The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival gives University of Idaho students and community members a chance to volunteer and be a part of a fun and positive experience, said Erin Turner, volunteer program coordinator for the festival.
“Volunteering is one the most key elements of the festival,” she said.
They depend on more than 500 volunteers every year to help make the festival a success, which includes making all of the sessions and workshops flow smoothly and run on time, Turner said.
She said to help get volunteers, email blasts are sent out, people table at the Idaho Commons and Student Union Building and flyers are placed throughout the community.
“Most of the time it is pretty simple to get volunteers,” Turner said.
Britnee Packwood, the drive team coordinator for the jazz festival, said volunteering was a great experience, and she enjoys being an intern even more.
“It is very hands on and exciting,” she said. “The staff is great and the experience is really educational.”
Some of the traits Packwood gleaned from volunteering are leadership and management skills.
“It builds foundation skills that you are going to need on any job,” she said. “Whatever you want to get out of the experience, you can.”
She said it is also great to learn how to recruit people and see what motivates people to volunteer every year.
Turner said sometimes they might still be in need of many volunteers closer to the concerts, but then right before festival they get a rush of people who are interested in getting free festival tickets.
“We usually end up with more than we need,” she said.
Free tickets to an evening concert are not the only benefits of volunteering at the festival.
Turner said the free ticket is earned after working four hours, but volunteers can also be recognized in the program at the Three Cheers Party the festival team puts on after the festival.
Also, if a person volunteers on the Drive Team, they might have the opportunity to drive around some of the artists who will be performing at the festival, she said.
Packwood said being able to meet and talk with the artists is a wonderful part of being on the drive team.
“They have amazing experiences that they are willing to share with you,” she said.
Becoming a volunteer is simple, Turner said. People can stop by any of the tabling booths and sign up, email her or sign up for slots at the jazz festival website.
Most volunteers only require a simple orientation that is about an hour long and covers the basics of what is expected, she said. However, for site and stage managers an additional two hour training session is required.
Usually, site and stage managers have had some experience working with the festival, Turner said, though they are always excited for new volunteers.
Many of the volunteers that are attracted to the Jazz Festival are people who have volunteered before, and they come back because they enjoyed the experience so much.
“Most of the feedback from volunteering is positive,” Turner said. “If there is any negative feedback, it is minimal and we try to fix it for the next year.”
Packwood said planning and being a part of the Jazz Festival is an amazing experience, especially now that she can experience the planning and then see the event take place.
The whole event is a collaborative effort between the staff, artists and people from the community and university, Packwood said.
“Without the collaboration the festival would not happen,” she said. “And without volunteers it for sure would not happen.”
This year the festival is from Feb. 20-23 and will feature artists including Kevin Kanner, Fred Hersch and Regina Carter.
“Come volunteer for the jazz fest,” Turner said. “It’s great.”
Allison Griffith can be reached at [email protected]