What is the time commitment expected of a BMCA volunteer?
Volunteering with the Brevard Music Center is a serious commitment that requires training time beyond time spent simply volunteering. This is especially true for those who have opted to join a Concert Committee. We would love to have you as a BMCA volunteer, but please consider the time commitment before you sign up.
Volunteers may sign up for a maximum of two Concert Committees including Concessions, Harmony Gifts, Maestro Society Lounge, Ushers, and Welcome Raffle. Volunteers may also join Non-concert Committees including the Deliveries/Special Projects, Landscape, Volunteer Support, Photography/Communications, Special Events, Volunteer Office, Volunteer Support and Volunteer Technology Support. Committee descriptions are available on the BMC Volunteer page.
Some committees are active only during the performance season of May through August. Other committees may have year-round opportunities to volunteer. Seasonal commitments are included in the Committee descriptions available on the BMC Volunteer page.
For Concert Committee volunteers, the chair of that committee will inform you of how many performances you can expect to work during the performance season. There is also information in the Committee descriptions available on the BMC Volunteer page.
During April, all concert volunteers are required to attend a training for VicNet, the online concert scheduling system used by the BMCA. BMCA system administrators provide in-person, Zoom, and online training sessions for VicNet during April. All Concert Committee volunteers, both new and returning, must be comfortable using VicNet to schedule themselves for performances.
Committee orientation sessions take place in April and May, either before or at the Welcome Luncheon and Orientation in late May.
Are volunteers offered training?
Both new and returning volunteers are offered training by the BMCA board and also by their respective committee chairs.
Typically, a day in late May is designated as the Welcome Luncheon and Orientation for all BMCA volunteers. On this day, all Concert Committees hold training sessions. During the on-site registration for this event, you can pick up the BMCA shirts you ordered and your name tag.
New volunteers may be assigned to work with experienced volunteers as mentors.
Will I be assigned to specific dates/performances?
Volunteers sign themselves up for concert dates based on availability using the online scheduling system, VicNet. Self-scheduling is done during a 2 to 3 week period in April and May. Volunteers must have attended one of the VicNet training sessions offered in April prior to self-scheduling.
Where are the volunteer venues?
There are three performance venues affiliated with the Brevard Music Center; the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium (WPA) and Parker Concert Hall on the BMC campus and the Porter Center at Brevard College.
Typically, there are 60+ summer performances across all venues.
What do volunteers wear at concerts?
Volunteers on most Concert Committees must wear a blue BMCA Volunteer polo or long-sleeve shirt and khaki pants or skirts at concerts. No shorts are allowed.
The blue BMCA Volunteer shirts must be purchased when registering as a volunteer. The cost is typically $25.00 and is required if you are a new volunteer and do not have one.
Maestro Society Lounge and Special Events volunteers wear solid white shirts and black pants or skirts when volunteering.
Is there parking available for volunteers?
Volunteers park in the regular parking areas for BMC patrons. There is no designated parking for volunteers.
Will I be able to see performances?
When working at a performance, each Concert Committee volunteer receives one free concert ticket (subject to availability) for a BMC-designated seat. If a concert is sold out, the volunteer may receive a ticket for lawn seating at WPA, or obstructed view seats or standing room only at Parker Concert Hall or Porter Center.
Volunteers typically are able to see the entire performance. Concert volunteers are required to work before the concert and during intermission. They may be permitted to watch the performance during the first half but are still considered to be on duty. After intermission, they may be free to stay for the second half or leave. The exceptions are the Usher Committee volunteers who are required to stay and work the entire performance.
What are the perks of volunteering?
Concert Committee volunteers will receive a ticket to watch an event when volunteering at a concert as described under the Will I be able to see performances section above (subject to availability).
Active Non-Concert Committee volunteers (who do not serve on any Concert Committees) receive two vouchers that can be exchanged for concert tickets during the summer season. Some exclusions may apply.
At the close of the season, volunteers are offered two complimentary tickets to the final Friday night concert and invited to the annual Volunteer Appreciation celebration, sponsored by Brevard Music Center, a post-concert reception with great food and drink. At the reception, outstanding volunteers are recognized.
How can I learn more about BMCA and volunteering?
You can learn more about the Brevard Music Center Association's mission, organization, events, and expectations by reading the Volunteer Handbook.
Online registration is open for four weeks from mid-February to mid-March every year. In February, volunteers from the previous season receive an email announcement with a registration link.
Inquiries from new volunteers are tracked year-round. If you are interested in becoming a BMCA volunteer, send an email to volunteer@brevardmusic.org and request a registration form be sent to you in February.
All volunteers must register each year by submitting the online registration form.