Quarter Notes

The summer of 2023 was marked by a busy slate of concerts; a total of 43 in the Shed and 49 in Ozawa Hall were assisted by our 299 ushers. 148 volunteers served as hosts this summer: 33 were parking lot hosts, 62 were information hosts, and the rest assisted with greeting patrons, wayfinding on the grounds, and with mobile ticketing. We had a crew of 62 volunteers who worked in the gift shops. 47 volunteers served as exhibit docents in the Visitor’s Center, and they were kept very busy as many visitors came to see the exhibits, which included the Tappan House history, popular artist concerts, women composers, and models of the original designs of the Shed and Ozawa Hall. We encourage all patrons of Tanglewood to stop in while they are on the grounds. Also, this summer, our 27 tour guides led 147 tours of the beautiful Tanglewood property. We had a total of 474 volunteers this summer; 59 were new volunteers (identifiable by their green lanyards).

The season was more difficult than some years, as all our volunteers dealt with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, particularly at the July 4^th James Taylor concert, where the music and the fireworks were still spectacular in spite of the weather.

There were five Coffee Talks for volunteers this season, a practice begun in the summer of 2021 following Covid. Coffee Talks has become an opportunity for volunteers to meet and chat informally over morning coffee on select Friday and Saturday mornings. Sign-ups were required and these sessions were so popular, they were over-subscribed!

Volunteer Emeritus Program to Expand in 2024

The BSAV Volunteer Emeritus program began in 2014 and currently includes 150 volunteer emeriti. The program is open to any individual from Boston or Tanglewood who has given over ten years and/or 250 hours of service to the BSAV. VE members are invited to attend all volunteer events such as open houses, Recognition Events, and Welcome Back. They are listed in the BSAV directory, receive notices about complimentary tickets offered to all BSAV members, and are encouraged to attend concerts. They are offered Tanglewood season lawn passes at the same rate as full-time Berkshire residents ($100) for the season. Once a person accepts Volunteer Emeritus status, he or she must maintain their Friends-level donation of $100 to the organization to be a part of the program.

Volunteer Emeritus activities for next summer will expand to include activities like the Coffee Talks, as well as other social events that the BSAV is developing. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to summer 2024. Anyone who is interested in joining the BSAV Volunteer Emeritus program or has ideas about the programming should contact Erin at easbury@bso.org.

The 2023 summer season may have ended, but the BSAV is already developing plans for winter Zooms to keep the volunteers connected as they listen and learn from BSO musicians and staff, as well as other speakers about this great orchestra and the community that they are a valuable part.