The Chamber Orchestra of Europe (COE) is currently inviting applications for the position of Principal Cello (50%).

Acknowledged as “the finest chamber orchestra in the world” (BBC 2 Television), the Chamber Orchestra of Europe was founded in 1981 by a group of young musicians graduating from the European Community Youth Orchestra (now EUYO). It was their ambition to continue working together at the highest possible professional level.
There are now about 60 members of the COE who pursue parallel careers as international soloists, Leaders and Principals of nationally-based orchestras, as members of eminent chamber groups, and as tutors and professors of music.
It is their wealth of cultural backgrounds and shared love of music-making which remain at the heart of their inspired performances.

From the start, the COE’s identity was shaped by its partnerships with leading conductors and soloists including Claudio Abbado and Nikolaus Harnoncourt.

Currently, the Orchestra works closely with Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir András Schiff and Robin Ticciati who are Honorary Members (following in the footsteps of the late Bernard Haitink and Nikolaus Harnoncourt), and also Sir Antonio Pappano.

The COE has strong links with many of the major festivals and concert halls in Europe.
The Chamber Orchestra of Europe has been "Residenzorchester Schloss Esterházy" in Eisenstadt since 2022. In partnership with the Kronberg Academy, the COE also became the first-ever Orchestra-in-residence at the Casals Forum in Kronberg in 2022.
The COE works for roughly 90–110 days per annum divided into approximately 10–12 projects spread throughout the year.
The COE has two Principal Cellists who are expected to share the workload equally, i.e. approximately 50 days each per year.

Every member of the orchestra is paid at the same daily rate. There are occasional additional fees for chamber music and solo work as applicable.
Members are contracted per project on a self-employed basis and are responsible for their own Personal Tax and Social Security in their country of residence, Pension plans, Health and Instrument Insurance etc.

The successful applicant will be resident in Europe and will have the necessary paperwork in order to work and travel freely within the European Union, including the ability to provide valid A1 forms when requested.

Unfortunately the Chamber Orchestra of Europe is unable to reimburse expenses incurred by any candidate to attend the audition

(a) a first movement and cadenza from a Haydn Concerto (accompanied)

(b) a movement of solo Bach (unaccompanied)

(c) a first movement of a Romantic Concerto (own choice, accompanied)

(d) orchestral excerpts sent at the point of invitation