Orchestra Librarian

Spoleto Festival U.S.A. • Charleston, SC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Spoleto Festival USA is internationally recognized as America’s premier performing arts festival. For 17 days and nights each spring, Spoleto Festival USA fills Charleston’s historic theaters, churches, and outdoor spaces with performances in opera; theater; dance; and chamber, symphonic, choral, and jazz music. Spoleto Festival USA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The Orchestra Librarian purchases, prepares, and distributes orchestral parts for all Orchestra services at Spoleto Festival USA, working closely with the Producing Office, Orchestra Manager, and Music Director for the Orchestra. For many productions, this role’s preparation work — bowed parts, marked cuts, clean page turns — shapes how smoothly every rehearsal and performance runs.

This is a year-round, variable-hour role with hours that shift substantially across the year: light, remote support for most of the year, ramping up to full-time, on-site coverage in Charleston in the weeks surrounding the Festival. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented, self-directed orchestra library professional who is equally comfortable managing a quiet remote prep season and a high-intensity Festival period.

Requirements

• 2+ years of demonstrated experience working in a professional orchestra library; internships and seasonal work are acceptable, with a strong preference for candidates who have led on concerts.
• Knowledge of music notation and industry best practices for library procedures, including experience preparing parts and orchestral sets from scratch, such as fresh parts and/or world premieres.
• Comfort with a range of technology, especially copy machines of various models, and filesharing tools like Dropbox.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving environment.
• Discretion, integrity, and a calm demeanor under pressure, with strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines during long stretches of remote work.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; this employer participates in E-Verify.
• Must be able to pass a background check and hold a valid driver’s license; you must be 21 or older, as this role requires driving a Festival-provided vehicle.
• Requires standing for long periods, working in low-light environments, and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. during the Festival period.
• Requires evening, weekend, and holiday availability, with on-call hours during the Festival period (mid-May–mid-June).
• Remote for most of the year; on-site in Charleston, SC during the Festival period.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in music or a related field a plus
• nonprofit arts or festival experience a plus

Responsibilities

• Purchase, rent, and prepare orchestral parts for all Orchestra programs, including operas, ballets, orchestra concerts, choral-orchestral performances, and theater productions featuring orchestra fellows.
• Bow, mark cuts, prepare page turns, and mark other notations in orchestral parts, in collaboration with conductors.
• Scan and organize parts for advance distribution, and maintain a clear, user-friendly electronic file structure.
• Create and distribute score copies for conductors, assistant conductors, and composers as needed.
• Support all orchestra rehearsals during the Festival period, staff the Orchestra Library, and distribute parts on-site with the help of the Orchestra Library Apprentice.
• Assist in hiring, training, and supervising the Orchestra Library Apprentice.
• Communicate regularly with the Producing Office and Orchestra leadership throughout the year.

Benefits

• Housing and a travel stipend, provided for the period of on-site residency in Charleston, SC for those residing outside Charleston, SC.
• Complimentary access for seasonal staff plus a guest to select performances and events.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level