Mark Shearer started volunteering at the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest 1994. Twenty-one years later he is the Volunteer Coordinator for the entire 10 day festival. Mark says it all started the year he and his wife spent about $800 on tickets the Berks Jazz Fest.

He got the invitation to volunteer at the Jazz Fest. He and his wife volunteered for 5 or 6 shows. They loved it and each year they added more shows to their volunteer list. Before you knew it Mark and his wife each became a house captain.

The volunteer force is often referenced as an army and Mark is quick to correct that and say it is a ‘Family’ of volunteers. He says volunteers can select the shows where they want to volunteer. The only mandate is one volunteer meeting and 3 shows. So what keeps him at the table in such a large and time consuming capacity? It is the people … not only the family of volunteers but the artists and the concert attendees as well.

From the moment they walk in the door to the final curtain, there is a common goal. Make sure everyone has a good time! Tune in and find out how you can join the volunteer family.