Assistant Principal First Violin

Exceptional musicians are invited to apply for the role of Assistant Principal First Violin with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Position: Assistant Principal First Violin

Remuneration: Salary Range of AUD$93,884 – $95,978 plus 12% superannuation. In addition, you will receive instrument and clothing allowances of $2,504.83 per annum.

QSO also provides a comprehensive instrument insurance scheme, health and wellbeing programs and the Orchestra enjoy generous leave entitlements that include five weeks annual leave plus a paid mid-year break of a minimum of nine 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: One concertmaster, one associate concertmaster, one principal first violin, one assistant principal first violin and ten section musicians.

How to apply: Please submit your CV with relevant orchestral experience and contact details as soon as possible via Musical Chairs.

Audition date and times: Friday the 19th of June 2026, between 9am – 5pm.

Application closing date: Friday the 5th of June 2026, 5pm.

Location: ABC Building, 114 Grey Street South Brisbane, Queensland

Selection Process:

Interested musicians are required to submit a CV with relevant experience and contact details. Excerpts will be made available to applicants after application.

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 Friday 5th June, 2026, 5pm. 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, 2nd movement (pick up to bar 85 (Fig.H) to end of bar 108)
• RAVEL – Ma mère l’Oye (Suite), 5th 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

• MOZART – Symphony No.39 K.543, 4th movement (bar 1 to first beat of bar 41)   
• BEETHOVEN – Symphony No.9, Op.125 3rd movement (bar 99 to bar 114)  
• MENDELSSOHN – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op.61, Scherzo (8 bars before Fig.A to 16 bars before Fig.E)  
• BRAHMS – Symphony No.4, Op.98, 4th movement (bar 33 to bar 82)  
• DEBUSSY – La Mer, 2nd movement (Fig.33 to 6 bars after 38)   
• BARTÓK – Concerto for Orchestra, 5th movement (bar 277 to bar 317)  
• STRAUSS, R. – Also Sprach Zarathustra Op.30, (17 bars after Fig.3 to Fig.6)  
• STRAUSS, R. – Don Juan, Op. 20 (beginning to 13 after Fig.C)  
• VERDI – La Traviata, Act III: Prelude (first 40 bars, up to entry of Violetta/Annina recit)  
• MAHLER – Symphony No.5, 4th movement, Adagietto (upbeat to Fig.2 to half bar of bar 59)  
• SHOSTAKOVICH – Symphony No.5, Op.47, 1st movement (Fig.9 to Fig.12)  

Further Enquiries:

Direct to Orchestra Management at: [email protected]

Unsolicited recruitment agency 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.

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.