Associate 1st Concertmaster / 2nd Concertmaster (2nd/3rd seat) (75-90%)

The North Netherlands Orchestra (NNO) is the leading symphony orchestra of the three northern provinces. With over 150 years of history and a wide-ranging, innovative programme, we reach a large and diverse audience. From our home base in Groningen, we stage more than a hundred concerts a year in the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen, and beyond.   

Our mission: to open up new horizons for everyone in the north by bringing live music that moves and inspires. The NNO is a crucial catalyst for the cultural ecosystem in the region, an orchestra that effortlessly combines tradition and innovation. With a rich programme – ranging from ‘classical’ to groundbreaking crossover concerts, music education projects and research in the field of Arts & Technology – we reach audiences of all generations, in collaboration with many regional and national partners.   

Principal conductor of the NNO is Eivind Gullberg Jensen, and Hartmut Haenchen and Kerem Hasan are principal guest conductors. In addition, Antony Hermus is affiliated with the NNO as honorary conductor. The NNO employs around 70 musicians.    

The NNO introduces a wide audience to symphonic music and values a diverse orchestral organisation. For the latest information, visit www.nno.nu. 

The NNO has a vacancy for the following position: 

Associate 1st Concertmaster / 2nd Concertmaster (2nd/3rd seat) (75-90%) 

Audition date : January 25th, 2027 

Closing date for applications : December 7th, 2026 

Starting date : by mutual agreement 

Job profile 

As Associate 1st Concertmaster / 2nd Concertmaster you actively contribute to the orchestra’s performance ambitions with your excellent playing in a dedicated and vibrant string section. You support the concertmasters in performing their task and are able to function in the first seat if necessary.

In addition, you will support the NNO in areas such as music education and outreach activities, marketing initiatives, or as a member of an audition panel.  

What do we expect from you?   

• You are an experienced, passionate and versatile musician, with a wide repertoire knowledge and excellent soloistic qualities; 

• You connect, inspire and motivate the musicians of your group; 

• Preferably you have (substitute) leadership experience; 

• You have a professional and enthusiastic attitude both on and off stage and set an example for your colleagues; 

• You are a natural team player; 

• You enjoy and value being versatile, and have a positive, eager-to-learn and flexible attitude. 

What to expect from us? 

• A fixed-term contract, to be converted into a permanent contract after one year, subject to mutual satisfaction; 

• Salary: in accordance with the Dutch Orchestras’ Collective Labour Agreement, which can be found at www.vvno.nl, the website of the Association of Dutch Orchestras; 

• An orchestra that is based in the vibrant student city of Groningen, surrounded by nature, tranquillity and open spaces; 

• Plenty of opportunities for further development as a musician or in other activities; 

• Contribution to the ABP Pension Fund is compulsory. 

Compulsory works   

1. W.A. Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D KV 218 or No. 5 in A KV 219 – 1st movement with cadenza. 

1. 1st Movement with cadenza from one of the following Violin Concertos:  Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky or Sibelius.  

1. Orchestral works. 

Those candidates invited to audition will be notified of the required orchestral works. 

Application and procedure 

• The procedure consists of an audition and an interview. The audition will take place in De Oosterpoort in Groningen. An assessment may be part of the selection process.  

• The auditions are open only to EU citizens and citizens from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, or other musicians already holding a non-temporary residence permit for the Netherlands with full work authorization. An audition selection can be made based on written applications. 

• Please submit your application by December 7th 2026 along with a Curriculum Vitae, and, if you have a nationality from outside the EU, a copy of your non-temporary work and residence permit for the Netherlands. 

• Application is only possible via Muvac: https://www.muvac.com/en/vacancy/noord-nederlands-orkest-51vgwwky  

Further information 

For further information regarding terms of the contract please contact the HR department via hr@nno.nu . For more information regarding the audition procedure please contact Janneke Olthuis, Auditions Secretary 

Contact details: 

email : auditions@nno.nu 

telephone : +31 (0)50 3695800