Section Principal 2nd Violin
Scottish Opera is seeking a Section Principal 2nd Violin to join The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Deadline to apply: Monday 2 February 2026, 5pm
The Scottish Opera Props Department is a centre of excellence for Prop Making in Scotland. The department is looking to increase its pool of Prop Makers and invites all interested makers to submit their CVs and portfolios.
We are also often recruiting for jobs in stage crew, stage management, electrics and in our scenic construction workshops. For any prospective applications in these departments please contact: recruitment@scottishopera.org.uk.
Our Diversity and Equality Commitment
At Scottish Opera, our mission is to speak powerfully through all our work in order to entertain, inspire, surprise, challenge and delight audiences throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. We know that having a diverse workforce is essential if we are going to deliver our mission.
We are committed to promoting equality and ensuring that no one is denied opportunities or discriminated against through prejudice or exclusion due to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people that are under-represented in the Performing Arts and at Scottish Opera including those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. We have supportive working practices and work towards providing wherever possible a working environment that is inclusive and accessible for those with caring responsibilities.
This diversity of thought paired with a culture of inclusion is vital for us to continue to create work that is for everyone. This makes Scottish Opera a great place to work, where people are valued for who they are.
We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and equally.
Scottish Opera strives to be an equal opportunities employer and is subsidised by the Scottish Government. Registered Number SC037531. Scottish Charity Number SC019787.
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Scottish Opera receives core funding from the Scottish Government. Registered Number SC037531 Charity Number SC019787
About the role
Music Director – Stuart Stratford
Salary – £816.00 per week plus benefits
Scottish Opera takes world-class opera to all corners of Scotland and beyond, ensuring that as many people as possible can enjoy this wonderful art form. The company is Glasgow based and the Orchestra performs main stage and medium-scale operas, participates in education and outreach work and performs concerts and recordings.
We invite applications for the position of Section Principal 2nd Violin. Players have a contractual guarantee of a minimum of 29 weeks of work per year, and in November each year receive 5 months’ notice of their contracted weeks of work for the year that commences from April.
Auditions for this position will take place in Glasgow and Manchester on the following dates:
1st Round (Panel to listen to AV Recordings and consider Anonymised online Portfolios – Screened)
Thursday 10 February 2026
2nd and 3rd Rounds (in person) – Glasgow & Manchester
Glasgow
Sunday 1 March 2026
(2nd round in the AM and 3rd round in the PM)
Manchester
Friday 6 March 2026
(2nd round in the AM and 3rd round in the PM)
All candidates must be able to demonstrate a pre-existing right to work in the UK and documentary proof of this will be requested prior to auditions.
How to apply
Applicants should apply via Musical Chairs. To be considered for an audition, your application must include all of the documents specified on the Musical Chairs website. If you have any queries regarding your application, please contact our
Heather North, Orchestra Manager,at
heather.north@scottishopera.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is Monday 2 February 2026 at 5pm, after which the panel will select candidates to go through to the in person 2nd Round.
We have a strong commitment to promoting equality, and we particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in the performing arts.
Our diversity and equality commitment
At Scottish Opera, our mission is to speak powerfully through all our work in order to entertain, inspire, surprise, challenge and delight audiences throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally. We know that having a diverse workforce is essential if we are going to deliver our mission.
We are committed to promoting equality and ensuring that no one is denied opportunities or discriminated against through prejudice or exclusion due to age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. We particularly encourage applications from people that are under-represented in the Performing Arts and at Scottish Opera including those from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people. We have supportive working practices and work towards providing wherever possible a working environment that is inclusive and accessible for those with caring responsibilities.
This diversity of thought paired with a culture of inclusion is vital for us to continue to create work that is for everyone. This makes Scottish Opera a great place to work, where people are valued for who they are.
We are committed to treating all applicants fairly and equally.
Scottish Opera strives to be an equal opportunities employer and is subsidised by the Scottish Government. Registered Number SC037531. Scottish Charity Number SC019787.