Volunteer Opportunities

Home Volunteer Opportunities

Without the efforts of volunteers we would not be able to run the program as efficiently as we do. Therefore, we ask that for each musician at least one parent/guardian/family member provides some volunteer help during the year. Volunteer commitments range from just a few hours to more involved positions that request commitment throughout the year; you can read about the variety of volunteer opportunities below. In the registration process we’ll kindly ask registrants to indicate potential areas of interest for volunteering to give the organization a sense of where we can call upon people for support. Thank you in advance for your commitment!

Volunteers are required to fill out documentation; please read more about volunteer documentation here.

Click on the following titles to reveal more information about the existing volunteer roles.

If you require more information about volunteering, please email the WYO Administrator at WYO-adm@winnipegyouthorchestras.ca

General

Committee Work
  • Please choose this option if you are willing to work on one of these committees.
  • From time to time, committees are formed to assist the board in accomplishing a task. This may involve meetings, phone calls, and other work..
  • This is a great opportunity for individuals who are interested in joining the board and would like to get a feel for the issues involved.
Fundraising/Sales
  • Please choose this option if you are willing to make phone calls to sell or promote advertising and/or products to raise funds for one or all of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestras.
Overnight Camp Chaperones (YOUTH STRINGS ONLY)
  • Over 2 days on a weekend in September.
  • 30 Hour time commitment.
  • Could involve an overnight stay at camp.
General Volunteer
  • Please choose this option if you are willing to be contacted for any situation that may arise that requires additional volunteer.
Bus Tour Chaperones
  • A spring day, typically the week before the Sounds of Spring concert.
  • 8­ to 12 hour time commitment depending on tour plans.
  • May need to drive on your own.
  • A mini-­van is ideal for transporting instruments or chaperones if needed.
Parent Liaisons
  • Assist the conductor during the regular rehearsals (as requested by the conductor)
  • Youth Strings ONLY – Organize the schedule for the Youth Strings Snack Shop.
  • Youth Strings ONLY – Organize the T-shirt sales for tour.
Scholarship Competition
  • Typically takes place the first weekend after the Holiday Concert in December.
  • Available for shifts on Friday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM and/or Saturday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
  • Check in competitors, answer questions and direct musicians to practice rooms.
  • Assist adjudicators.
Auditions
  • Typically a Saturday a few weeks after the Sounds of Spring concert.
  • Check in musicians as they arrive.
  • Make sure they are ready and waiting outside for their audition time.
  • 2­ to 4 hour time commitment (depends on the number of volunteers).

Holiday Concert

Ushers
  • Secure and monitor all entrances to the lobby and theatre, collect tickets & hand out concert programs.
Backstage Chaperones
  • Check all musicians in as they arrive.
  • Direct musicians to/from on­stage rehearsal.
  • Supervise musicians in rehearsal room.
  • Assist conductor(s).
  • Direct musicians to/from performance.
  • Ensure musicians get checked out by parents as per WYO policy
  • Clean­up practice and dressing room
  • Stay with your group for the entire duration from arrival to release to parents
Stage Door Attendants
  • Stationed at the stage door entrance to permit only musicians to enter backstage.
  • Direct musicians to their rehearsal room.
  • Restrict parents, family and friends from going backstage or to the lobby.
Donation Table
  • Arrive just prior to the doors opening.
  • Hand out WYO brochure to interested ticket holders.
  • Accept donations to the WYO.

Sounds of Spring | MORNING Concert

Stage Door Attendants
  • Required from 7:45 AM to 9:15 AM.
  • Stationed at the stage door entrance to let musicians backstage.
  • Direct musicians to their rehearsal room.
  • Restrict parents, family and friends from going backstage.
Seating School Children
  • Required from 9:00 AM to 10:15 AM.
  • As school children arrive, direct them and their teachers to the appropriate seats.
Backstage Chaperones
  • Required from 7:45 AM to 11:30 AM.
  • Check all musicians against list as they arrive (for security reasons).
  • Direct musicians to/from rehearsal.
  • Supervise musicians in rehearsal room.
  • Assist conductor(s).
  • Direct musicians to/from performance.
  • Ensure musicians get checked out by parents as per WYO policy.
  • Clean­up practice and dressing room.
  • Stay with your group for the entire duration from arrival to release to parents.
Tuner (Youth Strings)
  • Required for roughly 30 minutes prior to the pre­concert rehearsal.
  • Assist the musicians in tuning of their instruments prior to their rehearsal.

Sounds of Spring | EVENING Concert

Stage Door Attendants
  • Stationed at the stage door entrance to let musicians backstage.
  • Direct musicians to their rehearsal room.
  • Restrict parents, family and friends from going backstage.
Tuner (Youth Strings)
  • Assist the musicians in the Youth Strings in tuning of their instruments prior to the performance.
Food Committee
  • 1 person to arrange food and drinks for morning and evening concerts.
  • 4 to 5 additional people are needed for setting up tables and food at the venue.
Backstage Chaperones
  • Check all musicians against list as they arrive.
  • Direct musicians to/from rehearsal.
  • Supervise musicians in rehearsal room.
  • Assist conductor(s).
  • Direct musicians to/from performance.
  • Ensure musicians get checked out by parents as per WYO policy.
  • Clean­up practice and dressing room.
  • Stay with your group for the entire duration from arrival to release to parents.
Post ­Reception Cleaning
  • Required for roughly 30 minutes toward the end of and after the reception.
  • Clean up food trays and remove all extra food/beverages to transport vehicle.
Donation Table
  • Arrive just prior to the doors opening.
  • Hand out WYO Brochure to interested ticket holders.
  • Accept donations to the WYO.
Baking
  • Please choose this option if you are willing to bake and deliver 3-4 dozen dainties or treats for the reception that follows the Sounds of Spring concert.