Houston Symphony Volunteering Opportunities
The Houston Symphony League is the volunteer organization for the Houston Symphony. The volunteer opportunities listed here are those that are directly for the Symphony and don’t include other volunteering associated with League committees.
Why volunteer? By volunteering, you make a positive impact on your community, strengthen social bonds with other League members, and foster a sense of belonging to the League and the Symphony. Join your fellow League members in volunteering – make a difference for your Houston Symphony, enjoy time with old friends, and meet new friends.
Student Concerts
This is a favorite for our volunteers and is the biggest Education and Community Engagement program for the Houston Symphony. Meet our future musicians, audience members, and donors. Student Concert ushers greet upper elementary and middle school students from throughout the Greater Houston area as their buses arrive, usher them into Jones Hall, and help them return to their buses following the concerts. For many students this is their first visit to Jones Hall and often their first time at a live concert created especially for them. It is truly a joy to watch them at the concert and to help them in and out of the hall and back to their buses. As a perk, you can sit in on these amazing concerts.
Volunteer days are during the week. Volunteer arrive at 8:15 to 8:30 am and leave at 1:00 pm.
Family Concerts
These Saturday morning themed concerts are favorites for Houston-area families with young children. Greet families as they enter Jones Hall, help them with concert-themed crafts and assist them in making sounds on various instruments in the Instrument Petting Zoo. As a perk, you can sit in on the Symphony performance which is always a crowd pleaser.
Volunteer days are Saturdays. Volunteers arrive at 8:10 am and leave at 1:15 pm.
Crafts
Enjoy an evening of good food and conversation as we prepare crafts for the Family Concerts. Each concert has a different theme and the crafts relate to the theme.
Instrument Petting Zoo Crew
Volunteers help children learn how to hold and make a sound on various orchestral instruments, including strings, percussion, winds, and brass. The Instrument Petting Zoo is available at all Family Concerts and select community events. You do not need to know how to play any instrument and will be shown how to demonstrate this to young patrons.
In-Hall Concierge
The League Concierge volunteers work in-hall at Jones Hall to welcome the patrons and provide information to new Symphony ticket subscribers. Also, volunteers hand out marketing material for the League. New Members get the first selection of volunteer dates. These go quickly so if you are a new member, reserve your spot soon!
Annual Fund Tables
League volunteers assist at tables in Jones Hall before concerts, during intermission, and sometimes after the concert to help take payments for the Symphony Annual Fund. You will need to come to Jones Hall 30 minutes before the performance. New members get their first choice at sign-up.
Open Rehearsal Ushering
League volunteers greet and help usher patrons in Jones Hall during open rehearsals which are open to anyone who would like to attend. New members get their first choice at sign-up.
Appreciation Breakfast for Symphony Musicians and Staff
The League shows its appreciation for the musicians and staff with a breakfast event at Jones Hall. Volunteers supply and serve food. This event is a great way to interact with and meet the Symphony musicians and staff and is a fun time for all attendees.
Appreciation Lunch for Symphony Musicians and Staff
The League shows its appreciation for the musicians and staff with a sit-down lunch event at Jones Hall. Volunteers supply and serve food. This event is a great way to interact with and meet the Symphony musicians and staff and is a fun time for all attendees. Usually, an activity is provided for people to get to know each other better.
Community Events
Volunteers assist Symphony staff at various community events throughout the year. Recent events have included staffing the Instrument Petting Zoo at the Theater District Open House and greeting children at a concert at Miller Outdoor Theater. Watch your monthly eCounterpoint newsletters and special KeyNotes communications for more information.
Pop-Up Volunteering
The Symphony staff sometimes asks the League to provide volunteers to work at their events such as Vintage Virtuoso to help with check-in or to help stuff envelopes for Annual Fund mailings. These are always fun events at which to volunteer and get to know fellow members.
Questions regarding volunteering for the Houston Symphony can be directed to volunteering@houstonsymphonyleague.com
