Orchestra Library Assistant

Grant Park Music Festival; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits at a renowned summer music festival in Chicago! As an Orchestra Library Assistant, you'll play a vital role in supporting the award-winning orchestra by preparing and distributing music parts. This full-time position offers valuable training in music library operations and a chance to work alongside a dedicated team. If you're passionate about music and eager to contribute to a vibrant cultural experience, this role is perfect for you. Join us in enriching lives through the power of music and be part of a transformative summer event that brings the community together in a stunning outdoor setting.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in an orchestra library required.
• Strong knowledge of musical terms and orchestral literature essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily preparation of music for concerts and rehearsals.
• Manage cataloging and filing of music and parts efficiently.

Skills

Orchestral literature knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Computer skills

Ability to lift 40 lbs

Job description

The Grant Park Music Festival (the Festival) in Chicago, Illinois seeks a full-time Orchestra Library Assistant for the 2025 summer season. The Festival’s Orchestra Library Assistant plays a crucial role in the preparation and distribution of parts for the award-winning Grant Park Orchestra.

The Orchestra Library Assistant will join our hard-working, collaborative team of 25 year-round and seasonal staff members. The Festival team is dedicated to bringing Chicagoans together to experience symphonic music in one of the world’s most magnificent outdoor urban settings, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. The Festival team is deeply committed to serving the people of Chicago through our mission of enriching lives through the power of music.

The Orchestra Library Assistant role provides excellent training in music library operations and exposure to other performing arts administration careers; previous seasonal staff members at the Festival have gone on to work for some of the nation’s finest orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and more.

KEY DUTIES

• Assist with the daily preparation of music for Grant Park Music Festival concerts and rehearsals.
• Assist with the bowing and editing of orchestral parts.
• Assist with the assembly, distribution and collection of all rehearsal and performance parts and folders.
• Assist with the cataloging and filing of music and parts.
• Assist with the maintenance and updating of the music library database.
• Assist with the collection, removal of all markings, repair, bundling, and shipping of all rental parts.

MINIMUM CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

• At least two years of professional experience in an orchestra library.
• Ability to work professionally and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Thorough knowledge of orchestral literature, foreign terms, musical terms/signs (including bow markings) and contemporary notation.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills; excellent computer skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 lbs.
• Don’t fit all of the qualifications listed above, but feel passionate about the position? Please apply anyway! We are eager to work with enthusiastic and ambitious people. You may be just the right fit for this role.

COMPENSATION/SCHEDULE

• $22.00/hour; this position is full-time (approximately 35 hours per week) during the 10 week Festival season and non-exempt.
• During the Festival season (June 11 - August 16, 2025), nights and weekends (generally Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) are required.
• Position Start Date: May 2025 (to be determined by mutual agreement).

THE ORGANIZATION

For more than 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has been Chicago's summer musical sensation, demonstrating that classical music performed by a world-class orchestra and chorus can have a transformative impact on the city. Showcased in the city's most spectacular setting, the Festival continues to be the summer gathering place for all of Chicago. The Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park is the official home of the Grant Park Music Festival, with free seats available for every concert.

The Festival strives to create a workplace that reflects the diversity of our city and the audiences we serve. People of all backgrounds and experiences, and especially those that have been historically underrepresented in the field, are encouraged to apply for open positions at the Festival. Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging HERE.

The Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to actual or perceived race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, pregnancy (including childbirth, or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), genetic information, marital status, familial/parental status, disability (physical and mental), military status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, citizenship or immigration status, unfavorable discharge from military service, order of protection status, credit history, arrest record, conviction record, family responsibilities, and any other classification/characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

The Festival is led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, Grant Park Chorus Director Christopher Bell, Grant Park Orchestral Association President and CEO Paul Winberg, and Board Chair Adam Grais.

For more information on the Grant Park Music Festival, please visit our website: gpmf.org.