Simon.Pickel — Project Manager
Chamber Orchestra of Europe
Allington House
150 Victoria Street
London SW1E 5AE
Tel: +44-20-7630 2900
Fax +44-20-7630 2910
E-mail Simon.Pickel@coeurope.org

1. In the first instance, please send a current Curriculum Vitae (Lebenslauf) and a cassette recording/CD of any 'Classical' repertoire preferably by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven or Schubert to the above address. Please do not send a recording of music from the 'Romantic' period or of any contemporary composer. The recording need not be made on professional equipment. Please record at least one movement of the works chosen.
2. A short-list of candidates is made, and those selected are invited to audition as is mutually convenient. You will be notified of the result of your application and yourtape/CD will be returned to you. For logistical reasons it may take some time before we are able to assess your recording. Auditions normally take place in Berlin, Frankfurt, Köln, Paris, London and Graz but other venues can be arranged depending on where the orchestra will be performing.
   
   Viola audition requirements are:
   
   
   • a first movement and cadenza from either the Hoffmeister or Stamitz concertos
   • a movement of solo Bach
   • orchestral excerpts sent in advance.
   
   Sibelius: Symphony No 3
   Beethoven: Symphony No 7
   Shostakovic No 14
   Mendelssohn Symphony 4
   Prokovief Symphony 1
   Mendelssohn Scherzo from Midsummer Night's Dream
   
   Cello audition requirements are:
   
   
   • a first movement and cadenza from a Haydn Concerto
   • a movement of solo Bach
   • orchestral excerpts sent in advance.
   
   Mozart Symphony No 41
   Schubert Symphony No 2
   Wagner Siegfried Idyll
   
   We do not have any vacancies for Cello at the present time but applications for guest work are welcome.
   
   The Bass section are not holding any auditions at present, but if you are interested in COE please send us a CV for future reference. The section occasionally reduces and enlarges depending on repertoire. All members play German bow, although this is not a precondition for any guest player. With certain conductors, the section uses gut strings and historical bows "ad libertum".
   
   Bass audition requirements are:
   
   
   • Two movements from either the Dittersdorf, Vanhal, or Bottesini Concertos
   • a contrasting piece of your own choice
   • orchestral excerpts sent in advance.
   
   Mozart Symphony 41 second and fourth movements
   Beethoven Symphony 5 Scherzo
   Beethoven Symphony 9 Recitative
   Schubert Symphony 8 (C major) Scherzo
   Schoenberg Chamber Symphony 2 second movement
3. The auditions are judged by the playing members of the orchestra; the members of the relevant section.
4. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified by letter as soon as possible after their audition. Regrettably we are not able to advise you of the result immediately after the audition or give any feedback.
5. Successful auditionees will also be advised by letter after the audition and offered a trial for membership, or as a guest as appropriate. The trial process can take some time. We do not appoint directly after the audition.
6. Only the Principal players of each group have a fixed seat. All tutti members of the viola, cello and bass section rotate position in the section.
7. All members of the relevant section have an equal vote in the final decision, including the Section Leaders.
8. The COE's schedule is deliberately confined to approximately ten projects, spread throughout the year (100-110 days) in order for its members to be able to pursue parallel careers as international soloists, members of eminent chamber groups and orchestras, and as tutors and professors of music. It is a requirement of membership that at least 70% commitment be given (i.e. minimum of 63/77 days). Every member of the orchestra is paid at the same rate. Players may live anywhere in Europe. There is no written contract of membership and players are booked on a freelance basis. Pension plans, Health and Instrument Insurance, Personal tax etc. are all the responsibility of the individual.