Section Principal Timpani, BBCSSO

BBC is hiring a Section Principal Timpani, BBCSSO in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Level rates it ; you can apply on BBC.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Tools and skills the posting cites include orchestral performance, timpani and musicianship.
Level classifies it as a senior role.
Level lists 35 other open roles at BBC.

AI in this role

Section Principal Timpani for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, performing and broadcasting orchestral repertoire.

orchestral-performancetimpanimusicianship

JOB DETAILS

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent (continuing)
DEPARTMENT: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra
LOCATION: City Halls, Glasgow
SALARY: In accordance with Musician Union Agreements

PLEASE NOTE:

In order to apply for this position, Candidates will need to register on Musicalchairs and apply via the 'Apply via musicalchairs’ button to complete a short information form. Candidates will then follow the below application and audition process: The deadline to complete the form on Musicalchairs is MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2026.

THE BBC SCOTTISH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

We have an exciting opportunity for a Section Principal Timpani to join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

As Scotland’s national broadcasting orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has been performing for audiences across Scotland, the UK and internationally since 1935. From Oban to Aldeburgh and London to Seoul (as part of BBC Proms Korea), the 2024/25 Season has been no exception. The orchestra’s live performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland and Sounds, as well as BBC Television and iPlayer.

Opening eyes and ears with ambitious repertoire beyond any benchmark, the BBC SSO is Scotland’s leading champion of new music. Across nine decades, it has commissioned orchestral music by the most original voices of its time and hosts its annual Tectonics Festival of new and experimental music each spring alongside its Creative Partner Ilan Volkov.

With Associate Artist Lucy Drever the orchestra runs projects that inspire creativity and connection with families, schools and communities across Scotland. And through a close association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the orchestra mentors the next generation of conductors, composers and instrumentalists. The orchestra supports young musical talent in BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Classical Musician competition.

Ryan Wigglesworth began his tenure as Chief Conductor in September 2022. One of the foremost composer-conductors of his generation, he has directed a wide range of repertoire with the BBC SSO including the ballets of Stravinsky, major works of Elgar, and UK premieres by György Kurtág and Composer-in-Association Hans Abrahamsen. Regularly performing at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, the orchestra is a recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and four Gramophone Awards.

Delyana Lazarova has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC SSO from September 2025, the beginning of the orchestra’s 90th anniversary concert season.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

Sit as Section Principal, leading the Timpani section.
Maintain the high standard of professional playing and musical and artistic excellence required by the Orchestra.
Familiarise oneself with the relevant parts, including any solos, in advance of the first rehearsal and performances.
Support professionally any Leaders and Conductors engaged by the Orchestra.
Take responsibility for the style, intonation, balance, ensemble, rhythm and preparation of the section in conjunction with Leaders and the Chief Conductor.
Lead and manage the section effectively, and to share responsibility with the management for the players’ performance.
Assist and consult on the compilation of the list of freelance musicians in their section.
Foster an environment in which artistic excellence flourishes.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

Extensive experience as Section Principal Timpani playing solos and full orchestra repertoire to the highest standards
Effective and Committed Team leader, sharing responsibility with the management for players’ performance.
Strong leadership and some experience in delivery of feedback.
To maintain artistic excellence and encourage in others
To work collaboratively with colleagues, management and conductors

APPLICATIONS MUST BE VIA THE MUSICALCHAIRS WEBSITE - PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY AND AUDITIONS INSTRUCTIONS:

https://www.musicalchairs.info/jobs/55645

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: MONDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2026.

How we rate this

Section Principal Timpani, BBCSSO at BBC rates 0 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Section Principal Timpani, BBCSSO is an open job at BBC.
Level rates this role AI Level 1 of 4: Little AI.
The role is based in Glasgow, GBR, G1 1NQ.
The job was posted on October 22, 2026.
Seniority: senior.
Applications are handled by BBC. Apply on BBC

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Orchestral PerformanceTimpaniMusicianship

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where orchestral performance was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where timpani was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where musicianship was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Orchestral Performance, Timpani, and Musicianship. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.

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