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VACANCY FOR ORCHESTRA LEADER

Long Ashton Orchestra is looking for a new leader. This is a great opportunity for a violinist with orchestral experience and aspiration.

Current roles available

Leader of Long Ashton Orchestra:      

  • Grade 8 standard or above, and experience of orchestral playing
  • Ability to lead the section and whole orchestra in a supportive way
  • A team player who can work with conductor and committee.

(Potentially) Leader of 2nd violins

  • Grade 7 or 8 standard, and experience of orchestral playing
  • Ability to lead the section in a supportive way

Tutti players in Violin 1 or 2 sections

  • Grade 6-8 level, ideally with some experience.
  • Ability to sight read classical repertoire.

Who we are

Long Ashton Orchestra is a friendly, welcoming orchestra – aiming high, but remaining inclusive of all our players. Our regular musical director is Chris Holley, who is a young music educator, conductor and player from Cardiff. He is brilliant and very supportive of all of us. Our members come from Bristol, North Somerset and beyond.  

Repertoire

LAO gives at least three public concerts each year. Recent repertoire (mainly classical and romantic) includes:

  • All nine Beethoven Symphonies and several by Haydn.
  • Overtures: William Tell, Barber of Seville
  • Schumann Cello Concerto

We meet every Tuesday evening 7.30-9.30 at Keedwell Church, Long Ashton. The next season starts on Tuesday September 2nd, and we are rehearsing Brahms 2nd Symphony and some shorter pieces for a concert on November 8th 2025.

To apply for the role of orchestra leader

If you’d like to find out more about this role or any of the other roles, you are welcome to contact our chair:  val.williams.longashton@gmail.com

To apply, just send us an outline of:

  • Your experience of violin and orchestral playing.
  • Your standard or level.
  • Any leadership or solo experience
  • Aspirations and ideas for the future

This is not a paid role, but would not incur the usual membership subs.

We will welcome you to come along for a trial rehearsal, so you can decide whether to take your application further. For the leader role, we will then organise an informal audition on

September 23rdor September 30th 2025.

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