Become a Volunteer

The CBSO is very grateful for the help it receives from a network of volunteers within the community.  Perhaps you would like to get more involved with the CBSO's activites, or help others to enjoy the CBSO's music as much as you do?

There are a number of opportunities to volunteer with the CBSO:

CBSO Centre Stewards
The CBSO's rehearsal and administration home, CBSO Centre hosts a varied programme of around 80 public events for all ages every year, and the volunteer stewards play a vital part at these performances. As a steward you benefit from hearing many of these performances from within the hall and being part of a friendly venue team. To find out more or express your interest, please email Niki Longhurst, CBSO Centre Manager, or call her on 0121 616 6532.

Become an Ambassador for CBSO concerts
If you have a passion for the CBSO's music, then you can help others to share this joy by becoming an ambassador for CBSO concerts.  Life sometimes gets in the way of planning for those things we mean to do, and our ambassadors simply help others to book inspirational concerts into their diaries.  Many CBSO ambassadors operate within their workplace, but you can become a CBSO ambassador for any network of people you know.  The benefits for groups of 11 or more  include (among others) 20% off tickets and 1 free ticket for the organiser. Find out more by contacting Eva Wuestum, Assistant Marketing Manager, or call her on 0121 616 6513.

Feedback from concert-goers who've attended recently with an ambassador.
"Sounds like a great way to spend a evening – count me in"
"What a great idea. We used to have annual subscription and have meant to get back to it."

Youth Chorus Chaperones
The CBSO's four choruses for young people could not operate without the help from the Youth Chorus Chaperones. These volunteers are carefully-screened adults who help the CBSO's Chorus department with responsibilities for the welfare of the young singers at rehearsals and performances. To find out more about chaperoning, please contact Katie Gardner, Assistant Manager, Chorus and L&P Community Engagement, or call her on 0121 616 6531.

Spread the word
Some of the CBSO's keenest concert-goers pop into CBSO Centre during the week (9am-6pm), or to the CBSO desk at Symphony Hall on concert nights, and pick up leaflets to distribute within their community.  We organise leaflet display through a number of specialist distribution companies, but they can't get everywhere!  So if you know somewhere near you where you think CBSO leaflets should be displayed, just come and see us to pick some up.

Work experience
A work experience placement at the CBSO gives students an up-close look into some of the inner workings of a world-class orchestra. Placements will work within the Learning & Participation department, attend an orchestra rehearsal and concert (depending on the orchestra's schedule), and find out what it's like to work behind the scenes at the CBSO.

A work experience placement provides a young person with the opportunity to develop wider skills related to the orchestra: understanding how we work with schools and community groups and seeing the work that goes into the build up and delivery of a concert. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking at a wider career or insight in the arts.

Placements will be allocated based on availability and after a recruitment process which includes an application and informal interview. We can only take on young people aged 14 - 25 years old. Places are limited and very popular with priority given to those working towards a Young People's Arts Award* and already involved in one of the CBSO's activities. Register your interest via email at education@cbso.co.uk.

*Arts Award is a national qualification at three levels, which supports young people to enjoy the arts and develop creative leadership skills. It runs in schools, youth and arts settings across England. Find out more at www.artsaward.org.uk or contact westmidlands@artsaward.org.uk.

Please note that placements for 2013 are now closed due to the high number of applicants and limited places. To register your interest for work experience in 2014, please contact us by email only via education@cbso.co.uk from August 2013.