Volunteering in Education
Volunteers for Oregon Symphony Education & Community Engagement play a central role in achieving our goal of providing opportunities for all Oregonians to engage in high quality artistic experiences in music. We look to our volunteers to act as ambassadors for our programs and above all, advocates for arts education. Descriptions of volunteer opportunities are listed below.
Interested in volunteering? Let us know by filling out our Education Volunteer Interest Form.
Questions? Contact Oregon Symphony Education and Community Engagement at 503-228-4294 or by e-mail at educate@orsymphony.org.
Specific volunteer activities include:
Docents
Oregon Symphony docents visit area classrooms to help deepen the experience for students and teachers who are attending an Oregon Symphony Youth Concert. Docents lead students through active listening lessons and activities that feature in-depth background on the music that will be performed at upcoming concerts. Docents are also available to return to the classroom after the concert to engage in post-concert activities. Prior to their classroom visits, docents receive comprehensive training and guidance that provides the information and materials necessary for all classroom presentations.
School Liaison
Volunteers make presentations at school and district staff meetings, write letters and make phone calls to area principals, teachers and parent organizations. These preliminary contacts are often the initial step in developing lasting relationships with schools and their communities. By actively encouraging teachers to take advantage of the programs the symphony offers, volunteers are an essential link in bringing students from the classroom to the concert hall.
Tour Guides
Tours of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall provide an opportunity for school and community groups to come inside the concert hall, explore behind the scenes and experience the feeling of arriving at the hall as a musician. During the one-hour tour, groups learn about the history of the building and the orchestra and sit in on a working rehearsal. Visitors also have the opportunity to spend a short time with a member of the orchestra and hear a bit about how they became a professional musician. Tours are free of charge and occur once a month on Thursday mornings and afternoons throughout the season. As a new tour guide you will receive training and have the opportunity to shadow a tour led by an experienced guide.
Youth Concert Ushers
With help from Oregon Symphony staff, a crew of energetic volunteers welcomes students and teachers as they arrive for Youth Concerts at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, help them find their seats before the concert, the doors on their way out and of course, the restrooms. This job is for volunteers who enjoy children and lots of them! Volunteers must be comfortable with walking up and down aisles and stairs.
Kinderkonzert Ushers
Volunteers greet students and teachers as they arrive at the concert and help them find their seats. Kinderkonzerts are often the students’ first experience with the Oregon Symphony and we aim to make it a fun one!
Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods
Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods volunteers assist Symphony staff and a neighborhood planning committee with the afternoon festival which precedes the first of two evening outdoor concerts in Portland parks each August. Volunteers are also needed for our annual Waterfront Concert, also held in August, at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
Symphony Storytimes Assistants
Volunteers play an essential role at Symphony Storytimes, ensuring that all attendees get a chance to try out an instrument and to make a craft item. Responsibilities include setting up the craft project, welcoming the attendees with a bookmark and survey sheet, assisting the musician during the instrument petting zoo and assisting with the craft project.
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are often called upon to participate in various education and community events throughout the year as they are able. These opportunities might include assisting with an instrument "petting zoo" or helping to facilitate small ensemble performances for public or private events.