Volunteer for the 2025 HHIPC!

The 2025 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, will be held March 10- 17, 2025, and our volunteers will again play an integral part in producing a very successful event. The Competition will include four rounds of performances for 20 pianists ages 18-30. There will be no elimination during the first two rounds of short recitals at St. Luke’s Anglican Church.  At the end of Round II, the jury will select 6 semi-finalists, each of whom will perform a longer recital program on Saturday, March 15 at First Presbyterian Church.  The jury then selects 3 finalists, each of whom will play a full piano concerto with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and Maestro John Morris Russell during Round IV (Finals) on Monday evening, March 17.

 

We need your help!  After reading the general requirements and descriptions below, please click HERE to sign up to volunteer!

General Requirements:

Dress:

  • Women – black and white, or all black, slacks, dresses or skirts
  • Men – Black or blue blazer with dark slacks, dark shoes and a light-colored shirt. Neck ties are optional.

Other:

  • You will need to have a watch or other time-keeping device
  • Please go to the Volunteer Staff Table to sign in and pick up your name tag.
  • At the end of your shift, please return your name tag to this table.
  • You must be physically able to stand, walk stairs and aisles
  • Doors open ½ hour before the performance. Always arrive 1 hour prior to sign in and reach your assigned spots before doors open.
  • The start times listed on the Sign up registration are the times for your arrival.
  • N.B. Please read the Code of Ethics for volunteers.

 Volunteer Descriptions

Competitor Greeter/Guide:

This position comprises three tasks and you will stay with the competitor from start to finish:

  • Greet each competitor at the lobby door and escort the competitor to the warm-up room and wait until the warm-up is complete.
  • Escort the competitor from the warm-up room to the backstage/waiting area.
  • Direct the competitor on stage. At the conclusion of the performance, escort the competitor to the lobby to meet their host family.

There will be 3 volunteers assigned to this position for each session.  Please note the following:

  • Chairs will be available outside of the warm-up room.
  • The time allowed in the warm-up room is equal to the performance time each round.
  • The warmup piano matches the one on stage.
  • Point out that a restroom is adjacent to the warm-up room.
  • Inform the Competitor that you will alert them five minutes before the scheduled performance.
  • While waiting outside of the warm-up room insure that the Competitor is not disturbed.
  • You will be given a round card which contains the information for each competitor during your shift.

Ushers/Lead Usher:

The Lead Usher functions as an usher but is responsible for insuring ushers have daily performance cards and programs, coordinates the ushering and escorts the Judges before and after the sessions and during intermission

Prior to the performance

  • This position is stationed at the doors entering the performance hall.
  • Greet each patron with a smile.
  • Request to see their ticket.
  • Offer a program and the day’s performance card.
  • Escort them to their seats.
  • Point out directions to the restrooms and tell them they will be accessible only during intermission and before and after each session.

During the Performance

  • You will be seated inside the performance hall
  • Your job is to ensure that all patrons are seated and quiet before the competitors take the stage.
  • Photographs are not permitted.
  • Consuming food and drink are not permitted.
  • Hard candy or cough drops are permitted.
  • Hard candy will be available in the lobby. Keep some candy on hand to offer patrons who are coughing.
  • Be aware of the exits in the event there is an emergency during the performance.

Door Greeter:  

  • Your position is in the Center lobby adjacent to the front doors, Each session will have two greeters.
  • Please be aware of late arrivals and assist them as needed. Greet patrons and make sure that they can find the ticket sales desk and restrooms. CD’s and other IPC merchandise are sold during the 20 minute intermission and after the session only. Tickets for the Finals are also available at the ticket sales desk.
  • For Rounds I, II and III (which are all open seating), we do have reserved sections for members of 88 Keys Society and Pay for a Piper programs, as well as HHIPC sponsors, so we will need your help directing those patrons to those special seating areas.  (For the Round IV finals, all seats are ticketed and reserved in advance.)
  • Please be on time and plan to stay your entire shift

Ticket / Merchandise Sales:

Volunteers will sell tickets and merchandise before, after and during intermission of all rounds.

  • Cash or credit cards will be accepted for daily admissions and all-round passes. Also, small merchandise items will be available.
  • Volunteers must become familiar with the Square credit card processing system and attend a short training session before which will be offered one-two weeks prior to the competition
  • Please note the following for the best customer service:
  • Arrive on time for your shift as patrons will arrive early to purchase tickets.
  • You or your back up must remain at the ticket desk at all times.
  • Transactions must be handled quickly and accurately so patrons are not delayed

Judges Room Monitor

  • Arrange coffee, snacks, bottles of water for judges.
  • Monitor the room to assure the judges are not disturbed while in the room, and that their personal items are secure when they are in the competition room

Production and Set up

 This position helps with all aspects of setting up for the competition including:

  • Decorating the stage
  • Setting up tables and chairs for merchandise and ticket sales
  • Posting signage
  • Taking down set up materials as needed.

Volunteer Check in:

  • Greet Volunteers upon arrival
  • Assign each to their spots
  • Hand out volunteer name cards
  • Monitor Volunteer room and lobby

Please note that some of these positions may already be filled, but we still need your help!  After reading the general requirements and descriptions above, please click HERE  to sign up to volunteer!