Become A Volunteer
Volunteer at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and be part of a team supporting your local community
As part of the mission of Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF), we are committed to building meaningful and lasting connections with our local communities. Through our Artistic, Education and Community programmes, we strive to create memorable and inspiring experiences that enrich the cultural life of the region.
At the heart of this work is our Volunteer Programme; an essential and valued part of the festival’s fabric. We are proud of the dedication, generosity and spirit that our volunteers bring each year, and we are deeply grateful for the role they play in shaping the festival experience.
“In my three years of volunteering with Blackwater Valley Opera Festival, I have consistently looked forward to heading up to the castle grounds on those glorious summer evenings to greet, usher and assist guests, relishing in the buoyant atmosphere of the whole event. The joy for me has been in the diversity of the tasks on hand, be it checking tickets, assisting restaurant and bar staff, or running to the auditorium marquee armed with umbrellas in the event of a sudden shower! Being a volunteer at Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has granted me huge experience and skills that have been incredibly useful in seeking further part-time work, all the while working as a valued member of a supportive and welcoming team. Furthermore, I am truly grateful for the exposure to world-class musical talent that this experience has brought me, having sat in on operas and recitals in rehearsal or performance that I may never have come into contact with otherwise.”
BVOF is committed to providing a rewarding and enjoyable volunteering experience. We aim to support and encourage all volunteers through a strong sense of community, clear guidance, and a positive working environment.
We are looking for volunteers who…
- Are over 16 years old
- Strive for excellence in the delivery of festival events
- Help create welcoming, inclusive and inspiring experiences for our audiences
- Bring new skills, ideas and perspectives to the festival
- Work collaboratively as part of a supportive and engaged team
- Act as ambassadors for the festival within the local community
- Grow alongside us as we continue to develop as Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival
And have the following skills:
- Strong audience communication
- Confident crowd management
- Accessibility awareness support
- High situational awareness
- Flexible responsive approach
- Basic health safety awareness
- Reliable and punctual
- Proactive issue escalation
Benefits of volunteering with us…
- Satisfaction knowing that you are contributing to the cultural life of the local region and Ireland
- The appreciation of more than 5,000 visitors to the opera and recitals.
- A beautiful BVOF-branded festival fleece for you to keep.
- Learn about:
- looking after the general public
- what happens behind the scenes at a big public event
- what happens behind the scenes at the opera
- Worthwhile experiences and valuable skill sets to add to your C.V.
- Potential to receive BVOF’s ‘Volunteer of the Year Award’ in recognition of the volunteer who has been outstanding in their duties and support throughout the previous year’s festival.
- Invitation to the Closing Night Company Party on the final night of the Festival.
Areas where we need your help include:
Front of House
Front of House are setting up the seating area. They direct people to the proper side of the seating area and to their seats. Front of House monitor the seating area before, during and after the opera.
Driver
Drivers assist in transportation of all kinds. Drivers are required for a rota for dates between 25th May and 6th June 2022.
Volunteers must have the appropriate driving licence and the appropriate skills to drive festival vehicles.
Patron Support
The Patron Support are active in the gardens of Lismore Castle during the days of the performances. They will check tickets at the entrance, clean up the garden before the opera starts, during and after the interval, provide assistance to people with a handicap, collecting items that can’t be brought in to the opera (glasses and plates) and perform other light tasks.
