Head Orchestra Librarian

JOB SUMMARY:

The Orchestra Librarian is responsible for providing and organizing all the music needed for performances and for maintaining the Orchestra’s library. The Orchestra Librarian is also responsible for providing program listings, instrumentation requirements, and other information to the Production staff on request. The Alabama Symphony is in the beginning stages of a search for its next Music Director, after 11 successful seasons with its last, so the successful Library candidate will play an important role in supporting guest conductors, Music Director candidates, and assisting with preparations for the Music Director search and eventual transition.

The mission of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is to change lives through music. As one of the State’s largest performing arts organizations and only full-time professional orchestra, our programs inspire and entertain over 100,000 individuals a year throughout Alabama through concerts, youth programs, and education and community engagement efforts. The ASO works to produce creative, dynamic programming and to be known as an artistically innovative leader for other orchestras.

• Music Procurement and Preparation:
  • Arrange for the purchase or rental of materials to meet the program needs for the orchestra.
  • Take delivery of and track incoming music, pack and ship outgoing music, and maintain shipping records.
  • Check all incoming and outgoing performance materials for condition and completeness. Make necessary music reparations of older music editions.
  • Ensure prompt return of rented materials or borrowed operatic or ballet materials.
  • Ensure adherence to copyright laws.
  • Assist in all aspects of music preparation, including but not limited to editing, proofreading, distribution, and marking of all orchestra parts, including bowings.
  • Work with conductors to prepare music according to their specific requirements.
  • With cooperation of the Director of Orchestra Personnel and Audition Committee/s, prepare music for all auditions.
  • Review all music to determine if orchestra parts meet acceptable standards – legible parts, adequate rehearsal letters, numbers, and measure numbers. Take the necessary steps to correct problems that potentially could disrupt rehearsals.
  • Ensure that there are enough parts; provide parts organized per concert and in accordance with the timeline established by the Director of Artistic Administration.
  • Adhere to a prescribed timeline for the bowing of string parts.
  • Ensure that bowings, rehearsal letters/numbers, and measure numbers are compatible between the conductor’s score and the players’ parts.
  • Assemble and arrange music in orchestra folders and make folders available to musicians in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Article 8.03
    
    B. 4 in the referenced Master Agreement.
  • Prepare and distribute “practice parts.”
  • Provide Instrumentation Sheets, complete with timings and intermissions, in all program folders (AKA run sheets) and also make them available for posterity in the Production file server.
• Concert/Rehearsal Duties:
  • Arrive one-hour early to accommodate any changes in bowings, stage set-up, etc. Ensure that all musicians have music and, if not, provide an alternative whenever possible.
  • At performances, set conductor’s scores and batons.
  • Collect and store all music at conclusion of final service.
  • Distribute and collect music at concerts and rehearsals.
  • Assist conductors and musicians and the Director of Artistic Administration with needs related to printed music.
  • Be available to accommodate possible bowing changes, mistakes (to be corrected in the parts), inconvenient page turns, etc.
• Orchestra Library Maintenance:
  • Maintain the orchestra’s priceless collection of scores and parts; repair and maintain music and folders
  • Catalogue and file music, maintaining accurate inventory
  • Ensure adequate security of the collection.
  • Track all items borrowed from the library, i.e., individual parts, scores, reference materials, and ensure their timely return as outlined in Articles 12.03 and 12.04 of the ASO Master Agreement.
  • Keep all library equipment in good working order, arranging for maintenance…