Careers - Royal Scottish National Orchestra
careersrsno.org.uk/engage
2 RSNO l Musicians6-9Learning and Engagement10-13Artistic Planning14-17Presentation and Operations18-23External Relations24-29Finance and Corporate Services30-31Top Tips for Getting Started32-33How to Get Involved with the RSNO34Tips for CV Writing35Recommended Reading36Useful Links37ABOUTTHE RSNOThe Royal Scottish NationalOrchestra is one of Europe’sleading symphony orchestras.Formed in 1891 as the ScottishOrchestra, the company becamethe Scottish National Orchestrain 1950, and was awarded RoyalPatronage in 1977. Throughoutits proud history, the Orchestrahas played an important part inScotland’s musical life, includingperforming at the openingceremony of the ScottishParliament building in 2004.Many renowned conductorshave contributed to its successincluding Walter Susskind,Sir Alexander Gibson, BrydenThomson, Conductor LaureateNeeme Järvi, Walter Weller,Conductor Emeritus AlexanderLazarev, Stéphane Denève and,most recently, Peter Oundjianand Thomas Søndergård.
RSNO Careers 3INTRODUCTIONWELCOME TO RSNO CAREERS.WHETHER YOU ARE A STUDENTOR TEACHER, WE HOPE THISBOOKLET WILL BE USEFUL FORYOU TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUTTHE VARIED AND EXCITING ROLESAVAILABLE WITHIN A CAREERIN MUSIC. IF YOU SIMPLY HAVEAN INTEREST IN MUSIC ANDTHE ARTS, OR ARE PREPARINGTO LEAVE SCHOOL, THERE ISNO BETTER TIME TO STARTEXPLORING POTENTIAL WAYSFOR YOU TO GAIN PRACTICAL,VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN THEWORKPLACE.Often the most difficult factors inhelping you decide what you wantto do in the future is finding outabout the specific roles within anorchestra, and exploring the workundertaken on a day to day basis.To help you decide, it is vital to geta better understanding of how yourskills and qualities could contributetowards a particular role.During my career I encounteredmany unexpected twists andturns on a path that lead fromperforming musician to ChiefExecutive of the Royal ScottishNational Orchestra. While there aremany ways to become an orchestraexecutive there are few if anyactual university degree programsavailable to train for this position.Aside from a deep understandingof the music and financialcomponents the prerequisites areleadership skills, creative thinkingand a collaborative personality. Italso requires a strong desire to helpshape the cultural fabric of oursociety and to work towards thegreater good in our communities.In my case, I worked in everydepartment of an orchestra andacquired the basic knowledge howthings actually work.In this booklet you will findinformation on some of the rolesat the RSNO, paired with subjectsyou might consider studying atschool and recommended coursesto look into at university. There arealso interviews with people whowork at the RSNO, to help you builda deeper understanding of thedifferent job roles available.Krishna ThiagarajanCHIEF EXECUTIVE
4 RSNO CareersCONDUCTINGWHO IS THE CONDUCTOR?The conductor is the person who directs the orchestrathrough rehearsals to a performance.WHAT DO THEY DO?Their job is to unify performers, set tempo(speed), give clear instructions as to dynamics(volume) and listen critically to the shapeand sound of the orchestra. Respected seniorconductors are sometimes referred to by theItalian word Maestro (“master” as in “one whohas mastered the art”).Skills and knowledge needed: Excellent communication skills Excellent listening skills Ability to read and write music Excellent sense of rhythm Excellent organisation and timemanagement skillsThomas SøndergårdRSNO Principal Guest ConductorSubjects to consider studying:Music, English, Maths, Classics, Art HistorySome Further/Higher Education courses toconsider:Conducting courses are only offered atpostgraduate level so an undergraduate degreein a music course is needed first. These coursesare also highly competitive with usually onlyone or two students chosen to undertake thecourse per year.PGDip ConductingMMus ConductingSir Alexander GibsonNeeme JärviRSNO Conductor Laureate
RSNO Careers 5RSNO MUSIC DIRECTORPETER OUNDJIANWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?A lot of study, concentration, imagination, patience, humour,motivation and quite a lot of luck.WHAT IS THE BEST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?Making music with wonderful musicians andsharing our passion for it with many people.WHAT IS THE WORST BITABOUT YOUR JOB?Being away from home constantly.HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTS ANDWHAT HAVE YOU DONE UPUNTIL NOW?Over forty years. I’ve played 2,000 concertsas a violinist, mostly with the Tokyo StringQuartet. I’ve conducted many orchestras allover the world for eighteen years. I’ve taughtviolin, chamber music, orchestra playing andconducting, mostly at Yale (thirty-two years)but in many other places as well.HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTEDTO WORK IN THE ARTS?No. When I was seven I wanted to be a lawyer.At thirteen I wanted to play for Chelsea. Atseventeen I lost my mind and became a fulltime musician!DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAININGOR QUALIFICATIONS?Not that anyone would notice! But in fact I havebeen very fortunate to study with some of thegreatest teachers in the world and I have twodegrees from Juilliard.DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICEFOR YOUNG PEOPLE WANTINGTO WORK IN THE ARTS?Make sure you’re talented, disciplined and thickskinned!
