Professional Experience Scheme 26/27: BBC Philharmonic (Wind, Brass & Percussion)
Applications are now open for the BBC Philharmonic (Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Tenor & Bass Trombone and Percussion) Professional Experience Scheme.
Open to: third and fourth year undergraduates and all postgraduates enrolled at the RNCM in 2026-2027 who are not on the BBC Philharmonic’s extras list. You cannot reapply if you have completed the Scheme in any previous years.
Deadline for application: 1pm, Thursday 25 June 2026
Auditions:
Wind – Sunday 27 September
Brass – Monday 28 September
Percussion – TBC
Full audition requirements: Moodle
Application form: BBC Philharmonic PES Application Form 2026 – 2027
Our Professional Experience Scheme with the BBC Philharmonic is designed to give RNCM students the chance to experience working with members of a professional symphony orchestra and to be mentored by the members of the orchestra.
The Scheme
Wind and Brass auditions will be held at the RNCM. Percussion auditions will be held at MediaCity. The audition panel comprises BBC Philharmonic members, including section principals. The students chosen to participate in the scheme are at the discretion of the panel. All auditionees will be provided with an accompanist (with the exception of percussion).
Audition requirements for each instrument are as follows:
- Movement of a concerto as specified below, accompanied by piano
- Flute – 1st movement of either Mozart G major or D major Concerto
- Clarinet – 1st movement of Mozart Concerto in A, K622
- Oboe – Mozart Oboe Concerto, 1st mvt exposition
- Bassoon – any movement from either Saint-Saëns, Mozart or Weber Concerto
- Horn – 1st movement of any Mozart or Strauss Concerto
- Trumpet – Enesco, Legende
- Tenor Trombone – Sulek, Sonata for Trombone and Piano
- Bass Trombone – Lebedev, Bass Trombone Concerto in 1 Movement OR Bach Sarabande Suite No 5
- Percussion – No solo piece
2. Prepared orchestral excerpts that can be found on Moodle
- Sight-reading from standard orchestral repertoire
NB Please note that PES audition times are often subject to change. Although these are kept to a minimum, any changes will be communicated as far in advance as possible.
Following auditions, the BBC PES Administrator will be in touch with successful candidates to discuss induction and placements.
Induction
Students successful at audition will be invited to the BBC at MediaCityUK to meet informally with mentors and to undertake a tour of the building, including the studio. This year the induction will take place on Tuesday 20 October (further times and details are tbc).
Placements during 2026/27 Academic Year
After the induction, the successful students will be offered up to 3 programmes, depending on their instrument.
| PROGRAMME 1: | Play selected excerpts as identified by mentor (or other member of the section) in tied rehearsals |
| PROGRAMME 2: | Play selected excerpts in tied rehearsals, possibly performing in one or more pieces (at the discretion of the mentor) |
| PROGRAMME 3: | Rehearse and perform one or more pieces in the programme (at the discretion of the mentor) |
The Orchestra Personnel Manager will contact you usually 2 weeks before your placement dates, with details about obtaining electronic or hard copies of your orchestral parts.
Mentoring
Each successful student will be allocated a BBC Philharmonic mentor who will:
- guide the student, both personally and professionally, through their orchestral experience
- provide verbal feedback throughout the placement
- liaise with the section principal about progress and suitability to perform with the orchestra
- write an evaluation report at the end of the scheme which will be shared with the student and RNCM
The BBC Philharmonic’s expectations of students
The musicians and administrators of the BBC Philharmonic expect students to:
- prepare parts thoroughly and to a professional standard for rehearsals
- display an open-minded attitude to discussing issues that may arise
- respond promptly to all communications in relation to the scheme
- complete an evaluation of the scheme at the end of their placement
After the scheme
The aim of the scheme is to provide the best possible preparation for the student to pursue a career as an orchestral musician. The BBC Philharmonic is constantly looking for excellent musicians to add to its extra lists, and PES students may be considered for extra work once their time on the scheme is completed.
Students will not be engaged for any freelance work with the orchestra until they have completed all parts of their unpaid Professional Experience Scheme.
Professional Experience Schemes: Key information
Key information relating to all RNCM Professional Experience Schemes is outlined within this document. If you require additional support or guidance, please contact Abby Flood:
| The RNCM contact for this Scheme is:
Abigail Flood Ensembles Administrator M: 07976 556983 T: 0161 907 5275 |
BBC contact for this Scheme is:
Youlanda Daly Production Coordinator – BBC Philharmonic |
Please note:
- Wind, Horns, Trumpets, Trombones and Percussion can apply and audition for multiple RNCM Professional Experience Schemes and can be placed on more than one.
- All applicants are guaranteed an audition.
- You cannot re-apply for schemes if you have completed them in any previous years.
- If you are on an orchestra’s extras list, you cannot apply to take part in their Professional Experience Scheme.
- You will not receive any payment for involvement in RNCM Professional Experience Schemes.
- Successful auditionees cannot undertake freelance work with the orchestra until all Professional Experience Scheme dates have been completed.
- Late applications will not be accepted, and individual receipt of auditions will not be acknowledged.
Auditions
Auditions are a key part of Professional Experience Schemes and it is considered unprofessional to cancel at short notice. As such, any applicant withdrawing at less than 72 hours’ notice prior to audition will be ineligible to apply to that orchestra again.
Postgraduates Only
If you intend to use the Professional Experience Scheme for the Professional Placement module please keep copies of all Professional Experience Scheme applications (CV, covering letter and application pro forma) as you will be required to submit them at the end of the year as part of your Professional Placement portfolio.
You can choose to use the Professional Experience Scheme for the Professional Placement module (dependant on reaching the appropriate stage) but you do not have to choose the module in order to undertake the Professional Experience Scheme.
For questions about Professional Placement modules, please contact Andrea Vogler
