Job Title: Music Librarian
To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to the Executive Director at director@ysomusic.org.
Reports To: Operations Manager
Supervises: None
Position: Part-time, Hourly, Nonexempt, at-will
Compensation: $20–$24 per hour depending on relevant experience
Supervises: none
Reviews: Annual reviews in July
Benefits: Paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays as described in the current YSO employee manual
Training: Up to one month of on-site training with outgoing Music Librarian from December 1–December 30, 2025
Available Start Date: Monday, December 1, 2025, position stays open until it is filled
Job Summary: The Music Librarian is responsible to secure, organize, and distribute all music needed for performances and auditions for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Yakima Symphony Chorus, and Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra, and to maintain the orchestra’s library of scores and performance materials.
Required Education/Skills/Experience
The Music Librarian position requires a combination of education, skills, and experience to implement the job duties and responsibilities described below.
- Knowledge of and facility with music notation and understanding of common musical terms in multiple languages.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Timely and responsive use of excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Flexibility to work around the changing schedules of musician and staff colleagues as well as publishers and guest artists who may provide performance materials; ability to work evenings and weekends whenever the orchestra is rehearsing and/or performing.
- Sufficient knowledge of string instrument technique to make informed decisions about bowing as necessary, and to copy performance markings accurately and appropriately into all parts. Professional orchestral string instrument experience is an advantage.
- Reliable transportation is essential, and residence within a one-hour radius of Yakima WA is strongly preferred in order to process music in a timely fashion and interact with other production and office staff. If conducting duties “from home,” must have a reliable computer and internet connection.
- Competence in using Google Workspace products; experience with music notation software (Sibelius, Musescore etc.).
- Willingness and ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Music Procurement
- Arrange for the purchase or rental of materials to meet program needs for the orchestra.
- Take delivery of and track incoming music; pack and ship outgoing music; maintain shipping records.
- Check all incoming and outgoing performance materials for condition and completeness.
- Ensure prompt return of rented or borrowed materials and adherence to copyright laws.
Music Preparation
- Carry out all aspects of music preparation, including but not limited to editing, proofreading, distribution, and marking bowings in string parts.
- Work with conductors to prepare music and disseminate rehearsal/practice information according to their specific requirements.
- Review all music to determine if orchestra parts meet acceptable standards: legible parts, adequate rehearsal letters, numbers and measure numbers. Take the necessary steps to correct problems that potentially could disrupt rehearsals.
- Ensure that there are enough parts; provide parts to the concertmaster and other designated string principals for bowing in accordance with the process outlined in the Players' Handbook, and to all players for pre-rehearsal practice.
- Assemble and arrange music in orchestra folders.
Concert/Rehearsal Duties
- For all rehearsals and concerts, arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the scheduled service to address any music-related emergencies. Ensure that all musicians have music and, if not, provide alternatives. Collect and store all music at conclusion of service as necessary.
- Have at least one extra part for each instrument for each piece available at rehearsals in case a musician forgets their music
- Distribute and collect music at concerts and rehearsals; assist Music Director and musicians with needs relative to printed music.
- Follow up at every rehearsal with the conductor and string principals for possible bowing changes, mistakes to be corrected in the parts, bad page turns, etc.
- Maintain and repair as needed the orchestra’s collection of scores, parts and folders.
- Catalogue and file music purchased for the orchestra library; maintain accurate inventory.
- Track all items borrowed from the library, i.e. individual parts, scores, reference materials; ensure their timely return.
Administrative
- Provide instrumentation requirements and other information to staff on request; ensure that materials received match instrumentation information provided for production and personnel purposes.
- Prepare annual library budget
- Maintain records of all music purchase and rental orders and forward relevant payment and other contractual information to Operations Manager.
- Support reporting to appropriate performance licensing organizations (ASCAP, BMI) of music performed on all concert series as required.
- Attend weekly staff meetings at the YSO office (or virtually when necessary).
Other
- Prepare music for auditions.
- Support the library needs of the Yakima Symphony Chorus, and Yakima Youth Symphony Orchestra as assigned by the Operations Manager
- Report lost or damaged music to Operations Manager.
- Obtain perusal scores and/or prepare scores for performance as requested by Music Director.
- Maintain a current file of publisher accounts and catalogue resources; research availability and cost of music to be ordered.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Operations Manager or Executive Director
