Civic Library Fellowship Alum Q&A: Laura Conrad

Founded in 2000, the Civic Library Fellowship offers aspiring orchestra librarians up to three years of professional development. Fellows benefit from the mentorship of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra librarians, and the role comes with the full responsibility of serving as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago’s librarian.

Among other duties, an orchestra librarian researches publishers and editions, purchases or rents scores as needed, communicates with conductors and soloists, checks parts for publishing errors, hand-marks bowings for string players, makes sure that each player’s part is organized in the same way, distributes the music, marks any changes made during rehearsals and sets the conductor’s scores onstage during concerts.

Alumni of the Civic Library Fellowship have gone on to work for prominent orchestras and performing arts organizations across the United States. Alum Laura Conrad reflects on her experience in the program in the following Q&A.

Which season(s) were you a Civic Library Fellow?

2003/04. I was a casual worker in the Civic Library during my three years as a bass player in Civic prior to that season, which piqued my curiosity about library work and inspired me to pursue the craft further.

Could you describe your career path since your Civic Library Fellowship?

While still in Chicago, I took on the role of orchestra librarian for the Santa Fe Opera. I have held this position since 2002, making my annual return to New Mexico each summer. I joined the Phoenix Symphony for a year as librarian; then, in 2005, I moved from Phoenix to Sarasota, Florida, for personal reasons. Soon after my arrival, I accepted the position of personnel manager for the Sarasota Orchestra, a post I held for 19 years. Recently, I resigned to move back to Chicago and am very excited to return to the Windy City!

How has the Civic Library Fellowship impacted your career?

I firmly believe that the experience I had at the Civic Orchestra of Chicago set me up for success. As a librarian, I am especially grateful for the mentorship aspect of the Civic Library program. The guidance of Peter Conover (retired), Carole Keller and Mark Swanson, influenced and inspired me to want to carry this type of opportunity into my own library. In 2012, the Santa Fe Opera created the Orchestra Library Apprentice position, each summer providing the chosen candidate an 8-week, immersive opportunity to build skills and gain experience.

The exposure I received in the Civic Library also helped me identify that many of the same skills and knowledge I use as a librarian cross over and allowed me to succeed as a personnel manager, including working with the orchestra players, conductors and other staff, and the ability to identify and anticipate potential issues. I am still thankful after all these years for the opportunity that was provided to me to play and work in Symphony Center as a member of Civic Orchestra.