6 RSNO CareersORCHESTRALMUSICIANSWHAT IS AN ORCHESTRA?The orchestra, or symphony orchestra, is generally defined as an ensemblemainly composed of bowed stringed instruments, percussion, woodwind andbrass instruments.WHAT DO THEY DO?There are four instrument groups in theorchestra: Strings – Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, DoubleBass Woodwind – Flute/Piccolo,Oboe/Cor Anglais, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet,Bassoon/Contrabassoon Brass – Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone,Tuba Percussion and TimpaniWithin each group of instruments, there is agenerally accepted hierarchy. Every instrumentgroup (or section) has a principal who isresponsible for leading the group and playingorchestral solos. The violins are divided intotwo groups, first violin and second violin, eachwith its principal. The principal first violin iscalled the leader and is considered the leaderof not only the string section, but of the entireorchestra, subordinate only to the conductor.The principal trombone is considered theleader of the low brass section, while theprincipal trumpet is typically considered theleader of the entire brass section. Similarly, theprincipal oboe is considered the leader of thewoodwind section, and is the player to whomall others tune. The horn, while technicallya brass instrument, often acts in the role ofboth woodwind and brass. Most sections alsohave an assistant principal (or co-principal orassociate principal).The RSNO performs across Scotland, includingconcerts in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee,Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness. The Orchestraappears regularly at the Edinburgh InternationalFestival and at the BBC Proms in London.In recent years, the RSNO has performed inShetland, Orkney, France, Germany, Spain,Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg andSerbia. The Orchestra visited mainland Asia forthe first time in 2012:13 with a tour to Chinaover Hogmanay and the first week of the NewYear. The RSNO currently has 89 members.Skills and knowledge needed: Ability to play an instrument to a very highstandard Ability to read and write music to a very highstandard Active Listening Coordination Social Perceptiveness Critical ThinkingSubjects to consider studying at school:Maths, English, Classics, Art History, MusicSome Further/Higher Educationcourses to consider: BA Arts BMus Musical Performance Music Pedagogy
RSNO Careers 7LORNA ROUGHMEMBER OF VIOLIN IWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?My job involves practising, rehearsing, and playing concerts.WHAT IS THE BEST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTEDTO WORK IN THE ARTS?WHAT IS THE WORST BITABOUT YOUR JOB?DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAININGOR QUALIFICATIONS?The best thing about my job is the incrediblefeeling of the hairs standing up on the back ofyour neck when a performance is particularlyemotional, moving or exciting. Also, having thechance to travel the world.The worst thing about my job is working everyweekend, it’s not good for your social life!HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTS ANDWHAT HAVE YOU DONE UPUNTIL NOW?I’ve worked in the arts since leaving full-timeeducation. I started out teaching the violin,then moved to Norway to play in orchestraswhere I lived for three years. Then I moved backto Scotland and have been playing in orchestrasever since.I realised I wanted to work in the arts when Iwas about fifteen. Before that I couldn’t decidebetween being an optician or doing music. I gotall my exams just in case, but my heart was inmusic.I studied at the Royal Academy of Music,London gaining a Professional Certificate(Hons) and Licentiate of the Royal Academy ofMusic. Then I got a scholarship to the PeabodyConservatory of Music in Baltimore, USA,achieving a Graduate Performance Diploma.DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICEFOR YOUNG PEOPLE WANTINGTO WORK IN THE ARTS?You have to be strong minded, very determinedand able to take a lot of criticism. There will bea lot of hard knocks along the way but you haveto follow your heart.
