ERSO is one of London’s leading and longest established amateur orchestras, working to a very high standard with Principal Conductor Christopher Stark.  Each season we hold 3 Sunday concerts at St John’s Waterloo (Sunday rehearsals at Camden school for Girls) plus 2 side-by-side outreach workshops with Camden children.

In 2022 we established an Assistant Conductor position.  We have been delighted with how the experience has gone with our first two role-holder and we are now planning to appoint our third Assistant Constructor in summer 2026 with the role commencing in September 2026.

The aim of this role is to provide valuable, paid experience to a promising young conductor who would otherwise face significant barriers in becoming established in the industry.  We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups including London-based women, trans and non-binary conductors. Applicants who can articulate how they have encountered barriers to progress and why this role would therefore be transformative to their prospects would also be very welcome.

This opportunity is likely to be most suitable for conductors who already have conducting experience, will likely have completed their formal studies and who are looking to make conducting their primary vocation.

The role involves:

  • preparing all of the scores being played by ERSO in the season
  • taking rehearsals in the absence of the Principal Conductor
  • conducting pieces and orchestral excerpts in each concert
  • a large amount of podium time in front of a highly skilled group working on challenging repertoire which will build experience and confidence
  • the chance to develop contacts leading to other professional opportunities
  • mentoring and feedback from Principal Conductor Christopher Stark.

The role will commence in September 2026 and last for one season, with an option to extend to two years.

Fees will be £50 per 3-hour rehearsal and £110 for concert days, equivalent to around £1,600 over a 12-month season.

Application Process: Send a CV highlighting relevant experience and explaining why this role would be transformative to your professional development to ERSOinfo@gmail.com by April 19th 2026, 

A video is not required but if candidates do have a video of their conducting, we would happily review this.

We plan to interview a shortlist of candidates and will invite selected candidates to audition in the summer at one of our orchestra rehearsals where they will be given a 20-minute slot to work on a specified section of Shostakovich’s 1st Symphony.