Tutti 2nd Violin
Thank you for your interest in the above post. Here below, in summary form, is some information which may be helpful.
The Hallé
The Hallé was founded by the pianist and conductor Charles Hallé, and gave its first concert in Manchester’s Free Trade Hall in 1858. The Hallé has a permanent contract strength of 80 players (though regularly plays at 90+), and gives between 75 and 80 concerts each year in its home, The Bridgewater Hall, some of which are repeated programmes. The Hallé also performs approximately 50 other concerts outside Manchester in venues throughout the UK and overseas.
The Hallé has a number of associated ensembles including the Hallé Choir, Youth Orchestra, Youth Choir, Children’s Choir and Youth Training Choir.
Associated Artists
Music Director, Sir Mark Elder, only the ninth Principal Conductor in the Hallé’s long history, is in his twelfth season with the orchestra and conducts around 30% of the Hallé’s programmes. The Hallé frequently tours abroad and there are future plans for tours to Spain and China.
Markus Stenz (Generalmusikdirektor for the Cologne Opera and the Gurzenich Orchestra) is our Principal Guest Conductor and works with us for approximately three weeks every season.
Andrew Gourlay is our Assistant Conductor and works closely with Sir Mark Elder and takes direct responsibility for the Hallé Youth Orchestra.
Lyn Fletcher is the Leader and Paul Barritt is the Permanent Guest Leader.
The Post
As a Tutti 2nd Violin and as part of the rotation you will be expected to sit up to No.4 as and when required, and occasionally No.3.
There are 12 Contract 2nd Violins and positions 1 to 4 are numbered.
The permanent string strength of the orchestra is currently 14/12/10/8/6 and these numbers are increased for relevant concerts using freelance players.
The orchestra’s new contract guarantees a minimum of 430 sessions or calls in a year. A session will be not more than 3 hours and often less (e.g. a concert which are normally 2 hours). This is also the maximum that you will be required to undertake without your agreement and additional pay. There are checks and balances in place to prevent overwork such as a maximum number of sessions in a day (2), a week (12) and a free day structure, which equates to 2 days a week free plus statutory holidays etc. Up to 10% of sessions may be taken off, without pay, by agreement with the Concerts Director. The orchestra break for 5 weeks paid holiday in the summer, usually in one period.
Salary and Benefits
The Salary for this position is £28,270 per annum. Other benefits include a contributory pension scheme and a health insurance scheme. The Hallé also insures members of the orchestra's instruments.
The Recruitment Process
All applicants, wherever possible, will be given an audition. We may be unable to offer auditions to all players who apply and, if this is the case, players’ CVs, including references, and past professional experience will be taken into account.
Following a successful audition, applicants will be invited in on a trial basis for rehearsals and concerts. This may be for more than one period of work. The successful candidate will, at some stage, have played under the direction of Sir Mark Elder.
Some players may also be recruited for trial periods with the orchestra without audition; however, in such circumstances, they will still be required to give an audition at some point in the selection process (probably during or following one of the trial periods).
Contacts
Those directly responsible for dealing with your application and trial period etc. are:
Alex Swift – Assistant Orchestra Manager
For information on the application process, auditions and violin trial periods
alex.swift@halle.co.uk
0161 237 7010
Tom Baxter – Orchestra Manager
For those who are asked to undertake trial periods (e.g. date, fees etc.)
tom.baxter@halle.co.uk
0161 237 7016
Stuart Kempster – Concerts Director
Who heads the Department and will give any information you require at the later stages of recruitment.
stuart.kempster@halle.co.uk
0161 237 7000
The main Hallé switchboard number where all of the above can be contacted is 0161 237 7000
