Black Lives in Music: Recruiting Classical Woodwind Extra Work Auditions

In collaboration with eight of the UK’s leading orchestras, Black Lives in Music (BLiM) will be holding professional development workshops and auditions for woodwind players in Spring 2026. We welcome all woodwind players from the global majority (musicians from Black, Asian and ethnically traditionally underrepresented groups) to apply. Selected candidates will be invited to take part in professional development workshops ahead of auditions, based on level of experience. The professional development workshops will include woodwind sectional rehearsals, orchestral excerpt masterclasses and mock auditions. The aim of these workshops is to equip participants with the necessary skills to achieve success in future orchestral auditions. Selected participants will have the opportunity to work with musicians from the following orchestras:

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO)
The Hallé
London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (RLPO)
Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)
Ulster Orchestra

Workshops will take place in Spring 2026 and will be followed by extra work auditions.

All applicants must have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate music degree or equivalent. Current undergraduate students (3rd year and above) will also be considered.

Professional development workshops will be held in London and Manchester in March/April 2026.

Auditions will be held as follows: NOTE YOU WILL NEED TO ATTEND BOTH AUDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED BY ALL EIGHT ORCHESTRAS. 

Saturday 9 May 2026 – Auditions in London when you will the opportunity to audition for a place on the extra lists for LPO, RPO, BSO and CBSO

Monday 11 May 2026 – Auditions in Manchester or Liverpool when you will have the opportunity to audition for place on the extra lists for RLPO, Halle, RNS and Ulster Orchestra.

Auditions will be screened.

Apply here: https://blim.org.uk/recruiting-classical/
Deadline: March 4 2026, 5pm.