Volunteers needed for California Philharmonic shows at the Arboretum

Members of the community looking to donate their time and talent, broaden their musical horizons and have fun while doing it at one of the most beautiful venues in Southern California – the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden in Arcadia – may want to consider joining the California Philharmonic’s corps of volunteers this summer. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks, ranging from greeting and ushering guests to working with the stage crew.

“We have volunteer positions that will appeal to just about everyone,” says Cal Phil’s founder Dr. Victor Vener. “And I can’t think of better perk than having the opportunity to enjoy world-class performances of great music in return for giving back to your neighbors and fellow music lovers.”

“We welcome anyone age 14 and older,” adds Cal Phil’s Director of Volunteers, Nora Delgado. “Also, given that we work with a team of about 400 volunteers in total, I’m looking for Volunteer Leaders and Captains.”

Volunteer leaders must be available for all five concerts taking place this summer, Delgado stresses.

Concerts programmed this season include: By George!, on Saturday, June 27, featuring works by George Handel, George Gershwin and George M. Cohan; Basically Beatles, on Saturday, July 11, with The Fab Four, “the best Beatles cover band in the world,” according to KEARTH 101 Radio; Swords and Chivalry on Saturday, July 25, highlighting works of courage and romance, from Braveheart and Zorro to Kiss Me Kate; Movie Magic on Saturday, August 8, which will present excerpts from soundtracks of such Hollywood blockbusters as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Lord of the Rings and Casablanca; and Broadway’s Best on Saturday, August 22, featuring excerpts from the musical theater ranging from Mama Mia! and Wicked to The Merry Widow and Die Fledermaus.

During concert weeks, set up hours for crew volunteers are scheduled during Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Arboretum, which is located at 301 North Baldwin Avenue in Arcadia. “We are looking for volunteers of any age, in good physical condition and who are able to lift objects of 50 pounds or more,” says Delgado.

For more information about volunteer opportunities at Cal Phil, call 626.300.8200 or email volunteer@calphil.org. More information about the California Philharmonic’s upcoming season – which includes Cal Phil Festival on the Green at The Arboretum in Arcadia on Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Cal Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles the next day, Sunday at 2 p.m. – is available online, at www.calphil.org.

The mission of the Cal Phil Foundation is to bring excellent and professional performances of great music to the widest possible audience. To achieve its mission, Cal Phil works to: provide access to performances, serve as a major cultural resource, achieve regional, national and international recognition for the orchestra, provide free and low-cost educational outreach concerts and programs for all people, and encourage community involvement in the organization beyond concert attendance – through volunteer participation, network groups and leadership role opportunities.