Staff Arranger

About the job

Materials due NLT January 29, 2010

We have an opening for a staff arranger to join the music production team. Qualified candidates will be identified through a multi-round process culminating with interviews for selected finalists during the week beginning May 3, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Our staff arrangers provide original arrangements as needed for our Band, Orchestra and various chamber ensembles formed from within the larger ensembles. These smaller ensembles include, but are not limited to brass quintet, woodwind quintet, string quartet and jazz band. Specific musical arrangements are required for many of our performances at official ceremonies and special events throughout the Washington, D.C. area including many of the band's commitments at the White House. Additionally, original arrangements are frequently performed during concerts in the Washington, D.C. area and throughout the country during the band’s annual national concert tours.

Qualified candidates should have significant experience writing in a variety of musical styles for both concert band and orchestra. These styles include, but are not limited to martial, classical, jazz, pop/commercial and Broadway music. Thorough knowledge of the band, orchestra and jazz standard repertoire and mastery of characteristic forms, harmonization and orchestration of the above styles is essential. Qualified candidates must also be able to demonstrate the ability to produce professional quality work within specific stylistic and orchestration guidelines and occasionally under tight deadlines. Professional experience with music-writing software such as “Finale” or “Sibelius” is strongly preferred.

Application Procedure

Resume/Score Sample Round

Candidates should submit the following materials to the Operations Officer at the address listed below.

1.) Completed Applicant Fact Sheet

2.) A current resume/Curriculum Vitae

3.) Three to five complete scores of original arrangements of existing music and/or transcriptions of orchestral works that demonstrate the range of your abilities. The samples should cover a variety of styles and genres and at least one score should be written for concert band and one for either symphony or chamber orchestra. These may include works arranged for solo instrument or voice with large ensemble accompaniment. Recordings of the sample works are appreciated but not required.

All materials must be sent via FedEx or UPS (not via the U.S. Postal Service) and must be received no later than January 29, 2010. Materials received after this date may not be considered.

Semifinal and final round

Based on the resume/score sample round, semifinalists will be identified and contacted by February 19, 2010. (Those not selected to advance to the semifinal round also will be notified.) Each semifinalist will be granted approximately four weeks to complete three brief arranging assignments to be determined that will be electronically submitted to the Marine Band for review.

Finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. at the candidate’s expense to participate in an interview, screening and reading of their work. These interviews will take place the week beginning May 3, 2010. Additionally, each finalist will be required to complete a final arrangement before their arrival in Washington. This assignment will be given approximately 72 hours prior to their scheduled interview day.

Please be sure to include your instrument(s) and mailing address in all correspondence. All auditions are held in Washington, D.C.

Please note: Due to circumstances at U.S. Postal offices in the Washington, D.C., area, application packets sent via U.S. mail may not reach the band in a timely manner. At this time, recommended alternatives for submission via U.S. mail are e-mail or fax.