Position available at the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
PRINCIPAL CLARINET

Basic salary 3.225,29 € / month. The salary is increased by the experience allowance according to KVTES (The Municipal Collective Agreement) and the attire and musical instrument allowances. In addition, media compensation is paid. The position includes E-flat clarinet duties.

The position will be filled starting from October 1, 2026 or according to a separate agreement. Trial period 6 months.

Applications: Closing date for applications is on Friday August 15 May 2, 2026 at 12 noon (Finnish time). Applications received after this date will not be accepted. Application only at https://www.kuntarekry.fi/fi/tyopaikat/?&display=grid&limit=24&organisation=12&sort=-publish_from. The application form should be completed with a compact and up to date CV specifying, for example, the applicant’s musical education and work history in symphony orchestras. The post requires excellent skills as a musician, good social and communication skills as well as fluent skills in English.

Audition: Monday September 21, 2026 starting at 12 noon at the Kuopio Music Centre Concert Hall (address: Kuopionlahdenkatu 23, Kuopio, Finland). In case the number of applicants chosen for the audition requirs, there is an option for a second audition day on Tuesday September 22, 2026. The persons chosen for the audition based on the applications will be informed by Friday August 21, 2026. The audition may also include a short interview.

Audition assignments:
1. W.A. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto 1st movement until bar 154
2. Claude Debussy: Première rhapsodie until Rehearsal 6
3. Orchestral Music and possible Chamber Music excerpts can be downloaded from the KSO website in August

The orchestra will provide an accompanist for the audition, however, use of own accompanist at the applicant’s own expense is also possible.

Kuopio Music Centre and Kuopio Symphony Orchestra / Production Manager Markku Ruotsalainen, +358 44 718 2362 markku.ruotsalainen@kuopio.fi

Until 30.6.2026 Kuopio Symphony Orchestra / Orchestra Coordinator Henna Korkalainen +358 44 7182 363, henna.korkalainen@kuopio.fi

The city of Kuopio, The Kuopio Symphony Orchestra

The Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, the largest symphony orchestra in Eastern Finland, upholds more than 110 years of orchestral tradition in Kuopio while serving the wider region. Its home venue is the Concert Hall of the Kuopio Music Centre—renowned for its superb acoustics—where the majority of the orchestra’s performances are held. The ensemble comprises 44 musicians representing more than 15 nationalities.

Risto Joost will assume the role of Chief Conductor in autumn 2027. Until summer 2027, Kolja Blacher and Eugene Tzigane will serve as First Conductors, and Atso Almila will continue as Second Conductor.

In addition to the classical orchestral repertoire, the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra moves fluidly across genres, collaborating with artists from entertainment, pop, and rock music. Joint performances with other professional orchestras and choirs form an essential part of its artistic activity. For decades, the orchestra played a central role in the productions of the Kuopio Opera, has engaged in long term collaboration with the Savonlinna Opera Festival and other festivals, and has produced opera in cooperation with partners such as Moscow’s Novaya Opera. Its newest partner is Savo Opera: the orchestra took part in the world premiere of Minnan taivas in 2022, and in spring 2028 will perform in La bohème, directed by Antti Holma.

Audience and arts education is a vital part of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra’s mission. The orchestra’s second godchild project—created for children born in Kuopio during Finland’s centenary year in 2017—concluded in January 2024. The orchestra also participates actively in audience and arts education initiatives (including the City of Kuopio’s Cultural Path and the national Taidetestaajat programme) and organises its own concerts for children.

The Kuopio Symphony Orchestra has performed internationally in countries including Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Japan, and China. It has recorded for Finlandia Records, the Japanese label Octavia Records, and Alba Records. Its most recent recording, made with Mikko Alatalo, was released in early 2026.

• Remote work: No remote work option
• Working time format: Full-time
• Trial period: 6 months