Be part of greatness: The Grammy-winning WDR Big Band is seeking a new
Jazz Trumpeter (2nd trumpet, split lead)
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Job-ID: V000011092
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Einsatzort: Köln
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Startdatum: 01.10.2026
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Berufsfeld: Orchester und Chor
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Art der Anstellung: Vollzeit
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Veröffentlicht: 26.05.2026
Your responsibilities
- You will perform as a jazz trumpeter in a Grammy Award-winning big band
- You will record, produce and present concerts daily at the WDR studio, throughout the Cologne area and on international stages with leading world-class composers, arrangers and bandleaders, alongside instrumental and vocal guest artists from the international jazz scene
- As 2nd trumpet (split lead), you will share responsibility for phrasing, tone and ensemble playing within the trumpet section and take on lead duties as required
- As a trumpet and flugelhorn player, you will perform solo parts and help shape the band’s sound through your unique tone and musical expression
- You will share your knowledge with young musicians through music education programs
Your qualifications
- You are an outstanding trumpet player with first-class professional abilities, including confident lead playing and extensive experience in big band performance, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the big band tradition across all styles
- As a highly proficient sight-reader, you can master new scores quickly and confidently
- You possess a strong understanding of and passion for the jazz tradition
- You demontrate versatility, musical flexibility and the ability to perform with confidence and poise, even in challenging situations
- You are able to integrate seamlessly into an existing artistic and social structure, see yourself as an integral part of a functioning musical collective and are willing to share your knowledge with others
Also Important
This position iscompensated according to pay grade D WFO/BigBand under the terms of the WDR collective bargaining agreement for orchestras and choirs. The current base salary amounts to €7.978,30 gross per month plus any applicable bonuses.
Your application
For your application, please submit by 30 June 2026:
- 2-3 references
- a list of relevant performances and recordings
- 15-20 minutes of audio and video recordings of your choice showcasing your best playing
If the files are too large to attach, please provide a link to access or download them. Submit short, representative excerpts, including examples of your lead playing (without other musicians), such as a big band tutti. Full concerts or lengthy tracks are not required.
Please ensure that all recordings have sufficient audio quality and that all links function properly.
Selected applicants will be contacted with further information and invited to come to Cologne to perform with the band.
Wir bieten
- Faire Bezahlung nach Tarifvertrag
- Betriebliche Altersversorgung
- Sport und Freizeitangebote
- Betriebsarzt
- Events für Mitarbeitende
- Familienfreundliches Unternehmen
About us
The Westdeutsche Rundfunk (WDR) is the public broadcasting corporation in North Rhine-Westphalia and one of the largest media companies in Germany and Europe. As a member of the ARD, we are proud to contribute significantly to the diversity of opinions and media in Germany with our diverse and high-quality programme. Diversity is our strength - in our products and in our workforce. We employ people throughout all societal groups. We are looking forward to your application, regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression or characteristics, cultural or social background, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
