Tutti Double Bass

Audition and Position Details

Tutti Bass
Audition Date Tuesday 7 October 2025

Full-time, ongoing position beginning February 2026
Annual Remuneration Package NZD74,341 - see page 6 for details

Auckland Philharmonia is Aotearoa New Zealand’s full-time professional Metropolitan orchestra,
serving the country’s largest and most vibrant city with a comprehensive programme of concerts and
education and outreach activities. To find out more, read our story on page four and check out some
of our recent recordings with Music Director Giordano Bellincampi.

Eligibility - This position is open to New Zealand and Australian Citizens and Residents
This position is currently only open to applicants who have the legal right to work in New Zealand.
This may include holders of NZ work permits depending of the specific details of the work permit.
Please check with the Orchestra Manager in this instance. This position will only become open to
international applicants if it is not able to be filled at this audition, and in this scenario an
announcement will be made on our website.

Important Dates:

Closing date for applications is Sunday 14 September 2025
Recordings to be received not later than Wednesday 24 September 2025
Please note that NZ time is GMT+12 and the deadline may fall on an earlier day for some candidates

This audition (recorded and in person*) will take place on Tuesday 7 October 2025
In person candidates should plan to be available for the entire day.

Audition Information and Procedure:
Being an Auckland Phil employee is about more than technical excellence in your chosen field. We’re
looking for individuals who resonate with our mission to inspire a life-long love of music in the diverse
communities we serve. Beyond performance artistry we also look for how your specific skills and
abilities can enhance the Auckland Philharmonia and build into our values. So, even if you don’t think
you have a typical career trajectory on your resume, we’d still love to hear from you!

We're also not about a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to recruitment. We want to ensure
everyone has an equitable experience too, so to chat through any accommodations or adjustments to
participate fully in our recruitment process, please speak to the orchestra manager at
[email protected]

To apply, interested Candidates must complete the following:
• An application form (to be completed via our website, aucklandphil.nz)

• A CV detailing recent orchestral and other professional experience
  

Audition requirements
Concerto/Solo Material

• 1st mvt of ONE of the following concertos (WITHOUT cadenza). With piano

accompaniment: Bottesini, Koussevitzky OR Vanhal

• Any dance movement from the first five Bach cello suites without repeats (no preludes)
  

Selection of Orchestral Excerpts: see our website for list of required orchestral excerpts.

Audition Procedure: Auditions in person
Auditions in person will be conducted in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, at Symphonia Music, 59
Wellington Street, Freeman’s Bay.

If you have indicated that you wish to audition in person in Auckland, confirmation of your audition
along with other audition details will be sent to you within two working days of the closing date via
email.
The general procedure for the audition day will be as follows:
The audition will be conducted in three rounds, with rounds 1 and 2 screened and the final round
unscreened.

Access
The venue has wheelchair access internally and ramp access externally. The audition room can be
accessed by stairs or by a lift. It also features multiple practice rooms and a quiet waiting area for
candidates. There is a drop-off zone outside the building and parking is available in nearby side-
streets.

If you need the online application in a different format, or there is other support we can provide
specific to your access needs to participate in the audition please don’t hesitate to contact us at
[email protected] so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.

Accompanists
The Auckland Philharmonia will provide a designated accompanist on the day of the audition for
candidates auditioning in person in Auckland, however candidates are at liberty to bring their own
accompanist (at their own cost) if they so desire.
Candidates sending recordings must organise their own accompanist for their recording.

Audition Procedure: Recorded Auditions
We accept recordings electronically via www.dropbox.com. Please note that we WILL NOT accept
any video files sent as email attachments. Please refer to our Instructions on Electronic Files for
Auditions, which will be sent to all candidates in the dropbox link they receive upon receipt of their
application.
Refer above for closing date for recordings to be received by the Auckland Philharmonia

Recordings will only be accepted with the following conditions:

• All recordings to be video recordings.

• Content to be exactly as per requirements and set list of orchestral excerpts. Please note that

• The audition should be recorded as no more than three continuous takes, one take for the

• Studio-quality recording. Candidates are advised to check the playback quality of their

• Recording Engineer or referee to confirm in writing that the recording is unedited and referee

• ‘Post production’ – candidates should separate the long files into individual files for each item

• Recordings must arrive by the specified date. Auckland Philharmonia cannot take

• Material sent electronically must follow the specified formatting and adhere to the Auckland

Short Contract Periods
The Auckland Philharmonia may select two or more musicians from the audition for a short Candidate
Contract Period before the final selection is made. The Auckland Philharmonia will provide any such
candidates with transport and accommodation necessary to complete the short contract period.

Probationary Periods
Once the final selection is made (which may or may not involve a short contract process described
above) the winning candidate will be offered the position with a probationary period of usually 12
months. If not resident in Auckland the winning candidate will be provided with one economy class
airfare. International travel will be provided only from a major international airport in the country of his
or her residence.

The winning candidate upon accepting the position may apply for reimbursement of costs directly
related to taking the audition, up to the value of NZ$500, upon provision of receipts.

Consideration for Contract Work
Candidates may indicate on the application form if they wish to be considered for contract work, in the
event that the position is not filled at the audition. Please be aware that if you check this box you are
giving permission for your identity to be revealed to selected panel members.

Please note that we are also holding a tutti violin audition in late October.

Who is the Auckland Philharmonia? Our Story

The Auckland Philharmonia is a leading performing arts organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand,
serving Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the country’s largest and most vibrant city, with concerts, events
and activities throughout the year.

