Volunteering at CMJ

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It says here that there are volunteer positions at CMJ. Has anyone done this in past years? Is it worth it (eg you get a pass or get into some cool events for free or get to work with artists) or do you get stuck with shit jobs for no reward? I'm thinking probably the latter but I thought I'd what the ILM massive knows.

― Comme personne (common_person), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:30 (twenty-one years ago)

last year, my gf did that so she could get in free to a bunch of things, and it worked out pretty great for her.

― peter smith (plsmith), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 19:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I recommend it. I volunteered the year before last. One evening of work stuffing goodie bags with stickers 'n' CDs (in the company of other music fanatics), then a couple mornings doing simple tasks like directing people to the correct rooms, filling water pitchers, etc. Well worth it, especially if you have panels you want to attend. The rewards highly outweigh the investment.

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 20:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Did you get to choose your hours? I'd have to work this around my 9-5 job.

― Comme personne (common_person), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 20:07 (twenty-one years ago)

I was a "full-time freelancer" at the time, so I didn't have that to contend with ... I doubt you'd be able to swing solely evenings, and if you did, you'd miss the shows anyway. There is some flexibility but I'm not sure how much. Ingratiate yourself to the volunteer coordinator (is it Shonali again this year?). Good luck!

― Joseph McCombs (Joseph McCombs), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 20:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Thanks! I'll have to think about whether I want to do this for the panels. There's a few that look interesting, like

Video Gamesmanship
Composing and licensing music for video games is different from composing and licensing in other mediums. A panel of game makers, publishers and composers explain the steps.

and

Black Sheep: Surviving as the Only Loud Rock Dude/Chick at the Station
How does a station’s metalhead minority navigate its relationships with station co-workers, school administrators, and listeners to be a positive influence in the community and a positive relection on the music.

I may just go to shows. My friend will have a pass as his band is playing. Will this have any effect on his ability to get into shows vs. mine?

― Comme personne (common_person), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 20:29 (twenty-one years ago)

My friend will have a pass as his band is playing. Will this have any effect on his ability to get into shows vs. mine?

well obviously it will mean you'll have to pay and he won't.

but in general, except for a couple of huge special events that are either very sold out or are badge-holders-only, my experience has been that i get into cmj shows much faster and easier paying cash than do the people who are getting in for free but often have to wait in some slow-moving, or no-moving, lines. the clubs are much, much happier to see you, the paying customer, than your friend the card-carrying freeloader.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Tuesday, 21 September 2004 20:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I volunteered a couple of times. It was a lot of fun and definitely worth the time. I would say part of the fun of CMJ is waiting in lines for over-hyped gigs at Roseland. Actually, no I wouldn't but you get the idea.

― mcd (mcd), Wednesday, 22 September 2004 12:21 (twenty-one years ago)

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