Musicologist

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than one million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. that operates on a not-for-profit basis. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 20 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees; identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances every year; and returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on X and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

Job Description:

ASCAP’s Musicologist coordinates the activities of the ASCAP’s Special Classification Committee and oversees member claims regarding both the proportion of credit assigned to arrangements of public domain music and questions as to whether certain light genre works should be considered serious. In addition, the Musicologist is the primary liaison with orchestras, requesting concert programs needed for crediting, and administers usage error reports on behalf of the department.

The Musicologist is also responsible for requesting, administering and uploading publisher rental reports, as well reports from the Association of Concert Bands, researching works going into the public domain, and tracking CPCD progress vs. production goals.

Areas of Responsibility & Accountability:

• Prepare comparative musical analyses for the Special Classification Committee and for the legal department, when required
• Schedule Special Classification Committee meetings and set the agenda (works to be addressed) for each meeting
• Identify and correct usage errors in PREP for works processed by CPCD and other departments, when appropriate
• Maintain and update the CPCD informational works database and ensure that the component work records mapped to informational works are all in PREP usage prior to usage selection
• Advise ASCAP members as to the SCC, work registration and routine copyright issues
• Liaise with foreign societies to request CIS-Net submissions, as well as domestic writers and publishers regarding work registrations
• Correspond with ASCAP’s symphonic licensees to ensure compliance and timely submission of programs
• Track and monitor CPCDs processing of performance notifications to ensure timeliness and accuracy
• Track and monitor CPCDs inquiry management effectiveness. Address more complex inquiries as required
• Administer and process publisher rental and ACB reports
• Research and compile the annual list of works going into the public domain. Work with the AVP & Director of RIOT and GTS to ensure that all such work records are updated with the status of public domain
• Track and report on CPCD progress vs. goals

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Graduate degree in music theory or composition
• Highly refined musical analysis skills
• Broad and deep knowledge of ASCAP crediting practices
• Superior MS Excel and MS Access skills
• Ability to apply ASCAP crediting rules in complex scenarios
• Advanced research and analytical skills
• Comprehensive knowledge of musical repertory
• Superior verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Minimum of one plus years of experience preferred

Occasional travel for in-person meetings may be required.

Please be aware that ASCAP is not a nut-free or other allergen-free workplace.

Compensation/Benefits:

Besides providing a unique and dynamic work environment, there are a few other reasons you should consider ASCAP in your career planning. We also offer generous benefit options that are comprehensive and provide the flexibility that most employees want and need. These health care and financial plan options include the following:

• A choice of either network-only provider medical and dental plans or more flexible medical and dental plans where you can see providers in or out-of-network
• Vision plan that offers both in and out-of-network provider options
• 401(k) Plan that offers pre-tax, Roth, and an after-tax employee contribution option which includes a company match.
• An additional employer paid discretionary profit share contribution, regardless of your participation in the 401(k) Plan
• Generous time-off policy
• 12 company holidays
• 16 hours to volunteer with ASCAP Notes the Cause Volunteer Program
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Short-term disability insurance/salary continuation and long-term disability insurance
• Company provided basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Employee gym discounts at select gyms
• Commuter benefits
• Voluntary pet health insurance
• Voluntary auto and homeowners insurance
• Voluntary employee, spouse, and dependent life insurance options
• Voluntary ID protection Coverage

ASCAP is an equal opportunity employer. All ASCAP employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications and performance and not on the basis of race, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, genetic information, disability, handicap, color, creed, religion, veteran status, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $55,000 to $70,000 and will be determined on an individualized basis depending on several factors that are unique to each candidate including geographic location (due to differences in the cost of labor), skills, education and prior relevant experience.

Last updated on Jan 24, 2025