8 RSNO CareersDAVID HUBBARDPRINCIPAL BASSOONWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?I am the team leader of the bassoon section. This involves playingthe solos, working and coordinating with my section and the restof the orchestra. Away from the platform, I liaise with the otherSection Principals, the Leader of the Orchestra, the conductor, theartistic planning, and administration departments, about auditions orappointments, musical decisions, or simple things like time off.WHAT IS THE BESTTHING ABOUT YOURJOB?I get to do what I love most for aliving. I love the thrill of playing in abig symphony orchestra in excitingconcerts such as the EdinburghFestival or the Proms at Royal AlbertHall. I also get to travel with theOrchestra to new places that I mightotherwise never get to see such asChina, Japan, the Americas, Europeand the Shetland Isles.WHAT IS THE WORSTBIT ABOUT YOUR JOB?It has to be the less glamorouspart of the job. Getting out of bedat four in the morning to catch aplane, being unlucky with the B&B,or travelling back by car in atrociouswintry conditions after a concert inAberdeen or Inverness.HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTSAND WHAT HAVE YOUDONE UP UNTIL NOW?I have always worked in a symphonyorchestra. I was lucky enough to getmy first job soon after completingmy studies at the Royal College ofMusic, London. I moved to Spain andtook up a job in the Orquesta Ciudadde Malaga as it was called back then.I then moved to the Real OrquestaSinfonica de Sevilla and stayed for12 years before I won my present jobwith the RSNO back in 2004. I alsolove being a teacher, and if I’m notworking with the Orchestra, you willalmost certainly find me teachingthe bassoon at the RCS or DouglasAcademy, or coaching the bassoonsin NYOS.HAVE YOU ALWAYSWANTED TO WORK INTHE ARTS?I knew from an early age that Iwanted to do something whichinvolved working with people. Itwasn’t until my sixth year that Irealised for certain that I wantedto play my bassoon for a living. Myteacher at the time said somethingwhich had a profound effect on me.He said that ‘music would be with methroughout my entire lifetime’. Fromthat moment on, I was completely seton the idea of playing in an orchestra.DO YOU HAVEANY TRAINING ORQUALIFICATIONS?I studied music for six years at theRoyal College of Music in London,firstly in the junior department on aSaturday morning, and latterly as afull time student. The course which Ifollowed was the Performers Course.It was very vocational, and I wasawarded a DIp RCM Performers, andDip RCM Teachers.DO YOU HAVE ANYADVICE FOR YOUNGPEOPLE WANTING TOWORK IN THE ARTS?Firstly, live your dream. Work as hardas you can. Gain as much knowledgeas you can about whichever fieldinterests you, and let anyone youthink that might be able to helpyou along the way know about yourinterests and aspirations.Secondly, if you are thinkingabout maybe one day becoming aperformer, then where and who youchoose to study with is probablymore important than anything else.
RSNO Careers 9MEMBER OF VIOLIN IURSULAHEIDECKER ALLENWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?My job involves lots of practising and preparing at home forrehearsals, playing rehearsals and concerts with the Orchestra andtravelling around with them wherever they go.WHAT IS THE BEST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?I just love playing in an orchestra, a good oneat that! And we do travel to pretty spectacularplaces at times!WHAT IS THE WORST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?It is hard work, with many unsocial hours. Wework many weekends, or at least Saturdays,and don’t get that many holidays. We alwayshave to keep practising to stay on top of ourgame, a bit like any sports person.HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTS ANDWHAT HAVE YOU DONE UPUNTIL NOW?I always worked in music, went to collegestraight from school, and started workingwhilst I was still studying.HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTEDTO WORK IN THE ARTS?It was either arts, or health, but arts won veryquickly.DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAININGOR QUALIFICATIONS?Yes, you need them. I have two diplomas froma college in Germany where I studied first, themarks you get will decide whether you’ll beinvited to auditions. With bad marks, you won’tget a chance to play to an orchestra.DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICEFOR YOUNG PEOPLE WANTINGTO WORK IN THE ARTS?You need to want to do it with all your heartand soul, hook, line and sinker. It takes a lotof dedication to pull it through, so if you arethinking of something else you’d also like to do,do that and continue with arts as a hobby.
