Assistant Recording Engineer

Boston Symphony Orchestra; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem expenses provided

Job summary

The Boston Symphony Orchestra seeks an experienced assistant to support recording and live sound for concerts, rehearsals, and broadcasts at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood. You will help maintain high-resolution recording systems and assist guest engineers.

A Bachelor’s degree in audio recording/editing/mixing and at least 3 years of orchestral recording experience are required; TV/radio production experience is a plus. Relocation to Lenox, MA for the summer season with per diem is provided.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of orchestral recording techniques.
• Ability to read music and follow an orchestral score.
• Bachelor’s Degree in audio recording/editing/mixing is required.

Responsibilities

• With Lead Recording Engineer, manage all BSO recordings to ensure high quality.
• Assist in maintaining the recording system with hardware and software for high-track-count projects and live concerts.
• Assist in designing and upgrading recording and live sound systems used at Boston Symphony Orchestra venues.
• Help manage and troubleshoot networked audio systems (AoIP), including switches, VLANs, and PTP synchronization.
• Record, edit, and mix concerts and outside events; provide audio feeds to press during performances.

Skills

Orchestral recording techniques

Reading music / follow score

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in audio recording/editing/mixing

Job description

Summary/Objective Job Description

About the BSO

Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the premier orchestras in the world. The BSO is committed to being a best-in-class employer that brings artistic excellence and cultural relevance through music and performances to the local and international communities.

About the Role

Assist Lead Recording Engineer in managing, planning, and implementing all recorded and electronic media activity at Symphony Hall, and Tanglewood, including concerts, rehearsals, television, and recording projects for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Chamber Players, Boston Pops Orchestra, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center , and chamber music activity. Assist in recording and livestream broadcasts for rental clients. Engineer lawn sound for all events at the Koussevitzky Music Shed at Tanglewood.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• With Lead Recording Engineer, manage all BSO, Inc. audio recordings to ensure consistency and the highest technical/aesthetic quality.
• Assist in the maintenance of the BSO’s high-resolution state of the art recording system including multiple custom computers, software and hardware for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering of high track count audio projects and live concerts.
• Assist with the research, design, and creation of upgrades to all BSO recording and live sound systems used at Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc. venues allowing the creation and secure transfer of files between multiple studios.
• Assist in managing and maintaining the recording infrastructure, including all portable recording equipment and recording studios.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of all future system upgrades to the highest resolution recording system practical.
• Make recommendations as to the purchase of equipment and software needs providing cost and benefit justifications.
• Assist in managing and troubleshooting complex networked audio systems (AoIP), including the configuration of network switches, VLANs, and synchronization protocols (PTP) to ensure stable transmission across multiple facilities.
• As directed, record and engineer BSO concerts and assist outside engineers, including recording, radio, and television engineers to facilitate live broadcasts and recordings.
• Record, edit, and mix outside concerts/shows at Symphony Hall and interface with outside clients.
• Provide high quality audio feeds to members of the press during BSO concerts or rehearsals.
• Work with Marketing and Development teams to create audio material to ensure the best possible audio representation in promotional assets.
• Engineer and provide field audio and post-production for the media department's video interviews available on the website.
• Engineer and record podcasts and other necessary voice over sessions.
• As assigned, design and implement microphone layouts, ensuring placement and positioning of microphones produces optimal sound quality for live and recorded events.
• In conjunction with the Archives Department, assist in the development and implementation of best practices to ensure long-term preservation of and access to BSO related audio and video material, including, but not limited to, the creation of metadata and documentation.
• Support the work of the Archives by creating audio files in a variety of formats as needed.
• Assist and support live sound personnel as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

• Minimum 3 years related experience in recording classical music.
• Bachelor’s Degree in audio recording/editing/mixing.
• Knowledge of orchestral recording techniques.
• Ability to read music and follow an orchestral score.
• Proven ability in managing and completing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Ability to effectively communicate with other Concert Production staff as part of a team atmosphere.
• Ability to work well with guest recording engineers, orchestra members, conductors, guest artists and their managers and music industry executives.
• Experience with television and radio production is preferred.
• This position requires accessing ladders, attic spaces, catwalks, etc. for hanging microphones.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $110,000 - 120,000 annually
• This position will require relocation to Tanglewood in Lenox, MA for the summer season.
• Per diem expenses are provided.

The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The BSO is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and encourages applications from female and minority candidates.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra given its inaugural concert on October 22, 1881, and has continued to uphold the vision of its founder, the businessman, philanthropist, Civil War veteran, and amateur musician Henry Lee Higginson, for well over a century. The Boston Symphony Orchestra has performed throughout the United States, as well as in Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, South America, and China; in addition, it reaches audiences numbering in the millions through its performances on radio, television, and recordings. It plays an active role in commissioning new works from today's most important composers; its summer season at Tanglewood is regarded as one of the world's most important music festivals; it helps develop the audience of the future through BSO Youth Concerts and through a variety of outreach programs involving the entire Boston community; and, during the Tanglewood season, it sponsors the Tanglewood Music Center, one of the world's most important training grounds for young composers, conductors, instrumentalists, and vocalists. Today the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Inc., presents more than 250 concerts annually. It is an ensemble that has richly fulfilled Henry Lee Higginson's vision of a great and permanent orchestra in Boston.