< Auditions

CO-PRINCIPAL CELLO

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is the leading symphony orchestra in Estonia, vivid and versatile, adept in performing wide array of traditional symphony music likewise keeping a keen interest in contemporary music.  Having a busy schedule of weekly concerts we take pride in performing with renowned conductors and soloists from around the world and cooperating with numerous highly acclaimed record companies.   Undertaking 1-2 international tours yearly is customary, plus multiple concerts performed throughout Estonia.

ERSO is pleased to announce an audition for
CO-PRINCIPAL CELLO
(full time, commencing earliest availability, paid leave amounts to 35 holiday days annually, monthly remuneration will be clarified following the budget update by the end of 2025).  

To apply, please send your application and CV (no official application forms are provided) to audition@erso.ee, with a quoting reference “Cello”, by December 5th, 2025 at the latest, along with a link to a video recording, where you perform:

  • ­Beethoven Symphony No. 5: 3rd mvt , from the beginning until bar 79 and bars 141-218 (the marked excerpts from the provided audition repertoire on our website**);
  • a cello solo from Rossini Ouverture to Guillaume Tell. Excerpt 1: from the beginning until Allegro 5)** and
  • ­a short piece of your own choice, accompaniment permitted.

The video recording must be filmed with one camera, the player facing the camera so that also both, the player’s hands and the instrument, can completely be seen throughout. Any post-processing of the sound or picture is prohibited. All required music must can be recorded separately or in one take. The recording should be sent to us as a link to an unlisted YouTube video.

Invitations to the stage audition will be sent to selected candidates by December 12th the latest, after the initial review of the sent videos and documents by the audition committee.

The stage audition will be held on February 2nd, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. at the Estonia Concert Hall.

For the stage audition please prepare:

I Round

  • ­Franz Joseph Haydn. Cello Concerto No. 2, Hob. VIIb:2, 1st movement with cadenza and
  • ­cello solos**.

II Round

  • the first two movements of a romantic cello concerto of candidate’s own choice and
  • ­orchestral excerpts and cello solos**.

Audition and job details:
The audition will be held in three rounds – the video round, the stage round and the orchestra round.

The stage audition will take place during the course of one day. Only live performances are possible. ERSO will not supply participants with visa invitations and will not pay for travelling nor other expenses incurred by candidates.

On the basis of the stage round, selected candidates will be asked to play in the orchestral round, participating in turn in ERSO’s concerts and related rehearsal periods.  The winner of the audition will be announced after the orchestral round.

Tutti rehearsals (4hrs daily) are held on working days, concerts are usually on Fridays. Depending on orchestration, the cellists receive a tutti-reheals-free week at least every 2 months. Our new colleague has the oportunity to play on an ERSO-provided Cello made by a renowned luthier. The working language in ERSO is Estonian.

For further guidelines on working in Estonia, please refer to the government-supervised websites www.workinestonia.com, www.settleinestonia.ee) .

** Orchestral excerpts and solos are available on our website under the audition announcement for the video round immediately, for the stage round will be sent with the invitations.