Search for new RSNO assistant conductor

Scotland’s national orchestra is looking for an assistant to new music director Thomas Søndergård.

Applicants are invited to submit their credentials for consideration by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) for the position of RSNO assistant conductor, which starts this autumn.

The RSNO assistant conductorship is a two-year post and is a rare opportunity for emerging conductors keen to develop their talent and experience. Previous post-holders have found their time with a major symphony orchestra significantly improving their career prospects, such as current chief conductor of the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra David Danzmayr and Music Director of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra Christian Kluxen.

Current RSNO assistant conductor Holly Mathieson, whose tenure concludes at the end of the 2017/18 Season in June, joined the Orchestra in 2016, and has worked with such conductors as current music director Peter Oundjian, music director Designate Thomas Søndergård, Valery Gergiev and Sir Roger Norrington.

As well as leading the RSNO for programmes as part of the Orchestra’s Season, its learning and engagement activities and for partners children’s classic concerts, Mathieson has conducted performances for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (NYOS), with whom she is Resident Conductor.

Beyond Scotland, the exposure from her work with the RSNO has led to ongoing engagements with London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, RPO, Southbank Sinfonia, BBCNOW and CBSO, among others.

Successful candidates will be invited to the RSNO Centre, Glasgow in August for audition with full orchestra, where applicants will be invited to conduct a mixture of repertoire in front of a panel including RSNO Music Director Designate Thomas Søndergård.

Following the audition, three candidates will be invited to the final round of interviews, from which the new RSNO assistant conductor will be selected.

As RSNO assistant conductor, the successful candidate will conduct a variety of the Orchestra’s concerts and will also play an active role in engaging audiences and communities throughout Scotland. In addition to many conducting opportunities, a key aspect of the RSNO’s assistant conductor role is to receive a supportive mentoring and learning environment, through ongoing professional evaluation and guidance from the RSNO’s new music director Thomas Søndergård and player-mentors in the Orchestra.

Furthermore, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with guest conductors, and develop the multi-faceted leadership, organisational and public-address skills required of modern conductors.

Holly Mathieson said: ‘I would urge conductors who are preparing to make the leap to the professional world to consider applying for this post. It has been one of the most valuable experiences of my career. The opportunities it affords are seldom available; to closely work with world class musicians, conductors, and integrate more fully with an arts organisation’s administrative staff, it provides a holistic experience which can be as enlightening as it is rewarding.

‘More than ever, conductors need to be aware of what it takes to run a successful professional symphony orchestra, and the exposure to all areas of the organisation provides just that. In addition, it’s been a joy to conduct a variety of concerts over the two years, from children’s concerts to main Season programmes. I wish the next successful candidate the very best in the advancement of their career.’

Applicants are invited to send a covering letter, CV, repertoire list, video work sample and full contact information for three professional references by Friday, 25 May, to assistantconductor@rsno.org.uk.

For any queries regarding the submission, contact Bekah Cork via email: Bekah.Cork@rsno.org.uk or call +44 (0)141 226 3868.