Irish National Opera Orchestra Open Auditions 2026
Wednesday, 4 March, 2026
The Irish National Opera Orchestra is seeking to recruit orchestral musicians to join the pool of freelance musicians from which individuals are engaged on a project-by-project basis.
ABOUT THE INO ORCHESTRA
As Ireland's national opera company, INO produces high-quality, accessible opera in venues throughout Ireland and overseas. Opera has the power to move and inspire and our mission is to give everyone in Ireland the opportunity to experience this. We are dedicated to showcasing internationally-acclaimed Irish opera singers alongside guest artists from all over the world.
The INO Orchestra performs in most of Irish National Opera’s productions and is made up of leading Irish freelance musicians who have a broad range of experience playing in operatic, symphonic, chamber and new music repertoire.
The orchestra’s work currently includes three or four mainscale productions each season, in addition to concert performances. Musicians who perform with the INO Orchestra are also engaged to perform in chamber ensembles for our diverse programme of touring and education projects.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Auditions are open to all suitably-qualified string, wind, brass and percussion players. Musicians who already perform regularly with the INO Orchestra do not need to audition.
Candidates will be required to perform excerpts from two contrasting core solo works for their instrument along with orchestral excerpts as specified for their instrument in the Audition Excerpts Pack.
Shortlisted candidates will audition in-person for an INO panel with no screen. Please note there will be no accompanist provided or required on the day. It is recommended that Flute, Oboe and Clarinet applicants offer excerpts, when possible, on their auxiliary instruments. Percussion auditions will be by video submission only.
Irish National Opera recruits its orchestra from Irish and Ireland-based musicians. International players without their own accommodation base in Ireland are unlikely to be offered work. Exceptionally, international players are invited if a critical vacancy occurs.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for an audition, please complete the online application form. A video recording of any 2 contrasting orchestral excerpts from the list in the AUDITION PACK must be included on the application form:
Deadline for applications:
Sunday 29 March 2026
Audition date:
Auditions will take place in Dublin on Monday 20 April 2026 (Strings) & Friday 24 April 2026 (Wind & Brass).
Successful candidates will be invited to join the pool of freelance players from which the INO Orchestra engages players as required for its projects. Note that by necessity, the number of freelance musicians on our list exceeds the number of musicians engaged each season. As a result, we cannot guarantee immediate offers of work to every successful auditionee.
Irish National Opera welcomes and encourages applications from people of all genders, backgrounds and ethnicities and is committed to equal opportunities, access and diversity in our recruitment process. If you foresee any additionalrequirements for an in-person audition, please highlight these as part of your application and we will do our best to accommodate. Such requirements will not have an impact on the success of your application.
FAQs
Applicants who were added to the INO Orchestra list of freelance musicians after their 2025 audition do not need to reaudition in 2026. However, applications from early career musicians who feel their playing has developed since their last audition will be considered, regardless of the outcome of the 2025 round of auditions.
If you have worked with the INO Orchestra before then you do not necessarily need to audition. However, if you are an early career musician who has worked with the INO Orchestra occasionally, you may wish to apply for an audition to confirm your place and position on the freelance list.
Musicians who work regularly with the INO Orchestra, and other players who are already very established and experienced orchestral musicians in Ireland do not need to audition.
Irish National Opera recruits its orchestra from Irish and Ireland-based musicians. International players without their own accommodation base in Ireland are unlikely to be offered work. Exceptionally, international players are invited if a critical vacancy occurs.