsolicited recruitment agencies’ CVs will not be accepted.

Position Description

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL MUSICIANS (STRINGS)

General duties and work requirements of an Assistant Principal musician are to:

• work in accordance with the terms of this agreement, and
• play the instrument(s) for which the musician was auditioned.

In addition to section musicians’ duties, Assistant Principal musicians will also:

• prepare and play relevant solos;
• assist the Section Principal and Associate Principal in managing the section and
• preparing parts;

• share the musical responsibilities of the section and lead the section when required; sit on the front or second desk or in another place as required.

The parties agree that when considering the appropriateness of these additional duties, the artistic standards of the orchestra shall not be compromised.

You may review the responsibilities of musicians in our current 2025 Musicians’ Agreement.

About QSO

As one of the largest performing arts companies in Queensland and the state’s only professional symphony orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra plays a vital role in Queensland’s cultural community, educating; mentoring aspiring performers; touring regional centres; broadcasting, and performing with state, national and international ballet and opera companies. Queensland Symphony Orchestra is passionate about commissioning new Australian works and continues to invest in collaborations, recordings, and digital initiatives.