POTSDAM - The Orchestra of Northern New York is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions, including a moving crew, host families for out-of-town musicians, hospitality, and office work. If you are willing to assist ONNY in one of these vital areas, please contact Executive Director Kathy Del Guidice at 315-212-3440 or executivedirector@onny.org

Moving the Orchestra

ONNY’s ace transportation crew of Steve Bateman, Lisbon, and Marc Boyer, Ogdensburg, are retiring in July after helping to move the orchestra to/from Watertown and other communities for the past six years. The tasks include renting a U-Haul truck, which ONNY pays for, and loading and unloading musical instruments (mostly percussion) and music stands at the venue. Upon arrival, the truck is unloaded and set-up for the concert occurs, placing chairs and music stands according to the seating chart, and affixing lights to each stand. When the concert is over, the truck is loaded and travels back to Potsdam. Items are returned to the Crane School of Music, and the truck is taken back to U-Haul.

It can be a lot of fun, and the crew is only needed six times per year when concerts take place. If you are interested in playing this vital role for the orchestra, even for just two or three concerts, please contact the Executive Director.

Providing a Bed for Out-of-Town Musicians

While two-thirds of ONNY musicians hail from the North Country, out-of-town musicians are hired for seats that cannot be filled locally. Host families provide a clean bed and a few meals to these musicians. Great friendships have resulted from the relationships developed between ONNY musicians and host families. If you are willing to share North Country hospitality with our out-of-town musicians, please contact the Executive Director.

Preparing Snacks and Refreshments

The easiest way to make musicians happy is to feed them! The Hospitality volunteers set up snacks and refreshments for the orchestra during rehearsal breaks and concert intermission. Food and drinks are purchased (charged to ONNY’s account), taken to the Crane School of Music Green Room, and set out. After the break, clean-up is necessary. The whole project takes about two hours.

Musicians and staff are very grateful for this kindness, something not many orchestras do. If you are interested in helping with hospitality, even for two or three concerts, please contact the Executive Director.

Helping with Filing, Organizing, Labeling, Mailings, etc.

There are many clerical tasks which volunteers could do that would free up the Executive Director’s time allowing for more grant writing and fundraising. Many of these tasks can be accomplished from home and done at the convenience of the volunteer. If you would like to help with general office work, please contact the Executive Director.