Music Librarian

Job Highlights

The Music Librarian oversees the Houston Grand Opera music library, including all physical and digital materials. They research, procure, prepare, and distribute all music materials for HGO productions and events.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our

community and our mission.

Concerned you do not meet every single requirement listed? Apply! We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job if they don't think they meet 100% of the requirements. At HGO, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. So, if you're excited about this position but your experience doesn't align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice.  HGO has received a Tony Award, two Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand.

We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for all company members. We believe every team member enriches our diversity by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

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  Comprehensive and affordable health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; a high-deductible healthcare plan with an employer-funded health savings account; a flexible savings account; an employee assistance program; and employer-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance

  
  


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  Generous paid time off including vacation, wellness, parental leave, and scheduled and flexible holidays

  
  


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  403b retirement plan with employer match

  
  


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  Flexible work schedule

  
  


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  Professional development fund and opportunities

  
  


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  Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots plus easy access to Metro transportation

  
  


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  Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events

  
  

Key Responsibilities

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  Sources, prepares, and distributes all musical materials needed by Houston Grand Opera for all productions, recitals, and events in a timely manner and in full compliance with HGO’s Collective Bargaining Agreements

  
  


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  In consultation with the Director of Artistic Planning, Artistic and Music Director, Chorus Directors, and conductors, produces edited vocal and orchestral materials for each production

  
  


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  Manages the workload and assignments of the Assistant Music Librarian, in consultation with the Director of Artistic Partnerships & Music Planning

  
  


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  Working with the Music Administrator & Orchestra Personnel Manager, confirms and distributes instrumentation details for all orchestral productions and events

  
  


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  Attends and supports all orchestral services, and serves on pit duty for stage rehearsals and performances

  
  


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  Acts as liaison between Conductor and Stage Manager during on-stage orchestra rehearsals

  
  


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  Creates and distributes music summary and production memos pre-production, and distributes subsequent production memos as necessary during each production period

  
  


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  Researches editions and communicates with publishers regarding rights and materials for current and future seasons in consultation with the Director of Artistic Partnerships & Music Planning

  
  


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  Creates and distributes pit plots in collaboration with Artistic and Production colleagues, and orchestra rosters in collaboration with Music Administrator & Orchestra Personnel Manager and string principals for seating, for all orchestral projects

  
  


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  Keeps accurate instrumentation for current and future season projects up to date in ArtsVision

  
  


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  Organizes and maintains the Houston Grand Opera music library, purchases new materials, and keeps accurate library holding records.

  
  

Qualifications

Candidate should possess a Master of Music degree or equivalent professional experience, and three plus years of orchestral or opera library experience; advanced skills with professional music notation software; and familiarity with the standard musical databases and bibliographic resources. Additionally, excellent research skills, copying techniques, attention to detail, and organizational skills are required. Candidate should demonstrate a positive and professional demeanor, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

Other Skills and Abilities

Requires a problem solver, who is independently motivated and excellent with time management and deadlines. Candidate must be able to work evenings and weekends. Requires the ability to roll large music cabinets and carry heavy score materials.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to sit, talk, hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift/or move up to 30 pounds.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.