Quarter Notes

Volunteerism at the BSO is a labor of love, and several volunteers, some of whom were volunteers for more than 40 years, say they loved what they did, and when they could no longer be active volunteers, they became Volunteer Emeriti (VE). This special distinction supports the BSO through a Friends-level donation of $100 to the BSO, Boston Pops or Tanglewood. According to Alexandra Warshaw, former Vice Chair of Tanglewood, “This program gives many volunteers the opportunity to continue to be involved with the BSAV without having to make the full commitment.”

The BSAV Volunteer Emeritus program began in 2014, and currently it includes 107 volunteer emeriti. The program is open to any individual from Boston or Tanglewood who has given more than 10 years and/or 250 hours of service to the BSO volunteer organization. Volunteer Emeriti status must maintain their annual fund membership. VE members are also encouraged to attend all-hands-on-deck events, such as open houses, recognition nights, and Welcome Back. They are listed in the BSAV directory to enable them to stay in touch with their colleagues, and they receive emails about complimentary tickets offered to BSAV members when available. All volunteer emeriti are encouraged to attend concerts, and are offered Tanglewood season passes at the same $100 rate as full-time Berkshire residents for the season. They are also allowed to purchase a companion pass, if requested, to go with that purchase.

Starbuck Smith, a longtime Tanglewood usher and resident of Stockbridge, began volunteering in 1974 and has achieved 40 years of service, having ushered in the back of the Shed, Sections 17 and 19. “The ushers in those days,” he recalls, “had to wear white jackets and ties if they worked in the front of the house, and those, like me, in the back, wore blue blazers and neckties to distinguish us. There was no sign-up then; you just showed up to usher and were assigned where to go. Generally, it all worked out,” he added.

An architect by profession, Smith also became involved with several renovations at Tanglewood through his firm, Bradley Architects of Pittsfield. He became Volunteer Emeritus five years ago and says that he misses the camaraderie with the other ushers with whom he became good friends. Smith is still a regular at Tanglewood weekend concerts, especially the TMC Sunday morning programs. “It is so special when you can get to know the Fellows,” he said.

Joan Kennedy became a Volunteer Emerita in 2018 after working for 27 years in Boston helping in the Archives. Joan has been a subscriber of the BSO since 1967, and she and her husband have had the same seats at Symphony Hall each season. Joan remembers meeting many musicians from the orchestra, as well as professors of music from various colleges in Boston, who came into the Archives to look up information on various pieces and the dates when they were performed. Joan’s favorite volunteering assignment, however, was not the Archives, but the task of cleaning the ancient instruments at Symphony Hall. “It was meticulous work with a very small brush, but I loved handling these precious items,” she said.

Volunteer Emeritus Wally Rowe, who for many years handed out programs to patrons, also volunteered at many BSO programs held in satellite locations such as schools and colleges in Metropolitan Boston communities and on the North Shore. Wally points out that people who volunteer for the BSO become a community. “My fellow volunteers became friends whom I grew to care for,” he said. “To me, Symphony Hall is a reverent, special place.” Wally became a Volunteer Emeritus this year because he has retired to New Hampshire. “As Volunteer Emeritus,” he said, “I feel that I am still a part of this very special organization.”

Another Boston volunteer, Pat Monk, who has retired from active service but remains connected to the Orchestra and attends concerts often, actively endorses the VE program. “With my Volunteer Emerita status, I like being kept informed of what is going on and having access to the major events of the volunteer organization,” she says. “I have met lovely people over my years volunteering at the BSO and this is a great way to stay in touch,” she adds.

Sue Barnes was a 20-year volunteer at Tanglewood, where she had assignments as a programmer and an usher. She recalls working at the desk in front of the main gate, greeting people waiting in line to enter the grounds. “One of the individuals reported to me that she had lost her wallet somewhere on the grounds,” she recalls. “I informed the groundskeeper, who found the wallet, which was returned to its owner. The most beautiful bouquet of flowers arrived for me the next day. I was astonished!” Although Sue now lives in Virginia Beach and rarely gets to Tanglewood, she maintains her status as a Volunteer Emerita. “I will keep my connection to the BSO forever,” she says.

The Volunteer Emeritus program makes it possible for people who are no longer able to assume a full load of volunteering to stay connected in the BSO community. For more information, contact the BSAV office at 617-638-9390 or bsav@bso.org.