Music Ensemble Librarian

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

About The Position

The Mead Witter School of Music seeks a Music Ensemble Librarian to manage the four libraries serving its large performing ensembles: Orchestral, Choral, Wind, and Jazz. The position manages music acquisitions, rentals, licensing, library operations, student supervision, and organizational systems that support ensemble performances. The librarian oversees music purchasing and rentals, licensing and copyright compliance, rental tracking and timely returns, and the transfer of musical markings and bowings to all parts before distribution. The position maintains ensemble library databases, including the audition excerpt database, and ensures purchased music is added to cloud-based storage for future reference. The librarian also creates and maintains systems and records for work operations, and production and program information for concert production teams and conductors. The role supervises student music librarians who prepare, organize, distribute, and collect performance materials, and assists with student staff hiring and training. Additional duties include preparing reports for music listening agencies, supporting music-related inquiries, maintaining departmental budgets, ordering inventory, acquiring music and recordings, supporting daily broadcasts, and maintaining the music database and playlists in collaboration with music hosts. This is a 12-month, part-time position at 58% FTE, approximately 23.20 hours per week. The expected starting salary is $51,000 for 12 months, with potential for highly qualified candidates to earn more; actual pay is prorated to reflect the part-time schedule. Benefits include vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurance and savings accounts; and retirement benefits.

Requirements

Comprehensive knowledge of performance practices, musical terminology, foreign languages, music theory, orchestration, transposition, and repertoire.
Familiarity with music publishing, licensing, and copyright laws.
Music library research skills and understanding of standard reference resources.
Extraordinary attention to detail and strong organizational skills, including the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and consistently meet deadlines.
Ability to build strong relationships and work successfully with faculty, staff, and students in a highly demanding and fast-paced environment.
Good customer service skills and verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with a professional orchestra.
Previous experience supervising students in an academic environment.
Bachelor degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage music purchasing, rentals, and licensing for large ensembles.
Oversee the Orchestral, Choral, Wind, and Jazz Ensemble libraries.
Acquire music through purchase or rental and ensure licensing, rental, and copyright compliance.
Track rental pieces and return them promptly after performances.
Ensure musical markings and bowings are transferred to every part before distribution.
Maintain large ensemble library databases, including the audition excerpt database.
Enter purchased music into cloud-based storage for future use and reference.
Develop, implement, and maintain systems for electronic and physical records in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Create and maintain production and program information infrastructure for production teams and conductors.
Assist with hiring, training, and activities of student staff supporting office functions.
Manage student music librarians who secure, prepare, organize, distribute, and collect performance materials for large ensembles.
Prepare required reports for music listening agencies.
Serve as a staff and listener resource for music-related questions.
Maintain departmental budgets and assist with ordering inventory.
Work with publishers, composers, and other libraries to acquire music for ensemble performances.
Oversee music department needs for daily broadcasts.
Acquire commercial music recordings for broadcast.
Maintain the music database, including overseeing music playlists in collaboration with music hosts.