Saint Louis Symphony
Volunteer Association

Project Overview

The Saint Louis Symphony Volunteer Association offers opportunities for all levels of time commitment and ability. Select SVA projects are discussed in more detail below; for more information, please contact us at 314-286-4182 or volunteer@slso.org.

Education and Community Programs

Instrument Playground
Targeted primarily toward elementary and middle school children, Instrument Playground is a traveling “hands-on” kit of musical instruments available on short term loan to area schools. These kits permit children to explore the four orchestral instrument groups. The SVA sponsors the project in collaboration with SLSO Community Partnership Program staff. Volunteers assist with assembling instrument kits and coordinate scheduling, delivery, and pick-up.

Instrument Playground - Brass Family (pdf)
Instrument Playground - Percussion Family (pdf)
Instrument Playground - Strings Family (pdf)
Instrument Playground - Woodwind Family (pdf)

Powell Hall Tours
Volunteers acting as tour guides share their knowledge about Powell Hall with school children from the St. Louis area following SLSO education concerts. Volunteer opportunities include training and/or facilitating education programs, coordinating tours, developing written materials and public speaking.

Powell Hall Ushers
Volunteers are also needed to usher at concerts during the season to help defray the cost of professional ushers at Powell Hall. Scheduling is coordinated through mailings by a committee chairperson and a Powell Hall contact. All volunteer ushers are welcome to stay for the performance.

Fundraising Projects

Boutique at Powell Hall

Volunteers sell unique music-related items in the Symphony's two boutique locations at Powell Hall. The boutique is open one hour before a concert and during intermission. Committee members record sales, create displays and help promote the SLSO and SVA. Boutique volunteers are also welcome to attend the second half of the concert. 

 

Membership

Orchestra and Chorus Appreciation Events
During the SLSO season, volunteers plan and arrange "thank you" coffees during rehearsal breaks for the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and Staff, IN UNISON® Chorus, Saint Louis Symphony Chorus and the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Mailing Committee
Daytime volunteers help with mailings of meeting notices, KeyNotes, invitations and Gypsy Caravan vendor contracts—sometimes on short notice.

Membership social events
The goals of this committee include enlisting new members, retaining existing members and making membership fun and rewarding. Volunteer opportunities include hosting New and Prospective Member evenings, Winter Heat (a thank you party for SVA members), and working with the Placement Committee.

Legislative Advocacy
Volunteers keep members informed about legislation that could impact the SLSO. Activities include an annual trip to Jefferson City in February to encourage Missouri legislators to continue funding the arts.

Placement Committee
The goal of the Placement Committee is to see that new members are connected to committees in which they have expressed an interest and to ensure that all members of the organization feel welcome. Volunteers make personal calls inviting members to General Membership Meetings and other special functions.

Communications

Archives
Volunteers collect and preserve photographs and printed information about the SVA. 

Correspondence Committee
Marriages, births, condolences and other occasions are acknowledged with a card or phone call.

Library and bulletin board displays
SVA members design public displays which feature photographs, instruments and text that highlight and promote the education and fundraising projects of the SVA. Exhibits are rotated monthly in libraries throughout the St. Louis area. A bulletin board at Powell Hall also highlights current SVA projects. 

Playbill articles
This committee writes articles for an SVA page in Playbill, the Symphony’s concert program. 

Photography
Volunteer photographers provide images for KeyNotes, publicity material and the archives.