What we’re looking for

Scottish Ballet is recruiting a Principal Bassoon (freelance) for its Orchestra.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of Scotland’s award winning national dance company.

Scottish Ballet welcomes applications from all communities and backgrounds, building a diverse workforce that reflects the people of Scotland. We provide specialist support for those who have experienced discrimination or face barriers to inclusion.

What you need to know

The Scottish Ballet Orchestra (SBO) tours with the company (on a freelance basis) for approximately 18 weeks per year to major venues throughout Scotland and the UK, performing an eclectic mix of repertoire from contemporary electronica such as Mikael Karlsson’s Coppélia, to Peter Salem’s jazz-inspired A Streetcar Named Desire, and classics such as Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, and the upcoming Winter season Cinders! with music by Prokofiev.

Who we are

Scotland’s national dance company. We’re based in Glasgow and perform on stage and screen, nationally and internationally, promoting Scotland’s pioneering spirit far and wide. As well as bold new versions of the classics and ground-breaking commissions, Scottish Ballet runs an extensive community engagement programme fostering wellbeing and encouraging creativity through dance. Find out more about us at https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/about-us

How to apply

Auditions for the position of Principal Bassoon will be held in Edinburgh on 5 December 2025.

Auditionees will be asked to prepare Mozart Bassoon Concerto (1st mvt. only), as well as excerpts from:

• Rite of Spring
• Marriage of Figaro
• Swan Lake
• The Firebird
• Romeo and Juliet
• The Nutcracker
• The Snow Queen (Rimsky-Korsakov)
• Ravel Piano Concerto

An excerpts booklet will be sent to applicants who are successful in securing an audition.

Successful auditionees will be awarded a trial period with Scottish Ballet.

If you would like to be considered for an audition, please email your cover letter, CV and details of your place of residence to recruitment@scottishballet.co.uk

Please note we are required to check if prospective candidates have the right to work in the UK. It would be helpful if you could confirm this along with your application.

Any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at the above email address. Please also advise where you heard about this opportunity.

Deadline for receipt of application is 5pm, Friday 7 November 2025.