Jerwood Pit Perfect
Glyndebourne’s development scheme for young professional instrumentalists.
The players participate on an equal footing with regular players in the orchestra and are paid for their participation. We offer places to selected instrumentalists each year depending on our repertoire and which positions are available. The programme, now entering its sixth year, extends Glyndebourne’s cornerstone commitment to nurturing young talent from all backgrounds. No other programme in the country offers newly graduated players real-world professional work experience over a concentrated period by putting them straight in at the deep end – the fastest way to learn.
‘It’s so unique that you are put into a full professional orchestra and company where you can learn from experienced musicians and future colleagues without even having to ask the questions – just by watching them in action and picking up knowledge on the go’ – Yuliya Ostapchuk, violin, 2023
2025 applications
Glyndebourne is offering postgraduate instrumentalists the opportunity for paid engagement with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for a concentrated period during the 2025 Autumn season from late September until the beginning of November.
Successful applicants will join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for at least one of the Autumn productions.
Participants in the programme will be mentored by a member of the orchestra and receive further opportunities including one to one lessons and the chance to sit in on extra rehearsals/performances. They will also participate in seminars on life in the music profession.
This year there is also an extended programme of paid chamber music performances in which Pit Perfect players will also be involved.
No other programme in the country offers newly graduated players real-world professional work experience over a concentrated period by putting them straight in at the deep end – the fastest way to learn. A good number of former Pit Perfect players have gone on to receive ongoing professional work with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia.
Who can apply
- Violins (2) for La bohème
- Viola (1) for La bohème
- Cello (1) for La bohème
- Double Bass (1) for La bohème
- Flute/Piccolo (1) for La bohème
- Oboe (1) for La bohème
- Trumpet (1) for La bohème
- Percussion (1) for La bohème (see note on specific percussion application process below)
- Harp (1) for A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Students finishing their graduate or postgraduate studies during 2024 or 2025.
- Any player who has NOT gone on to pursue a postgraduate course who graduated in 2023.
- We can only accept applications from instrumentalists who are UK based.All applicants must be available for all rehearsals and performances with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for their production of La bohème or A Midsummer Night’s Dream from late September until early November 2025.
How to apply
The initial selection process will require applicants to fill out an application form and submit the following by Monday 24 February 2025:
- CV (to include orchestral and chamber music experience to date where applicable)
- Two references from musicians of standing (applicants can upload the references or have them emailed to the address below)
- High quality AUDIO ONLY recording (MP3) containing not more than 15 minutes of music, preferably including two contrasting works of your own choice, with or without accompaniment. These can be sections of works rather than whole movements if necessary. You should include at least one ‘standard’ work for your instrument. Do not include recordings of any orchestral excerpts. Orchestral excerpts will be required only if you are invited to audition. We request that applicants avoid sending performances of lesser known or contemporary works and focus on core repertoire for your instrument in your recording.
You may record your two works separately, but they must be combined into one single digital MP3 file for submission. Please label your audio file with your name, instrument and work titles.
Percussionists do not need to submit a recording. Percussionists can submit CV and references and we will contact you with details of the percussion audition process.
Successful candidates will be invited to audition in London during late March/early April 2025.
If you have any enquiries, please email: pit.perfect@glyndebourne.com
In the interests of equality, diversity and inclusion all audio recordings will be numbered and assessed ‘blind’ by our panel.
Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to being open and inclusive and ensuring our organisation is representative of the communities that we serve. To support this commitment and to help us develop our policies and procedures, we ask all applicants to complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form (link in application form).
Established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991) by Alan Grieve CBE, Jerwood Foundation is a UK charity committed to supporting excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK. Alan Grieve is now Chairman Emeritus, Rupert Tyler having been appointed as Chairman in 2023. The organisation is led by Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee. To date Jerwood Foundation has committed over £112 million to support the arts in the UK. To find out more visit jerwood.org
Image credits: Header, Pit Perfect 2024, photo by Pablo Strong