Parent and member volunteers are essential to the WYSO program. Without the participation of every family, it is difficult for WYSO to maintain its high level of service to the students. Each season WYSO works to create volunteer positions that are beneficial to the organization, meaningful to the volunteer, and can fit into a family’s busy schedule.

WYSO PARENTS ASSOCIATION

The WYSO Parents Association facilitates volunteerism and quality supplemental programs for both parents and members. There are three primary leaders of the Association (see descriptions below.) Co-chairs split one vote at Board meetings, while the Parent Representative-at-Large has one vote at Board meetings. Every WYSO parent is a member of the WYSO Parents Association.

WYSO PARENT LEADERS (leadership positions requiring an on-going commitment)

Parent Rehearsal Co-Chair (one per year)
This parent works with the orchestra chairs to coordinate all rehearsal volunteers (attendance takers, hall monitors) as well as coordinating rehearsal events such as the Sinfonietta/Concert Retreat and one parent meeting per year. It is expected that the co-chair will delegate some responsibilities to other parents.

Parent Event Co-Chair (one per year)
This co-chair works with the orchestra chairs to coordinate volunteers for social events such as the pizza party and concert receptions. This co-chair is also responsible for one parent meeting per year. It is expected that the co-chair will delegate some responsibilities to other parents.

Parent Representative-at-Large (one per year)
This position chairs the Family Fundraising Committee, which oversees the Musical Notes Campaign, the Art of Note fundraising project, and other projects concerning family fundraising.

Orchestra Chairs (two per orchestra)
Assists the Parent Co-Chairs in coordinating volunteers as stated above and also serves on the Family Fundraising Committee to help coordinate the Musical Notes Campaign, the Art of Note fundraising project, and other family fundraising volunteers. For more details on this job, click here.

CONTINUAL PARENT VOLUNTEERS (non-leadership positions requiring an on-going commitment)

Parent School Coordinators (PSCs)
Serves as a liaison to your child’s school music teacher to promote WYSO events, membership recruitment, and music advocacy. Also serves as a parent-to-parent contact for potential WYSO members. Volunteers from all schools are needed.

Parent Photo Team
Supports the WYSO office by photographing rehearsals and events for publicity purposes.

Special Skills Volunteer
Has special skills or talents not listed in any other volunteer category. May include graphic design, editing, database experience, web site experience, strong musical talent, etc.

Open House/Open Rehearsal Guide
Offers introduction and tour to prospective members and their families who visit WYSO on the first Saturday of each month.

Media Archivist
Aids the WYSO office by organizing WYSO’s vast collection of media clippings and photographs. Can be done on Saturdays or weekdays.

Board Committee Member (one meeting per month)
Serves on a Board of Directors Committee concerning one of the many areas of the WYSO organization. Examples of Committees are: Financial Development, Finance, Rabin Awards, and Art of Note.

ONE-TIME PARENT VOLUNTEERS (non-leadership positions requiring a one-time commitment)

Attendance Taker (Saturday morning for approximately 45 minutes)
Coordinated by the Parent Rehearsal Chair, this volunteer takes attendance for one orchestra. The volunteer picks up the attendance sheet for the assigned orchestra from room 1623, stands at the rehearsal room door to check in members as they arrive for rehearsals, and calls members’ homes if an absence has not been reported prior to rehearsal.

Hall Monitor (Saturday morning for 3 hours)
Coordinated by the Parent Rehearsal Chair, this volunteer sits in the rehearsal hallway and monitors WYSO members arriving tardy or leaving early, enforces hallway behavior policies set by WYSO, and assists with questions or illness.

Concert Monitor (Call time on concert day)
This volunteer takes attendance for the assigned orchestra, stays with them before their concert, and assists them to their proper places on-stage.

In-State Tour Chaperone (on orchestra tour day)
Rides on bus with members to assist with attendance, member needs when at tour venue, behavioral issues, etc.

Social Events Volunteer (as needed for WYSO events)
Assists the Orchestra Chairs as needed with events such as pizza parties and concert receptions.

Weekday Volunteer (as needed for two to four hours)
Assists WYSO office staff with on-going or short-term projects like mailings or other office work.

Saturday Volunteer (Saturday mornings during rehearsals)
Assists WYSO office staff with mailing preparation, photocopying, music sorting, concerto competition check-in, etc.

Concert Usher (2.5 hours on concert day)
Coordinated by the Parent Event Chair, ushers open hall doors to admit patrons, tear tickets, and hand out programs. They also assist the House Manager with monitoring the door for quiet late-entries and clean up the house after the concert ends.

Box Office Volunteer (1 hour on concert day)
Coordinated by the Parent Event Chair, this volunteer assists the Development Director with selling tickets before the concert.

Member Volunteers

Instrument Petting Zoo Participant (High School students)
Attend activities as needed/available to teach younger children about the instruments you play, how you started playing music, and how they can begin playing an instrument.

Freehand Artist
Work on projects at home as needed for Musical Notes, Event Posters, etc.

Event Speaker
Speak at various events on behalf of WYSO as needed and available.

Feature or Column Writer
Under the direction of the Membership Coordinator, write a one-time feature or continuing column for the WYSO website.

Concert Usher (2.5 hours on concert day)
Coordinated by the Parent Event Chair, ushers open hall doors to admit patrons, tear tickets, and hand out programs. They also assist the House Manager with monitoring the door for quiet late-entries and clean up the house after the concert ends.

Special Talents
If you have special skills that you would like to offer to WYSO, let us know!