What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tanglewood Representative/ Guide position at Boston Symphony Orchestra?
Summary/Objective
Job Description
About Tanglewood
In 1940, the Berkshire Music Center (now the Tanglewood Music Center) began its operations. Home to the famous Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the site of one of the world’s best-known music festivals, Tanglewood hosts the Festival of Contemporary Music, along with many other events including concerts of various genres from jazz to pop. Today, Tanglewood annually draws over 350,000 visitors. Each season offers not only a vast quantity of music, but also a vast range of musical forms and styles, all of it presented with a regard for artistic excellence that makes the festival unique.
About the Role
The BSO has a unique summer opportunity for college students or early-career professionals to gain experience in arts administration and non-profit management while undertaking a key public relations and customer service role at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA. In this highly visible role, you will interact with all levels of staff across a variety of departments and members of the public, gaining valuable knowledge and experience while assisting with the guest experience, providing administrative support and assisting with venue access.
Job Responsibilities
- Act as the first point of contact for patrons visiting Tanglewood. Interact with patrons in person and over the phone, providing information and assistance, and helping to ensure a positive experience for all guests. You will meet and greet the public, help orient them to the grounds and offer guidance to all public activities at Tanglewood, handle a large volume of customer service calls and face-to-face interactions, as well as actively participate in information outreach toward the organization's patrons.
- Daily customer service duties include but are not limited to: public information and concert information; promotion of Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and Popular Artist events; acting as a customer service interface between the public, the box office, Tanglewood Music Center, and marketing and press departments.
- Staff backstage areas at performance venues – monitor access to restricted areas during all concerts and rehearsals. Manage the backstage lists for BSO concerts and recitals and help to ensure the privacy of guest artists.
- Position requires front-line customer service support for both the organization and its patrons at Tanglewood. Office shifts assisting various executives at the BSO may be scheduled according to departmental needs.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to interact with patrons and artists with warmth and enthusiasm. Patience and poise under pressure are essential.
- Note: A few guides may also assist the Tanglewood Press Office with duties including press ticketing, concert photography distribution, media monitoring, and facilitating on-campus press visits. If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please include a paragraph in your cover letter expressing your interest and describing your writing background and any other relevant experience.
Required Education and Experience
Qualifications:
- One plus years’ experience in a customer service or public-facing office or internship role (this can include volunteer or college positions).
- Some knowledge of music or the music business (need not be restricted to classical genre), and/or knowledge of the local area.
- Specific interest in arts administration or non-profit management.
- Strong attention to detail, customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to exercise judgment, diplomacy and maintain highly confidential information.
- Collaborative team player with excellent time and project management skills.
- Professional demeanor.
- Work schedule requires regular weekend and evening work throughout the summer, in line with the overall performance schedule.
Dates of employment: June 23 through late August.
The BSO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
