Volunteer Information

The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival is widely known as one of the best jazz festivals in North America, thanks in large part to the spirit, dedication and hard work of the volunteers from the greater Burlington area and all over Vermont who help make the festival happen.

Working all aspects of the event, volunteers help create a safe, clean and enjoyable week-long celebration of jazz.

This year we are accepting volunteers for a variety of different crews:

Merchandise: Volunteers will work directly under the merchandise manager selling Festival and Artists’ goods at all festival venues and providing general festival information.
Access: Volunteers will be taking tickets, wrist-banding, assisting patrons with accessibility issues and parking, providing general site-specific information and support.
Production: Volunteers work directly with technical director and stage managers to set up and break down stages and sites. This crew involves a good amount of physical activity. Benefits of working on the production crew are working before and after performances and not during.
Administration: Work directly with lovely Discover Jazz staff, running errands, providing office support, answering phones and providing general Festival information to Artists/Agents and staff.
Runners: Willing, able–bodied humans who thrive on the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the Festival and ready to take on whatever we throw you with a smile.

Basic Volunteer Program Information:

ALL volunteers, whether new or returning, must submit a written application EACH year. Make sure your crew preferences are on your application and we will do our best!
You must be able to work a minimum of two (2) four to six hour shifts during festival week. We need volunteers from Friday June 1st through Sunday evening, June 10th.
Minimum age to volunteer for the festival is 16. Should you have special concerns, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteers will be assigned to specific crews and times by the volunteer coordinator. Upon receipt of your completed application, you will be contacted by the volunteer coordinator and registered for one of two orientation sessions.
EVERY VOLUNTEER MUST ATTEND AN ORIENTATION SESSION IN BURLINGTON. Volunteer orientation will take place one week before the festival.

Be aware of your own time limitations. We want your choice about volunteering at Discover Jazz to be the right one for you. If for some reason you are unable to fulfill your volunteer commitment, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator immediately.

Volunteer placement priority is extended to returning volunteers in good standing, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Priority is next extended to those who apply early, with flexible time schedules.

Please note, with the exception of limited merchandise sales positions, there are no volunteer openings at the Flynn MainStage.

Volunteer Appreciation Package:

In return for satisfactory service at Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival, volunteers receive:

Free volunteer t-shirt to be worn while working.
Free meal tickets to Nectar’s Restaurant during mealtimes (for volunteers only).
Entrance to select shows.*
Lots of appreciation from the community and staff, and satisfaction for a job well done!

* If your volunteer shift does not coincide with a performance, you may receive a voucher good for entrance to another performance during the festival. In addition, any volunteer who completes 16 hours of service may receive one ticket to a select performance.

To maintain satisfactory volunteer status, volunteers must:

Treat patrons, staff and other volunteers courteously at all times.
Check in 10 minutes before the start of your shift.
Arrive for your assigned shift on time and stay till scheduled, or released.
Wear your volunteer shirt while on duty.
NOT use alcohol and/or controlled or illegal substances prior to, or during volunteer duty.

Failure to comply with above requirements may result in revocation of volunteer status and festival privileges.

Still want in?

Get an application one of four ways:

Print the Volunteer Application Form
Stop by the office at 187 St. Paul Street, Suite One, Burlington VT
Email lisaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@discoverjazz.com
Call 802.863.7992 to request a copy

Then Mail it in or Drop it Off

All potential volunteers, particularly new folks, are encouraged to drop off their application in person at the office, and meet with the Volunteer Coordinator or one of the staff.

Use one form per person, and fill out all information requested. If you wish to work with a friend/spouse, explain on the back of the application. We'll do our best to accommodate your request.

Follow Up:

Volunteer applications are due by May 13. Please keep in mind that while we do our best, we simply cannot accommodate everyone who submits a volunteer application, so get your application in early, and prepare to be flexible!

Got Questions?

If you have additional questions, e-mail them to Lisa Giordano, Volunteer Coordinator, lisaREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@discoverjazz.com

You can also call the Jazz Office with your volunteer questions, at 802.863.7992 or drop us a note:

Burlington Discover Jazz Festival Volunteer Program: 187 St. Paul Street, Suite One, Burlington, VT 05401

Thank you again for your continued support of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, we look forward to working with you!