Houston Symphony Volunteering Opportunities

The Houston Symphony League is the volunteer organization for the Houston Symphony.  League members work and organize volunteers for the following programs and events.

Student Concerts Ushering

This is a favorite for our volunteers and is the biggest Education and Community Engagement program for the Houston Symphony.  Children of upper elementary and middle school age come from around the Greater Houston area to experience Jones Hall and full-orchestra concerts which are geared for their age groups.  Around 60% of the children are considered to come from underprivileged homes, schools, or neighborhoods.  For many students this is their first visit to Jones Hall and often their first time at a live   concert created especially for them. Volunteers are vitally important to the job of greeting the schools as they arrive and ushering students to their seats.   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.

Family Concerts

Saturday morning Family Concerts are geared and customized for family-oriented entertainment.  The Instrument Petting Zoo is an extremely popular activity that involves showing young patrons how to hold and play various instruments.  Young patrons also enjoy art and craft activities inspired by the theme of the concert.  League volunteers serve as greeters and volunteers for the Instrument Petting Zoo, the crafts, and other activities.

In-hall Concierge

The League Concierge volunteers work in-hall at Jones Hall to welcome the patrons and hand out gifts and provide information to new Symphony ticket subscribers.

Appreciation Breakfast for Musicians and Staff

The League shows its appreciation for the musicians and staff with 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.

LAO Conference

The yearly conference for the League of American Orchestras (LAO) will be in Houston June 6-8, 2024, and the Houston Symphony League has the honor to provide volunteers to help with the conference.  Volunteer activities such as assembling LAO tote bags, creating attendee lanyards, and chairing the registration desk are needed during most of that week.

Summer Neighborhood Concert Series

The Symphony partners with schools and community organizations throughout the Greater Houston area to present free Neighborhood Concerts for the community to help spread the word about the Symphony and music.  Volunteer activities include greeting patrons and the Instrument Petting Zoo.

Neighborhood events

The Symphony participates in neighborhood art and musical festivals by bringing crafts and the Instrument Petting Zoo to the venues. These two activities are very popular and encourage exposure to and education regarding musicians, music, and musical instruments.

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.

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.