10 RSNO CareersLEARNING ANDENGAGEMENTWHAT IS LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT?The Learning and Engagement Department works to expand access to music and culture, inspiringindividuals, increasing confidence and exploring creative potential. It works closely with theExternal Relations Department to develop new audiences.WHAT DO THEY DO?The purpose of the Learning and Engagement programme is to provide a unique opportunity forpeople, wherever they are, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, their age ortheir health, to engage actively with their national orchestra in the magic of making and listeningto music. The Learning and Engagement team works with schools, colleges, community centres,universities, young people, children, adults and anyone who is interested in exploring their creativitythrough music. In other orchestras, this department is sometimes called Community, Outreach,Education or Creative Learning.Learning Manager, Scotland – Managesand coordinates all activity to engage allages in music-making. Manages Local AreaCoordinators.Skills and knowledge needed: A broad knowledge of classical music andcomposers An understanding of the Scottish curriculum Team work and communication skills Music reading and writing skills Organisation and good time managementskills Leading/facilitating (the ability to understandthe needs and abilities of a group is essentialin order to deliver the best activity)Local Area Coordinators – Look after specificprojects in their local area.Subjects to consider studying at school:Music, English, DramaProfessional Development Coordinator –Responsible for coordinating the Orchestra’sInspiring Performance Programme (professionaldevelopment programme).Some Further/Higher Education courses toconsider: B.Ed Music BMus (Hons) Music BA (Hons) Music BA Applied Music BMus (Hons with Education) BMus (Hons Music and Communities) MA Music Studies HNC/HND Music and Sound EngineeringAt the RSNO there are a number of roles withinthe Learning and Engagement Department:Director of Learning and Engagement –Responsible for looking at strategy andplanning. Manages all staff in the department.Learning Manager, RSNO Centre – Responsiblefor the overall management of all groups in theRSNO Centre including the RSNO Chorus andJunior Chorus.Freelance Workshop Facilitators (often RSNOMusicians) – Run workshops in schools andcommunities.
RSNO Careers 11DIRECTOR OF LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENTJENN ADAMSWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?Working collaboratively with colleagues in the RSNO to programmeand plan exciting opportunities for people of all ages to engage withthe Orchestra. Often I have to travel around the UK meeting otherorganisations and setting up partnerships with different arts organisations.WHAT IS THE BEST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?Being creative on a daily basis. My job is neverboring – there’s something new and excitinghappening every day. I also love workingwith young people and seeing them achievesomething they never thought they could.WHAT IS THE WORST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?Never having enough time! There’s so muchgoing on that in order to see and do everythingI’d have to work 24/7 and that’s not possible!HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTS ANDWHAT HAVE YOU DONE UPUNTIL NOW?I’ve worked in the arts for eight years. I wasa secondary music teacher for one year, thenprimary music and drama for two years. I thenmoved to working as a music developmentassistant for a council, then as Head of CreativeLearning for an arts organisation working indance, drama, music and visual art.HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTEDTO WORK IN THE ARTS?No. Although I’ve played the piano since I wasthree and taken drama lessons since five, atschool I was convinced that I wanted to be alawyer or a dentist. Then in my final year atschool I did some work experience shadowingour music teacher and assisting with S1 and S2classes and this made up my mind that a careerin the arts was definitely the route I wanted totake.DO YOU HAVE ANY TRAININGOR QUALIFICATIONS?B.Ed Music.DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICEFOR YOUNG PEOPLE WANTINGTO WORK IN THE ARTS?Take risks. Take any opportunity open to you –you never know where it may lead. To work inthe arts you need to have a real passion – don’tdo it for financial gain! Don’t close yourself offto one art form. Some of the most excitingwork comes from collaboration with two artforms such as music and drama.
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RSNO Careers 13NEIL CULLENDIGITAL PROJECTS MANAGERWHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?My job involves leading on engagement projects that have astrong digital element, whether that be interactivity, online oraudio/video production. It’s about harnessing new technology inorder to reach a wider audience across the whole of Scotland.WHAT IS THE BEST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?The best thing about the job is the variety!Depending on which projects I’m working on atany given time, the work can change drastically.So far there’s been an iPad game with the V&A,a project to help new bands in Glasgow add anorchestral element to their music, and an onlinehub for our new young composers competition.On top of this, most weeks I’ll be workingat some point with the rest of the team onnational schemes like Young Ambassadors.At the moment I’m focusing on a novel ideafor the RSNO’s first app and there are someother really interesting things in the pipeline.Daily I might jump between recording audio orproducing video content, planning workshops,and programming (an app, not a concert!). Notwo days are the same.WHAT IS THE WORST THINGABOUT YOUR JOB?I don’t like phone calls very much.HOW LONG HAVE YOUWORKED IN THE ARTS ANDWHAT HAVE YOU DONE UPUNTIL NOW?My background is a combination of gamedevelopment/audio production. I joined theRSNO on the back of a stint doing researchwork on an interactive broadcast system forthe FascinatE project, some time with BBC R&Dand developing a game with a team of studentsfrom Beijing.HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTEDTO WORK IN THE ARTS?If you were to ask a 14 year old to honestly saywhat he’d like to be doing now, it’d probablybe something very similar to this! Musichas been my favourite thing for as long as Ican remember. At that age, however, beforeeducation starts funneling in a certain direction,I don’t think I saw working in the arts as a veryrealistic goal. There didn’t seem a clear pathand I was scared of doi
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