Deadline
Aug 14 2026 at 5:00 PM PDT
Information
2nd Bassoon Announcement
Position effective January 2027
Application with one-page resume must be received on or before Friday, August 14, 2026
All audition rounds will be screened, and are to be held Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Tacoma, WA.
Northwest Sinfonietta (NWS) is the premier professional chamber orchestra of the greater Puget Sound area. Our mission is to inspire people through music and invigorate the concert experience. We are committed to deepening our community engagement, and offer ongoing professional development to our members to expand awareness and abilities to serve this goal. Currently, the orchestra performs regular season concerts in Tacoma and Puyallup venues, and community concerts in other Puget Sound venues.
NWS works with Artistic Partners, who share leadership with the orchestra members and board in steering the ensemble. This makes us uniquely flexible to respond to the needs of our artists and our community. The artistic mission of the ensemble is designed and developed by Artistic Vision and Artistic Personnel Committees, which comprise Artistic Partners, orchestra members, NWS staff and board, and community members. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force works seamlessly with these committees, to inform choices about repertoire, performers, community engagement and more. The orchestra’s regular season includes un-conducted concerts led by the NWS concertmaster and principal players. Members are encouraged to actively participate in promoting the artistic growth and vitality of the organization.
About the position: NWS is a per-service orchestra, with most rehearsals during daytime hours the week of each concert performance. Compensation and working conditions are defined by a Master Agreement negotiated with an Orchestra Committee of three representatives elected by NWS members.
For the 2026-27 season, section player pay is $151.00 per service, and players are offered an average of 20-25 services during the season. Our region is rich with musical opportunity in the many ensembles and educational institutions here, and our members are able to perform and teach in a broad range of settings. (See http://www.classicalseattle.com/ensembles/)
If offered employment, you must be prepared to show your eligibility to work in the United States no later than October 16, 2026. If you are not authorized to work in the U.S., NWS cannot assist with obtaining the necessary visa or authorization, or the cost of doing so.
Audition Repertoire:
The following list represents all materials which could be requested in any round of audition. Finalists may be asked to play excerpts with NWS's Principal Bassoon. All rounds of the audition will be screened.
Solo
Mozart Bassoon Concerto in B-flat Mvt. 1 (exposition)
Orchestral Excerpts (1st Bassoon Part)
Stravinsky Pulcinella Suite Toccata, 1 measure before 69-71
Gavotta, Variation 2a
Beethoven Symphony No. 4 Mvt. 1, mm. 65-82
Mvt. 4, mm. 15-25, mm. 184-190, mm. 300-302
Orchestral Excerpts (2nd Bassoon Part)
Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major Mvt. 2, mm. 1-32
JS Bach Mass in B minor Quonian (all)
Ravel Piano Concerto Mvt. 3, 2 measures before rehearsal 14 to rehearsal 16
Emilie Mayer Faust Overture Mm. 1-8
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 Mvt. 2, mm.1-35
Mozart Symphony No. 35, Haffner Mvt. 4, mm. 9-37
To Apply:
Please complete the online application form and attach a one-page resume no later than Friday, Aug 14, 2026 at 5:00pm.
Applicants selected for live audition will receive further instructions including a pdf of the orchestral excerpt selections no later than Monday, Aug 17, 2026 and location and time information. If you are unable to travel to Tacoma but would like to be considered for an audition, please indicate that in the form.