Volunteer Handbook
Volunteering is the heart and soul of the Houston Symphony League.
Our mission is:
To collaboratively support the Houston Symphony’s audience development, education, and fundraising activities with engaged volunteers.
There are many ways League members can volunteer to support our mission. This Handbook focuses on those activities that directly serve the Houston Symphony. If you are interested in volunteering for one or more of these opportunities, the names of the event chairs and contact information as well as how to sign up are at the bottom.
Volunteer Opportunities
Student Concerts
Student Concerts are a favorite among our volunteers and are the Symphony’s largest Education and Community Engagement events, serving almost 60,000 students each year. Upper elementary and middle-school children from across the Greater Houston area are bused to Jones Hall, where they are treated to concerts specifically created for them. The goal of the concerts is to inspire the children to learn to play an instrument or to continue playing their instrument. It is truly a joy to help them enter and exit Jones Hall and watch them experience the joys of symphonic music.
Volunteers greet students as their buses arrive, assist them in finding their entrance doors into Jones Hall, and help them return to their buses after the concerts. There are twelve days of Student Concerts each season, with two concerts per day. We serve an average of 5,000 students each concert day. As a bonus, volunteers are encouraged to sit in and enjoy one of the two concerts.
Time Commitment: Volunteers arrive by 8:30 am and leave between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm after all students have left Jones Hall. All Student Concerts are on weekdays, usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Cancellations: Persons who commit to volunteering for a Student Concert are expected to be present on those days. However, it is understood that circumstances may arise that prevent you from being present. In those cases, we ask that you contact the event chair as soon as possible. This allows time to find a replacement or to reorganize the schedule.
What to Wear: Volunteers are encouraged to wear dark pants and white tops. Comfortable shoes are a must! Name tags and Houston Symphony aprons are provided upon arrival.
Family Concerts
Family Concerts are special subscription concerts for families with young children. Each concert has a special theme, e.g., Holly Jolly Holidays, Get Up and Dance. Volunteers greet families as they enter Jones Hall, provide crafts related to the concert theme, and staff the ever-popular Instrument Petting Zoo, where children can hold and make sounds on various instruments. Depending upon the concert theme, additional activities may be added for the children. As a bonus, volunteers are encouraged to sit in and enjoy one of the two concerts.
Time Commitment: Volunteers arrive by 8:30 am and leave by 1:00 pm after the activities conclude. All Family Concerts are on Saturdays.
Cancellations: Persons who commit to volunteering for a Family Concert are expected to be present on those days. However, it is understood that circumstances may arise that prevent you from being present. In those cases, we ask that you contact the event chair as soon as possible. This allows time to find a replacement or to reorganize the schedule.
What to Wear: Volunteers are encouraged to wear dark pants and white tops. Comfortable shoes are a must! Name tags and Houston Symphony aprons are provided upon arrival.
Instrument Petting Zoo (IPZ)
Volunteers help children learn to hold and produce sound on various orchestral instruments, including strings, percussion, winds, and brass. The IPZ is available at all Family Concerts and select community events, e.g., Theater District Open House. You do not need to know how to play any instrument. You will be shown how to demonstrate this to young patrons prior to the concerts.
Crafts
The Craft Team prepares crafts for Family Concerts related to the concert theme. Crafts have included wands, masks, and many other such items. The Craft Team also prepares box violins every fall for the Symphony’s DeLUXE K!DS program. Members can sign up for Craft Preparation which is an evening of good food and conversation as we prepare craft materials and/or Family Concert Days to assist children with making their crafts on the morning of the Family Concerts. You don’t need to be an expert crafter to participate in either activity, and you can choose to do one or both!
In-Hall Concierge
Before select concerts, League members provide Concierge service to patrons. Such service includes welcoming new Symphony ticket subscribers, providing information about future concerts and subscription packages, answering questions about navigating Jones Hall, assisting the Symphony’s marketing or development staff with distributing materials, answering questions about the League, and more. New League Members receive priority in the selection of concert dates. As a thank you, volunteers are welcome to sit in and enjoy the concert.
Time Commitment: Volunteers should plan to arrive 90 minutes before the concert. The doors open an hour before concerts. Volunteers should plan to stay for 15-20 minutes after the concert, to answer any questions from patrons.
Cancellations: Persons who commit to volunteering to staff the Concierge table are expected to be present on those days. However, it is understood that circumstances may arise that prevent you from being present. In those cases, we ask that you contact the event chair as soon as possible. This allows time to find a replacement or to reorganize the schedule.
What to Wear: Volunteers are encouraged to wear concert attire. Name tags are provided upon arrival.
Musician and Staff Appreciation Breakfast and Lunch
The League shows its appreciation for the Houston Symphony musicians and staff with a breakfast and luncheon at Jones Hall during the season. Volunteers can supply and serve food and/or contribute money to defray the costs of these events. These events are a great way to meet and interact with the Symphony musicians and staff and are a fun time for all. The breakfast is usually held in the fall and the lunch in the spring.
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering with the Houston Symphony offers meaningful personal and community benefits.
Impact on the Symphony and Community
- Play an important role in supporting the Houston Symphony’s mission.
- Help nearly 60,000 children each year enjoy memorable experiences learning about music and orchestral instruments.
- Guide children as they explore how to make sounds on a variety of instruments.
- Welcome guests at Symphony performances, answer questions, and help create a positive experience.
Enjoyment and Connection
- Attend performances and enjoy hearing the Houston Symphony.
- Build friendships with fellow League members who share your passion for the Symphony.
- Get to know the musicians and staff who bring each performance to life.
Personal Well-Being
Volunteering can also support your physical and mental health. Research shows that volunteering may reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall cognitive and emotional well-being.
How to Sign Up to Volunteer
Below are the names of the event chairs for each volunteer opportunity as well as their contact information. Please feel free to contact them for more information on how you can help.
Student Concerts
Sign up by clicking
or contact Deb Happ at dahapp37@gmail.com
Family Concerts
Sign up by clicking
or contact Darlene Clark at edwincf@swbell.net
Instrument Petting Zoo
Contact Mary Roberts at mary.laneva.roberts@gmail.com
Crafts
Contact Ann Tornyos at anntnola@gmail.com
or Kristin Turnak at kgturnak@outlook.com
In-Hall Concierge
Contact Erika Westberry at professional.landman@yahoo.com
Musician and Staff Appreciation Breakfast and Lunch
Contact Bob Chanon at robert.chanon@gmail.com
or Patty McFall at mcfallpatty@gmail.com
