The Principal Music Librarian leads the Houston Grand Opera music library, overseeing music research, acquisition, preparation, and library operations to support programming at the highest artistic level. Working closely with the Music Director, Chief Artistic Officer, Chorus Director, guest conductors, and music staff, this role is integral to the successful execution of HGO’s season.
Join Us!
We are looking for talented, passionate, and dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission. If you are excited about this position but your experience does not 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, three 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 believe every team member enriches our organization 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:
Comprehensive and affordable health benefits.
Generous paid time off.
403b retirement plan with employer match.
Flexible work schedule.
Professional development fund and opportunities.
Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots, plus easy access to Metro transportation.
Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events.
Key Responsibilities
Music Research and Acquisition
Researches editions of repertoire for current and future seasons, advising HGO Artistic staff on available versions.
Negotiates performance, mechanical, and sync licenses with publishers in collaboration with Director of Artistic Operations for current and future seasons.
Secures rental and purchased materials according to production timelines.
Collaborates with the Music Administrator to confirm and distribute instrumentation details for all upcoming orchestral productions and events for budgetary and contracting purposes.
Cultivates and maintains strong relationships with music publishers and industry partners on behalf of Houston Grand Opera.
Music Preparation
Ensures all musical materials for productions, concerts, and events are prepared accurately, delivered on time, and compliant with Collective Bargaining Agreements.
Manages all aspects of orchestral music preparation including proofreading, editing, bowing, and part marking according to specifications from HGO artistic leadership and guest conductors.
Produces edited piano/vocal and chorus scores in alignment with HGO artistic leadership and guest conductors.
Creates and distributes cut lists and production memos pre-production and during the rehearsal process.
Library Operation & Leadership
Supervises the staff Music Librarian and additional over hire help, providing direction, training, and oversight.
Attends all orchestra readings and sitzprobes and serves on pit duty for stage rehearsals with orchestra and performances on a rotating basis with staff Music Librarian.
Maintains accurate and up-to-date instrumentation for current and future season projects in the company’s ArtsVision database.
Maintains the Houston Grand Opera physical and digital collection of full scores, piano vocal scores, choral scores, orchestral parts, and CD recordings in an organized manner, including tracking borrowed materials.
Administers the company’s quarterly ASCAP reporting process.
Oversees organization and maintenance of the Houston Grand Opera music library supplies and equipment in accordance with budgetary parameters.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum of five years of professional experience as a music librarian at a major classical music organization.
Expert-level musicianship including fluency in a variety of clefs, transposition, and instrument nomenclature in various languages.
In-depth knowledge of operatic repertoire and industry practices.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and at least one music notation platform.
Experience working with AFM Union orchestras.
Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with a high degree of diplomacy and discretion.
Demonstrated experience managing staff.
Special Job Characteristics
Requires a collaborative professional who can maintain composure and a positive attitude while delivering highly accurate work in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in working and collaborating with a variety of personalities. Will have to maintain a demanding and flexible work schedule during production periods. Weeknights and weekend hours required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of sitting and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 20 pounds), reaching for items, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending performances, events, and meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
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.
Deadline: 05/27/26
Location: Houston, TX
Website: https://www.houstongrandopera.org/about/employment-and-auditions