The Auckland Philharmonia is internationally renowned as an orchestra of high-calibre performance,
innovation, passion and versatility. The orchestra presents more than 60 performances annually,
showcasing many of the world’s finest classical musicians as well as exciting collaborations with New
Zealand’s most inventive contemporary artists.

We are proud to support both the Royal New Zealand Ballet and New Zealand Opera in their
Auckland performances. We also work in partnership with Auckland Arts Festival, Auckland Live and
the University of Auckland, among other organisations.

Through our Learn & Participate programme we offer numerous opportunities for over 20,000 young
people and adults to get involved with the orchestra, in schools and communities throughout
Tāmaki Makaurau.

More than 250,000 people experience the orchestra live each year, in the concert hall and through
special events, recordings, livestreams and other media offered to viewers globally.

As a registered charitable trust, we are grateful for the ongoing support of our core funders Auckland
Council, Creative New Zealand and Foundation North and many other organisations and individuals,
who help us to continue enriching our wonderful city and its people through music.

Some recent recordings include Tristan und Isolde, Respighi Pines of Rome, Fisher and Kavanagh
Papatūanuku, and Ravel Piano Concerto in G. You can also learn about our 2025 season and our
vibrant community and education programmes here.

Why Auckland?
Watch two of our musicians talk about their music journey to and within Auckland here:

https://www.aucklandnz.com/city-of-music

Why Auckland Philharmonia?

• We believe that you do your best work when you are your whole self so we have a number of

benefits for employees including an Employee Assistance Programme offering free

counselling, health coaching and career advice, and regular physio visits.

• Paid leave: 4 weeks paid authorised break in the summer shut down plus two further

scheduled authorised break weeks throughout the year. Every effort is made to align these

break weeks with NZ school holidays. In additional all NZ employees have 10 days paid sick

leave, and paid bereavement leave and paid family violence leave if required. NZ

government offers 26 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers (see eligibility).

• Reimbursement of NZD500 to cover audition costs to the winner
  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
As with many orchestras around the world, we continue our work to ensure the Auckland
Philharmonia is an equitable and inclusive workplace. To ensure we’re embodying the values and
principles of EDI in our workplace culture we are committed to:

• Equitable and transparent pay: pay rates are published in our policies and procedures; every

tutti player receives the same pay, every section leader the same as the others, and so forth.

This assures that there is no pay discrimination based on gender, race, or other factors.

• Holding open auditions: Every eligible* candidate who comes to audition or sends a recording

will be heard.

o *in some cases auditions will only be open to musicians legally able to work in New

Zealand at the time of the audition, due to immigration requirements. The job ad will

always make clear whether or not the audition is open to musicians of all

nationalities.

• Screened auditions: The first two rounds of our auditions are screened, eliminating as much

bias as possible. The final round is unscreened, in an effort to allow our panels to consider

the final candidates as whole people – we know that the potential you bring to our team is

more than only your performance artistry but also informed by your communication and

interpersonal skills, your individual skills, perspectives and backgrounds.

• Recording options: Recorded candidates are heard and assessed with equal weighting to in

person candidates. We have a robust audition policy to ensure this, which is reflected by the

fact that in the past 4 years, 50% of our auditions have been won by candidates submitting

recordings. Allowing recorded auditions means that candidates who may have another

professional commitment on the day of our audition, or for whom the travel cost to New

Zealand would be prohibitive, are able to participate.

• Fair and transparent probationary periods: the assessment process throughout the

probationary year is clearly communicated to the musician. Feedback is always delivered in a

formal setting with written minutes, and in the presence of an impartial manager.

• Musician involvement: All musicians have the opportunity to have a voice on committees

which shape the organisation, such as players committee, health and safety committee,

social committee.

• Community Partnerships: Strong organisational ties and support to Sistema Aotearoa, which

provides free music tuition to students at low decile schools in South Auckland, where the

students are primarily Pasifika and Māori.

• Supporting Biculturalism: Organisational training in cultural competency has begun in 2024,

and we are excited about where this will lead us.

• Showcasing artists from diverse backgrounds: While acknowledging there is much work to be

done in our sector, we intentionally programme to ensure we feature artists of traditionally

underrepresented demographics on our concert stages.

Tutti Bass: Position Details and remuneration

The Auckland Philharmonia has a core Bass section of five players. These are Section Principal,
Associate Principal, Sub Principal and two Tutti. There is usually also a 3rd tutti player contracted for
portions of the season.



Primary duties for Tutti Bass will include:

• Rehearse and perform to a high standard as a member of the Auckland Philharmonia Bass

• Be fully prepared in advance of the first rehearsal. Preparation of parts will include all pitches,

• Follow the direction of the Section Principal, Concertmaster and Music Director in all matters

• Ensure all performance parts are marked with all relevant information in a concise and timely

• Sit in any chair of the section including the first desk or second desk at the direction of the

• Be available within reasonable expectations for meetings with MD, Concertmaster, Section

• Maintain a full professional appearance and standard of behaviour and comply with Auckland

• Attend auditions for vacancies in the orchestra as per the requirements of the Appointment of

Auckland Philharmonia musicians are full-time employees. This position offers a (gross) Annual
Remuneration package of NZD74,341. In addition and depending on eligibility, Kiwisaver
contributions (New Zealand's voluntary retirement savings scheme) also apply.





Any further enquiries contact the Orchestra Manager [email protected]