Beginner's Guide

What should I wear? We’ll start off by saying, you can wear anything (almost) that you like when you come to a symphony concert. For those who enjoy getting spiffed up, a symphony concert is a great occasion to feel a bit fancy. However, if you feel more comfortable on the casual side, you won’t feel out of place. Most concert-goers dress in a range from business casual to cocktail attire. Formal dress such as evening gowns and tuxedos are generally only worn to special events like our annual Gala concert.
What is classical music? For general purposes, classical music is typically used to describe art music produced or rooted in the traditions of Western music, including both liturgical (religious) and secular music from roughly the 11th century to the present day. Sub-categories of classical music include the Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Modern eras. The term ‘classical music’ actually did not appear until the early 19^th century.
How early should I arrive? Doors to the lobby of the Meyerhoff generally open 75 minutes prior to the concert start time. Doors to the lobby of Strathmore generally open one hour prior to the concert start time. You can arrive early and enjoy a drink or small bite to eat, and relax in our lobby prior to the show. Or, you can also head to one of many exciting restaurants, cafes or bars in the area. We recommend arriving no later than 20 minutes before a show start time to ensure getting to your seat before the downbeat. Once the first piece begins, you will need to wait until a break to be let in so we recommend not cutting it too close!
What if I arrive late? In order not to disturb other audience members who have already begun listening to the music, late seating breaks will take place after the first piece on the program or at intermission. If you arrive after the concert begins, you will be asked to wait outside of the hall doors in the lobby until a break in the program occurs.
Can I use my cell phone? For the consideration of the musicians and your fellow audience members, please turn off your phone or other mobile devices during the performance. With all of modern life’s constant exposure to media and technology, think of this as a fun opportunity to shut off your phone for an hour at a time and live in the moment. Photography and video are not allowed during a performance, but taking pictures before and after the performance is strongly encouraged!
Do I need to know any information about the music or composers before coming? You do not need to know any background information on the performers, composers or pieces ahead of time. Once you arrive, you will be given a program which gives notes on the elements of the concert. That being said, many people find that they are able to enjoy a performance in a deeper way with greater background knowledge on the program. If you would like to know more about a piece before attending a concert, you can check out the program notes in the current issue of Overture Magazine.
When should I clap? This can be a bit of a tricky question. On the one hand, we want to encourage everyone to show their enjoyment and appreciation whenever the moment strikes. On the other hand, there are certain pieces of music that are meant to be uninterrupted to display the nuance and full-effect of the music.

It is traditional to hold applause until the end of each piece on the program. This can be a bit confusing, because some pieces contain several smaller sections, called movements, which often have a pause between them, sometimes sounding like the end of the piece. Our advice is, if you are not sure when to clap, don’t be a hero…read the room and follow the crowd to avoid any awkward applause moments.
How long is the concert? Traditional performances last around 2 hours including a 15 minute intermission about halfway through. The BSO also offers an Off the Cuff series, which offers a more informal and paired down version of the traditional concert. Off the Cuff performances usually last around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
What is a concertmaster? In an orchestra, the concertmaster is the leader of the first violin section. There are other section leaders within the various string sections, but they are all lead by the concertmaster. Any violin solo in an orchestral work is played by the concertmaster (except in the case of a concerto, in which case a guest soloist usually plays). The concertmaster sits to the conductor’s left, closest to the audience, in what is called the ”first chair” or ”first stand.” He or she makes decisions regarding bowing and other technical details of violin playing for the violins, and sometimes all of the string players. The concertmaster leads the orchestra in tuning before concerts and rehearsals.
What is the role of the conductor? In the words of Marin Alsop: 'I think that maybe people don’t really understand the role of the conductor. What does a conductor really do? It’s a little bit like being a director. What I do is study the creator’s words or the composer’s notes and I try to become the voice of the creator. Then I bring his or her work to life through the musicians. The analogy is sort of like actors bringing words to life. That’s really the basic role of the conductor: to be the messenger and the advocate for the composer, and to try to get that narrative across to the audience. 'The goal for me is to always try to inspire and encourage people, and create the environment for musicians to be the best they can be. So it’s sort of like part coach, part captain. A lot of it is of course technical, because I’m speaking to them through gesture. But it’s a far more complex role than most people would just see by sitting there watching someone move their arms.'
How is the orchestra set-up?

BSO Prelude with composer Joel Thompson