Youth Volunteers

Get ready to make some noise.

During BRPM’s Summer Sessions, Youth Volunteers ages 16 - 18 serve as Assistant Instrument Instructors, form their own band, support BRPM staff and volunteers, attend workshops and panels, and work as a team to create their own workshop. Most importantly, they serve as role models and mentors for the youth participants.

Application Details

2024 SESSIONS

School Vacation Session:

April 16 - April 20, 2024

Showcase on April 21st

Session I:
July 15-20, 2024

Showcase on July 21
Session II:
August 12-17, 2024

Showcase on August 18th


BRPM Summer Sessions and orientation will be held at

The Record Co., 960 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, MA 02118.

This is a role that requires maturity and commitment: you must be able to work with your peers, and receive guidance and take direction from staff and adult volunteers. 

A teenager dressed in black, playing a bass guitar onstage.

While most of our Youth Volunteers have previously attended BRPM for two or more summers, newcomers are welcome to apply. We will schedule a phone interview and ask you to provide a reference. 

There are limited spaces for Youth Volunteers, so we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. We review applications to foster fairness and diversity rather than simply admitting applicants on a first come, first served basis. You may only volunteer for one Summer Session, but you are welcome to apply to attend as a participant for one session and volunteer for the other. (Due to capacity limitations and in order to provide slots for other applicants, acceptance as a participant is not guaranteed.)

At the end of your volunteer session, we will provide you with a letter of recommendation and confirmation of your volunteer hours.

For more information, please contact us

What Youth Volunteers Do

  • An adult sitting on a wooden floor in a circle with several children, all holding drumsticks for a percussion class, with several drum sets in the background.

    Assistant Instrument Instructors

    Share your musical knowledge! Youth Volunteers work with adult Instrument Instructors on collaborative large-group teaching as well as small-group sessions (generally 3 to 5 youths per Instructor). They also learn how to set up instrument and band practice spaces, maintain gear, and move equipment safely and efficiently. Youth Volunteers check in with their Instrument Instructors every morning upon arrival.

  • A teenage girl with face paint at a drum set singing into a microphone.

    Youth Volunteer Band

    Youth Volunteers don’t receive instrument instruction, but they do form their own BRPM Youth Volunteer Band. This inspiring band plays the BRPM theme song at each afternoon assembly, writes a song and practices at the end of each day, is the opening act at the final Saturday “Showcase” performance, and has the opportunity to record their song.

  • A group of teenage girls in a classrooom with an instructor, the students wearing matching white t-shirts and presenting to their peers.

    Special Programming & Projects

    Throughout the week, the Youth Volunteer Group attends a variety of dedicated workshops and panels on a variety of topics and takes a deeper dive into supporting BRPM program planning.

    The Youth Volunteer Group also works together to create an original workshop for youth participants ages 11 and 12 that will run twice on Thursday afternoon. This requires planning, collaboration, and a willingness to share your knowledge and experience.

  • Four girls leaping into the air and smiling for the camera in the middle of a city street.

    More Fun Stuff!

    Youth Volunteers are our version of cool counselors, and help with a variety of activities such as punk rock aerobics, skits and songs, Showcase Dress Rehearsal assistance, greeting and checking youth in/out, and other tasks that help everyone have a great day at BRPM!

  • A teenage girl wearing a white shirt with the band name "Click Bait", playing an electric guitar onstage with a blue background.

    Time Requirements

    Prior to the week’s session, Youth Volunteers help design the curriculum for their assigned instrument group. BRPM facilitates communication between our Instrument Instructors and Youth Volunteers via email as well as in-person meetings leading up to the session; additionally, we have a mandatory Instrument Instructor Orientation in June.

EXAMPLE Youth Volunteer Session Schedule

Sunday

  • Mandatory Volunteer Orientation, 12:00-3:30pm

Monday

  • Instrument Sessions  8:00am-12:00pm

  • Workshops and working time  12:00-5:00pm

  • Play BRPM theme song at Afternoon Assembly  5:00-5:30pm

  • Band Practice 5:30-6:30pm

Tuesday-Friday

  • Instrument Sessions  8:00-11:30am

  • Workshops and working time  12:00-5:00pm

  • Play BRPM theme song at Afternoon Assembly  5:00-5:30pm

  • Band Loud Practice  5:30-6:30pm

Saturday

  • BRPM Showcase Performance

  • Youth Volunteers must arrive by 11:00am

  • Showcase  1:00-3:30pm

Sunday

  • Youth Volunteer Band recording session  11:00am-3:30pm