Music Librarian, BBC Scottish Symphony

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: B

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent, Full-time

DEPARTMENT: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

LOCATION: City Halls, Glasgow

PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: £26,500 - £38,500 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application – though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

As Scotland’s national broadcasting orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has been performing for audiences across Scotland, the UK and internationally since 1935. From Oban to Aldeburgh and London to Seoul (as part of BBC Proms Korea), the 2024/25 Season has been no exception. The orchestra’s live performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland and Sounds, as well as BBC Television and iPlayer.

Opening eyes and ears with ambitious repertoire beyond any benchmark, the BBC SSO is Scotland’s leading champion of new music. Across nine decades, it has commissioned orchestral music by the most original voices of its time and hosts its annual Tectonics Festival of new and experimental music each spring alongside its Creative Partner Ilan Volkov.

With Associate Artist Lucy Drever the orchestra runs projects that inspire creativity and connection with families, schools and communities across Scotland. And through a close association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the orchestra mentors the next generation of conductors, composers and instrumentalists. The orchestra supports young musical talent in BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Classical Musician competition.

Ryan Wigglesworth began his tenure as Chief Conductor in September 2022. One of the foremost composer-conductors of his generation, he has directed a wide range of repertoire with the BBC SSO including the ballets of Stravinsky, major works of Elgar, and UK premieres by György Kurtág and Composer-in-Association Hans Abrahamsen. Regularly performing at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, the orchestra is a recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and four Gramophone Awards.

Delyana Lazarova has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC SSO from September 2025, the beginning of the orchestra’s 90th anniversary concert season.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

We have an exciting opportunity for a detail orientated person to join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBCSSO) management team as Music Librarian.

In this pivotal role, you’ll be responsible for managing the orchestra’s music library, preparing performance materials, and supporting the artistic team. You’ll ensure that scores and parts are accurately sourced, marked, and distributed, working closely with publishers, conductors, musicians, and administrative staff to deliver world-class performances.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

Acquire music resources through BBC stock, hire, or purchase, ensuring efficiency, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.

Print and assemble necessary music documents such as scores, parts, extracts, and booklets for production use.

Adhere strictly to copyright regulations in all music library services and material usage.

Work closely with BBC performing groups and production teams to meet their music material needs.

Maintain effective communication with publishers, arrangers, composers, and external performance groups.

Accurately update and manage entries in music catalogues and databases according to set standards.

Process payments for music hire and purchases, manage overdue/replacement costs, and charge services appropriately to production.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

A degree in music or equivalent qualification/extensive experience in music librarianship or formal library training

Deep understanding of orchestral repertoire and performance practices

Exceptional organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail

A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills

Passion for orchestral music and commitment to supporting live performance

If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we’d love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

CP25