Orchestra Librarian

OPERA America, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 14,000 - 17,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend & Travel support

Complimentary event access for staff

Job summary

Spoleto Festival USA is seeking an Orchestra Librarian to purchase, prepare, and distribute orchestral parts for all programs, working with conductors and staff. The position blends remote prep work with on-site duties during the Festival period in Charleston, SC.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in a professional orchestra library, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in a professional orchestra library or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of music notation and library procedures for parts and sets.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Purchase, rent, and prepare orchestral parts for all programs.
• Bow, mark cuts, prepare page turns with conductors.
• Scan and organize parts for advance distribution; maintain file structure.
• Create and distribute score copies for conductors and composers.
• Staff the library during rehearsals and assist in hiring/training the Apprentice.
• Communicate with Producing Office and Orchestra leadership year-round.

Skills

Orchestra library

Attention to detail

Communication

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in music

Nonprofit arts experience

Tools

Dropbox

Copy machines

Job description

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 Role

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.

Position Type: Year-round, variable-hour, exempt, not benefit-eligible

Location: Remote (Off-Season and Prep Period); on-site in Charleston, SC (Festival Period)

Department: Producing

Reports to: Producer

What You’ll Do

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.

What You’ll Bring

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.

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

Good to Know

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.

This position carries a total annual salary equivalent of $15,000, paid bi-weekly and structured across three bands to reflect the season:

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.

This role is not benefit-eligible.

Spoleto Festival USA is an equal opportunity employer and committed to diversity in hiring. Spoleto Festival USA does not discriminate in employment on the basis of an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, hairstyles or hair texture, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, parental status, marital status, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. Our greatest strength comes from our ability to come together as unique individuals — come as you are and bring the best version of yourself.

Desired Start Date: November 2, 2026

BENEFITS

Pay Range: $15,000 - $15,000 Annual

This position carries a total annual salary equivalent of $15,000, paid bi-weekly and structured across three bands to reflect the season:

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.