PME veteran volunteer's preview from within, Dec. 17, 2007
I arrived at Notre Dame des Victoires last Saturday night at 6:45pm, early for my volunteer duties for PME's 8pm Dec. 15th Winter Canticles concert. I live in San Francisco, not like most everyone else, and it was an easy hop to the church. I even beat most of the chorus members who had a 7pm call time themselves. There had been a mass in the church which finished at 6:30pm, so rehearsal time was unusually tight and many were stuck in holiday traffic or hoping for parking karma as they circled the streets or garage.
Dressed warmly with long coat, hat and gloves, because I knew I'd be sitting outside the entry doors selling tickets, I proceeded to greet the singers and any early concert-goers as they arrived. I love this part as I know so many personally. It's really part of the fun of volunteering.
What else does a PME volunteer do, besides enjoy a wonderful concert for free?
- Well, while waiting for our volunteer leader I accepted to hold 2 tickets for will-call for one of the singers' family, then proceeded to sell those 2 tickets to an early attendee wanting to be sure to get in. (I'd handle the paperwork once we officially were set-up for business….all was documented on an envelope mind you. No need for the treasurer to worry.)
I helped the Quartet San Francisco volunteer find and position a table for selling their cds, checking with the priest for permission of course.- I told a couple they had time to get a bite to eat and suggested a place. And for yet another couple, I promised to hold tickets for them to purchase following a quick dinner.
- I surreptitiously took a floral bouquet from a singer, keeping it hidden from Lynne Morrow, found a hiding place just inside the entry in a cabinet and agreed with a wink when I should bring it down the aisle after the performance as a surprise from the singers.
- I held the door open as singers carried steps, staging and sound equipment for set-up. Most attendees probably have no idea that PME brings its own risers, sets them up and takes them down, loading them back downstairs and into a truck at every concert. And they sing too!!
- I listened, not for the first time, about how to access the WC before and during the concert, being mindful of the concern of entering through an alley via an unlocked door vs. taking a very slow elevator. Each venue has its particular idiosyncrasies and its own personalities.
- When our volunteer leader arrived, we shuffled tables for a bit to find the optimum spot and configuration and I proceeded to fold programs while waiting for the cash box and tickets to be ready for use.
- At the same time I continued to greet concert goers, suggesting to some that they had time for some window shopping and to come back after 7:30pm when we'd be open for business. Several chose to hang out in the lobby, mostly because not only was it very cold outside (for SF standards), but also because they could see the chorus rehearsing, and even hear a little, through the glass doors ….always an impressive little hors d'oeuvres before the main course…or chorus!
Several volunteers from the same family (husband, 14yr. old son and 8yr. old daughter of one of the performers) were also kept busy folding programs, then collecting tickets and explaining the open seating once the doors were open.- Out in the cold we proceeded to delve out the will-call tickets and sell the remaining tickets to the PME concert attendees…..while announcing that the doors would be open in approximately 5 minutes, several times, to much laughter. No one was upset that the singers were still rehearsing; just a little cold that's all.
- I got to use my French with a parishioner who came to inquire about the concert. The concert was, after all, in San Francisco's only French church.
- By the way, not once did I question whether someone was a student or a senior or if their tickets were misplaced or in question. I've found giving everyone the benefit of the doubt is always the best way to go, if you want to enjoy volunteering. Also, concert goers are worth it!
After that, once the first note was sung by the chorus, I quickly was relieved of my duties and moved into the next to last pew for a wonderful evening's concert. My volunteer duties were essentially over, except for the march of the flowers. Even my fingers warmed up as I clapped with mittened hands.
What a joyful way to spend a holiday evening with the Pacific Mozart Ensemble and Quartet San Francisco in perfect collaboration. The usual blog entries talk about the concert and the talents of the performers. Well, this one is a glimpse into some of the action surrounding these well planned events.
As a side note, another part of the joys of volunteering is joining the singers for some singer-eating and drinking afterwards at the Irish Bank down the street! But why did they sit outside?
Warmly,
Susie Shoaf (very longtime PME volunteer supporter)
For all the pics from St Mary's and NDV Follow the link... PME Christmas Concert 07