Jerwood Pit Perfect

The players participate on an equal footing with regular players in the orchestra and are paid for their participation. We offer places to selected instrumentalists each year depending on our repertoire and which positions are available. The programme, now entering its ninth year, extends Glyndebourne’s cornerstone commitment to nurturing young talent from all backgrounds. No other programme in the country offers newly graduated players real-world professional work experience over a concentrated period by putting them straight in at the deep end – the fastest way to learn.

‘ I am reflecting on how fortunate I feel to have been a part of Pit Perfect this year. To have played a small part in Glyndebourne’s Autumn Season was a total joy, and I know this is thanks to the expert curation of individuals who care as deeply about the real togetherness and collaborative spirit of ensemble playing as they do about the technical standard and musical result. To have been a part of this cello section, to play chamber music alongside members of the Sinfonia — I really loved every minute of it.’ Hannah Scarborough, cello 2024

Successful applicants will join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for at least one of the Autumn Season productions.

Participants in the programme will be mentored by a member of the orchestra and receive further opportunities including one-to-one lessons and the chance to sit in on extra rehearsals/performances. They will also participate in seminars on life in the music profession.

This year there is also an extended programme of paid chamber music performances in which Pit Perfect players will also be involved.

No other programme in the country offers newly graduated players real-world professional work experience over a concentrated period by putting them straight in at the deep end – the fastest way to learn.

Many former Pit Perfect players have gone on to receive ongoing professional work with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia.

Available positions for Autumn Season 2026

There are a total of four positions available to join the Glyndebourne Sinfonia this Autumn Season in Rossini’s The Barber of Seville:

• 2 violins
• 1 viola
• 1 cello

Applications from other instruments will not be accepted.

Applications will close on Friday 27 February 2026.

Applications are open to the following only

a/ Students finishing their graduate or postgraduate studies during 2025 or 2026.
or
b/ Any player who has not gone on to pursue a postgraduate course who graduated in 2024.

We can only accept applications from instrumentalists who are UK based.

All applicants must be available for all rehearsals and performances with the Glyndebourne Sinfonia for their production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville from late September until early November 2026.

Application requirements

The initial selection process will require applicants to fill out the application form and submit the following by Friday 27 February 2026:

• CV (to include orchestral and chamber music experience to date where applicable)
• 2 references from musicians of standing (applicants can upload the references or have them emailed to pit.perfect@glyndebourne.com)
• High quality audio only recording (MP3) containing not more than 15 minutes of music, preferably including two contrasting works of your own choice, with or without accompaniment. These can be sections of works rather than whole movements if necessary.
  • You should include at least one ‘standard’ work for your instrument.
  • Do not include recordings of any orchestral excerpts. Orchestral excerpts will be required only if you are invited to audition.
    We request that applicants avoid sending performances of lesser known or contemporary works and focus on core repertoire for your instrument in your recording.

You may record your two works separately, but they must be combined into one single digital MP3 file for submission.
Please label your audio file with your name, instrument and work titles.

In the interests of equality, diversity & inclusion all audio recordings will be numbered and assessed ‘blind’ by our panel.

Successful candidates will be invited to audition in London during March/April 2026.

If you have any queries, please email pit.perfect@glyndebourne.com

Glyndebourne is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a Registered Charity. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are committed to being open and inclusive and ensuring our organisation is representative of the communities that we serve. To support this commitment and to help us develop our policies and procedures, we ask all applicants to complete our Equal Opportunities Monitoring form.

Pit Perfect Encounters 2025. Photo by Pablo Strong

Established in 1977 for John Jerwood MC (1918-1991) by Alan Grieve CBE, Jerwood Foundation is a UK charity committed to supporting excellence and emerging talent in the arts in the UK. Alan Grieve is now Chairman Emeritus, Rupert Tyler having been appointed as Chairman in 2023. The organisation is led by Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee. To date Jerwood Foundation has committed over £112 million to support the arts in the UK. To find out more visit jerwood.org

Image credits: Pit Perfect 2024, photos by Pablo Strong