About the Organization:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ("The Kennedy Center") is a world premier performing arts organization and our nation's cultural center. Diversity is a critical component of our mission, vision, and values. Our staff exhibits a wide variety of perspectives and experiences which enable us to foster and strengthen an environment of diversity and inclusion.

Mission Statement: As the nation's performing arts center, and a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, we are a leader for the arts across America and around the world, reaching and connecting with artists, inspiring and educating communities. We welcome all to create, experience, learn about, and engage with the arts.

The Kennedy Center, which opened on September 8, 1971, is located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The Center continues its efforts to fulfill President Kennedy's vision by producing and presenting an unmatched variety of theater and musicals, dance and ballet, orchestral, chamber, jazz, popular, world, and folk music, and multimedia performances for all ages.

Job Description:

The National Symphony Assistant Librarian supports performance activities of the NSO by preparing music for orchestra players and conductors to use on stage.

Duties and Responsibilities:

75% Music Preparation:

• Maintenance of library music collection:
  1. Carry out essential work on new sets of parts (inventory, possession stamp, numbering of parts, addition to database, creation of storage folder and addition to inventory and performance history tracking sheets, addition to OPAS database and rolodex)
• Preparation of music for performance:
  1. Mark orchestra parts with bowings and edits (articulations, dynamics, etc.)
  2. Implement roadmaps (repeats, cuts)
  3. Fix page turns to facilitate performance
  4. Repair bindings and corners
  5. Proofread and correct music using available errata and full scores, as needed
  6. Build and break down folders of music for performance
  7. Pull and file sets of parts and full scores, as needed for NSO performances and research
  8. Return orchestra parts following performance to rental agents or owners

20% Rehearsal/Concert/Conductor/Musician/Staff support:

• Participate in library concert duty and rehearsal rotation
• Answer questions posed in-person, in phone calls, and via email from conductors, musicians, and staff about NSO performances, past performances, and general music questions
• Fill practice part, page turn, and other orchestra part related requests
• Prepare sets of scores for cover conductors, score readers, and guest conductors
• Respond to requests from the KC Friends and members of the general public about historical NSO performances and general repertoire

5% Chamber Music management:

• Track use of collection (loans and returns)
• Maintain physical collection (storage folders, practice/master copies)
• Sort, file and create database/rolodex records for all new titles, donations and acquisitions

N/A Responds to the needs and requests of Kennedy Center management and staff in a professional and expedient manner; Adheres to all employer policies and procedures; Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications:

• Bachelor or Master's degree in Performance, Musicology, Music Education or other related field
• 2-3 years' work experience in an orchestra library
• Knowledge of bowings, string and orchestra part markings
• Knowledge of orchestra instruments (names in multiple languages, ranges, transpositions)
• Basic understanding of:
  1. Copyright law as pertains to music performance
  2. Techniques for part and score binding, maintenance, and repair
  3. Repertoire, editions, and publishers
  4. Microsoft Office, Excel, OPAS

Physical Demands:

Librarians work in an office environment at a desk and computer, must be able to write for extended periods of time and often carry stacks of music and conductor scores. We infrequently carry boxes of music weighing up to 35-40 pounds. Rehearsal and concert duty are required and over the course of the calendar year take place both indoors and outdoors (in non-climate controlled circumstances).

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is moderate.