Orchestra Librarian

Salary: £35,000

The Philharmonia is looking to appoint an experienced Orchestra Librarian to join its busy Concerts team. You will be responsible for all aspects of the Orchestra’s in-house music library and will lead on the hiring of music from publishers where required. You will ensure that parts and orchestrations are correct and present at each performance. As a key member of the Philharmonia’s Concerts team, you will line-manage the Assistant Orchestra Librarian and Auditions’ Administrator and report to the Director of Concerts & Projects.

The Librarian is a member of both the Orchestra’s Concerts Department and Out of Office Team, and works closely with the Orchestra Personnel Manager, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager and Stage/Transport Managers.

Working hours are dictated by the Orchestra’s performance schedule, and include evening and weekend work, as well as additional hours in the library, as required.

The Orchestra Librarian is responsible for the provision of sheet music and scores for all rehearsals, concerts, recording sessions, and other activities carried out by the Orchestra.

Key responsibilities will include:

• To ensure that music is provided from the Orchestra’s music library, or hired from publishers, or provided by other means as appropriate, and is in the correct edition and of legible quality
• Padding and un-padding of music in-between periods of work
• To attend rehearsals, concerts, recording sessions and other events according to the requirements of the Orchestra’s performance schedule
• Liaise with the Stage/Transport Managers to ensure the orchestral music is transported to the appropriate venues, and correctly set out on platform
• To ensure that the music has the correct bowings and markings, and to liaise with conductors, soloists, and Orchestra Principals to achieve this end
• Maintain the content of the Orchestra’s music library
• To obtain price quotations for music hire costs a requested by members of the Concerts Department, and by other colleagues, for budgeting purposes

Qualifications and experience you will need to possess are:

• Prior experience in a relevant (music librarian) role
• Excellent knowledge of the classical repertoire
• Ability to discuss musical detail with conductors and other artists
• Meticulous attention to detail and excellent record keeping skills
• Good IT skills: the postholder will be required to work in Word, Excel and in our custom-built diary system and repertoire database MOBI
• Willingness to work irregular and unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends, as dictated by the Orchestra’s performance schedule
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally, as dictated by the Orchestra’s performance schedule

Closing date: Friday 3 May 2024

Interviews: w/c 6 May 2024