From concerts to gardening days, Field Day, and the annual Gala, volunteers help make the magic of CMC possible. Whether it’s greeting guests, helping with the auction, or setting up for a concert, every volunteer plays a role in connecting people through music.
For volunteer John Jones, being part of CMC has been a rewarding way to connect with neighbors and make a difference through music. “I was looking for an opportunity to be more involved with the local community, an opportunity to meet my neighbors, and as someone with a passion for music and music education, was also looking to find myself around other learners, musicians, and music enjoyers,” he says. “I found CMC to be the perfect opportunity that combined all of that so I reached out.”
John’s favorite experience so far was helping at CMC’s Field Day. “It was awesome getting to hear all the music flowing out of the halls all afternoon, while getting to meet and welcome in all of the students, families, donors, etc. I was also stationed right next to the performances happening in the garden outside and getting to hear that all day was great.”
Seeing families and students enjoy the events he supports makes every effort worthwhile. “It feels great seeing that,” he shares. “It reminds me that CMC is doing a great job at what they’re doing which is connecting people, the community, through music. I’m getting to see students and families walk in with big smiles on their faces and then leave going ‘That was great!’”
For John, being part of CMC means belonging to something larger than himself. “Getting to be in any space where people are all coming together for a shared interest is always going to bring about some sense of belonging and I think that’s what I enjoy the most,” he reflects. “I feel fortunate that the CMC staff and community have welcomed me in and allowed me to be a part of it all.”
John has simple advice for anyone thinking about signing up as a volunteer: “If you have an interest in music, enjoy meeting new people, or just want to show support for your community, please come volunteer. Everyone is great and easy to work with and it’s pretty chill. It’s been almost a year of me working with CMC now and I’ve had nothing less than a great time.”
If you’re interested in becoming a CMC volunteer, there are many ways to get involved! We often need support at concerts, Open Houses, and fundraisers—helping with welcoming/check-in, ushering, raffle ticket sales, set-up, and more. Volunteers also assist with our annual auction, helping to identify potential auction participants and contributors for the CMC Spring Gala. We also occasionally have office projects like envelope stuffing and stamping for fundraising mailings, as well as seasonal courtyard gardening days at the Mission Branch. And for those with photography or videography experience, we welcome help documenting classes and events throughout the year.
To get started, please fill out our Volunteer Form to share your info, experience, and availability. We’ll add you to our volunteer contact list and reach out when opportunities come up—especially with several big events planned for early next year and potential additional concerts in December.