The Vancouver Island Symphony announces Canadian National Auditions for the position of:
Concertmaster
ABOUT OUR ORCHESTRA
The Vancouver Island Symphony is a professional Canadian orchestra – one of only two on Vancouver Island. The VIS presents an annual season of 7 to 9 orchestral performances at the beautiful harbour setting of Nanaimo’s Port Theatre. In addition, the VIS performs Symphony at the Sid, a series of three concerts at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay.
Under the musical leadership of Artistic Director Cosette Justo Valdés, the VIS has the purpose of offering high quality live performances with creative and current themed concert programming that attracts excellent musicians from across the country, as well as soloists from around the world, engaging a committed audience that is growing and expressing its curiosity and considerable support to our organization.
The Vancouver Island Symphony is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility, as well as a respectful workplace and abides by the Canadian Code of Conduct for the Performing Arts.
CONCERTMASTER JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting artistically to the Artistic Director, the Concertmaster will be responsible for leading the string section, serving as a liaison between the strings and the rest of the sections of the orchestra, as well as between the conductor and the orchestra.
Candidates for this position should have exceptional technical skills and experience leading chamber music and orchestral music with complete artistry. Prior experience as a concertmaster or similar leadership roles in a professional orchestra is preferred.
The ideal candidate has an inspiring and powerful presence on the stage, as well as strong communication, interpersonal and collaborative skills for rehearsals team meetings.
The Concertmaster plays an important role with Symphony Donors and hosts an annual event at a time that is convenient to them.
Start Date: October 2026-2027 Season
Compensation:
Services over 30-35 days annually from October – April and one week in July or August.
Travel fee provided from Greater Vancouver or Victoria Regions.
Hotel accommodation and Per Diem provided.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send the following information by June 30th to VIS Personnel Manager Mark Beaty at: mbeaty@vancouverislandsymphony.com under the subject Application for Concertmaster VIS:
- A cover letter and current Resume/CV in a pdf document.
- “Unlisted” youtube links to video(s): up to 30 min of video footage of a solo recital or chamber music in which the candidate is leading. These should be no older than 6 months and should specify date, place and group. Orchestral excerpts recordings are also welcome.
- Contact information for 3 references.
AUDITION PROCESS
After reviewing the material sent by all applicants, a short list of candidates will be invited for a live audition on September 9th, 2025, in Vancouver. A list of excerpts will be provided along with the invitation.
Finalists after the live audition will be invited to lead during a full weekend as a guest concertmaster with the VIS; which will include an interview and chamber music making, as well as other components of the audition that will be specified in the invitation to this final round.
For planning purposes, finalists should consider that they might be invited to one of the following weekends in 2026: January 15-18; March 12-14; April 23-25.
The successful finalists should be able to show proof of being legally entitled to work in Canada This is a contract position.
May 2025
