Music Business

Welcome to another season of THSO ushering. This is not only a great fund-raiser for MIA/MEISA, it also provides a valuable opportunity to serve our greater university and community constituency. All the more reasons, therefore, why all of us need to ensure this activity is done with professionalism and efficiency.

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY SO THAT YOU WILL FULLY AND CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS ACTIVITY.

Let’s have a great THSO ushering year!!

THSO CONCERT/USHER SCHEDULE

Symphony in the Park
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Fairbanks Park
Performance begins: 5:30 p.m.
Ushers to report: by 4:30 p.m.

Gala 80th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Tilson Auditorium
Performance begins: 7:30 p.m.
Ushers to report: by 6:15 p.m.

A Taste of Vienna
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Tilson Auditorium
Performance begins: 7:30 p.m.
Ushers to report: by 6:15 p.m.

A Holiday Celebration (12 ushers for this one)
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Tilson Auditorium
Performance begins: 7:30 p.m.
Ushers to report: by 6:15 p.m.

Enchanted Evening
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Tilson Auditorium
Performance begins: 7:30 p.m.
Ushers to report: by 6:15 p.m.

America: Dare to Dream (12 ushers for this one)
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Hulman Center
Performance begins: 7:30
Ushers to report: 6:00

USHERING DETAILS

Number of ushers
MIA will provide ten (10) ushers for each of the 2006-2007 season THSO concerts except for the THSO Holiday Celebration concert on December 2, 2006 and the America: Dare to Dream concert on April 21, 2007, which will require twelve (12) ushers.

Dress for ushers
For women:  Black dresses, mid-length; no spaghetti straps or off-the-shoulder dresses
                     No high heels; black shoes must be such that you can walk easily and quickly to provide assistance to patrons.

For men: Black tuxedoes
               Black tie
               Black socks
               Black shoes

Commitment
Once you have volunteered or otherwise been designated as an usher for a particular concert, it is critical that you take responsibility for all details about the concert: Be Ready, Be Prepared, Be There.

Length of responsibility for each concert
As noted on the concert schedule, you’ll see reporting times for each concert; the reporting times reflect a time 30 minutes before the concert hall’s doors open to the public. It is critical that ushers report as indicated so that the venue staff can review pertinent details for the concert and assign ushers to their respective locations in the hall. Ushers will remain for the entire concert; at intermission, they will assist patrons as needed. At the conclusion of the concert, ushers will assist patrons as needed, until dismissed by Judy Price, Event Services Manager.

Training session
In order to make sure that everyone has the proper information about evacuation responsibilities and other issues relevant to serving THSO patrons, it will be necessary for the group to be trained. Details regarding date and time for this session are currently being worked out.   

Compensation
For each THSO concert, MIA will be compensated in the amount of sixty ($75) dollars.

USHER PROCEDURES FOR EACH EVENT:

* Volunteers will be identified at MIA bi-weekly meetings; if there are not enough volunteers, ushers will be assigned.
* At the time the volunteering/assignment is made, the usher needs to make a note in his/her personal calendar as to the time and date of the ushering commitment.
* On the Friday before each THSO concert, ushers must check in with Dr. Piechocinski (x3008) for any last minute instructions and to ensure that the usher has remembered the commitment; this check in can be done in-person or by telephone.
* Check-in must be accomplished no later than 3:00 p.m.     
* Ushers will arrive at Tilson Auditorium no later than the time designated for each particular concert;
* Ushers must arrive in designated attire; 
* Ushers must check in with Event Services Manager Judy Price who will assign THSO badges, penlights;
Ms. Price will give last minute instructions to the entire usher corps and will then assign usher locations.
*Once the concert has begun, ushers are to be seated inside the auditorium; they are to stay alert and vigilant as to audience needs, especially in the case of emergencies.
*At intermission, ushers are to take their assigned posts and assist patrons as necessary. Ushers must be well-versed as to the location of all stairs, elevators, problematic locations, and restrooms in the auditorium.
* Ushers are to be friendly and receptive to patrons; if difficulty arises as to customer service, tickets, or other issues involving patron satisfaction, Judy Price should be immediately contacted for resolution.
* After intermission, ushers are to once again take seats inside the auditorium.
* At the conclusion of the performance, ushers should remain by their posts in order to assist patrons exiting the facility. Especially in inclement weather, ushers should be prepared to assist the orderly and safe exit of patrons, particularly around the elevator area.
* Ushers are to stay at the auditorium until dismissed by Judy Price; ushers will then turn in their THSO badges and penlights. Make sure you name is indicated for check in and check out on Ms. Price’s usherlist as this will be used to determine whether or not you have completely fulfilled your responsibilities as an usher and have, therefore, earned your required credit for volunteer involvement with MIA.
* Ushers will also receive punch credit for attendance at the THSO concert(s) for which they usher.