Symphony Etiquette

Thank you to the Fort Wayne Philharmonic for this informative Q&A regarding the etiquette of attending a concert. We in Fort Wayne, are so privilaged to have such a treasure in our community. If you have never attended a concert, but would like to do so, reading the info that follows can answer any questions you may and increase your comfort level in attending.


What should I wear?
Attending a Philharmonic
concert is always a special
occasion, so many patrons
often enjoy dressing up.
However, it is entirely up to you – whatever makes you comfortable.

Where do I park?
Embassy Theatre Concerts
There are two parking
garages available near the
Embassy. The Civic Center parking garage is located across from the Downtown Hilton, with entrances on Calhoun, Clinton, and Jefferson. The Parkview Field parking garage is located on the corner of Harrison and Douglas, with entrances on each street. Each garage charges a small parking fee on concert nights.

Arts United Center
There is paid parking in the lot between the AUC and the Museum. Free parking is available in the parking garage on Barr and Main. For more downtown parking information, visit
www.parkitfortwayne.com

Auer Performance Hall
Turn left at the light on
Crescent into the IPFW campus. Turn right onto the roundabout then the first right again. Look for the signs that will lead you to the Rhinehart Music Center. Parking is available in lots 14 and 11. Allow extra time to look for parking since they are doing construction there and there is also some parking that is strictly restricted to faculty.

What if I’m unable to attend a concert once I’ve purchased my ticket?
We have a no refund policy on tickets. However, subscribers can take advantage of our “No Risk” policy. If a subscriber is unable to use their ticket, they can turn it in up to four hours before the concert start time to receive a tax credit, or return the ticket up to three days after a concert to receive an online credit that can be used towards other ticket purchases. Please contact the box office as soon as possible if you know you will be unable to use your ticket

What if I lose my tickets?
Simply call the Box Office.
We can reprint tickets for you. We will have them waiting at Will Call. If you realize you forgot your tickets once you arrive, we can look up your seating location and issue new tickets.

I know very little about classical music. Will I be able to enjoy the concert?
There is no prerequisite to enjoying the performances of the Philharmonic. If audience members want information about the pieces or artists featured, they can read notes in the program book or attend a Musically Speaking concert preview.* The magic of music, however, is how the music makes you feel, not what you know about it
*Masterworks series only.

When should I arrive?
What if I’m late?
We try our best to begin all concerts on time. To help reduce distracting noises during performances, there are designated pauses in each program when late arrivals will be seated. If you arrive late, we recommend that you wait close to your seating area’s entrance so we can seat you as soon as the pause occurs. If you have to leave a concert before its end, please do so between program works.

How long is a typical performance?
Program length varies, but a typical Philharmonic performance lasts about two hours, including one intermission. You can always call us at
260.481.0777 for an estimated length.

When do I applaud?
Many works in classical music, such as a Beethoven symphony or Mozart piano concerto, have three or more movements or sections. A short pause usually falls between them. It has become customary over time not to clap during these short pauses. In your printed program, movements are indented beneath the main title of the piece. Applaud after the final movement.

May I take pictures?
Cameras, as well as other recording devices, create distractions for the musicians and audience members. Recording without permission also violates copyright laws. As a result, no still, video or tape recorders are permitted.

What about food and drink?
Drinks are permitted in the auditorium at Embassy concerts only. At select concerts, refreshments are available both before the concert and during intermission.

May I bring my children?
The Philharmonic has a Family Series geared towards children in grades K-6. These are perfect concerts to introduce young children to classical music. Children are welcome at other concerts as well, and at around the age of 8, most will sit through and enjoy the event. Every child, regardless of age, will require a ticket. Children are eligible for free tickets to our classical concerts with a paid adult admission.

Why does the
Philharmonic solicit contributions? Don’t ticket sales cover their costs?
Ticket sales account for less than 40 percent of the Philharmonic’s yearly budget. Therefore the orchestra depends on individual, corporate and foundation gifts in order to bridge the gap between concert revenue and operating expenses.

What is the difference between a symphony orchestra and a philharmonic orchestra?
There is none. Either word is commonly used to describe a larger group of instrumentalists that includes a number of strings. A string quartet isn’t an orchestra. Neither is a brass band, nor a concert band. But, a dance band that included a few violins might be an orchestra, if that’s what they wanted to call themselves. So it all depends on whether there are “strings attached.”

What is a concertmaster, and what are his/her responsibilities?
The concertmaster is the lead violinist. As the violinist with the highest “rank,” he/she sits in the first chair right next to the conductor’s podium.
The concertmaster leads the orchestra in its tuning prior to the concert and customarily plays all of the violin solos within pieces. In addition, the concertmaster marks the orchestra’s parts with the appropriate bowings, so all violinists are moving their bows in unison.

Why is the oboe used to tune the orchestra?
The oboe has the most reliable pitch. At the concertmaster’s signal, the oboist plays the musical note “A” twice, so that the woodwinds and brass, followed by the string section, can tune individually.

Are all orchestras arranged on stage the same way?
Usually, although this arrangement may be changed according to the repertoire requirements.

What does the Philharmonic do for young people in school?
The Fort Wayne
Philharmonic reaches more than 125,000 young people annually through programs like our family series, Young People’s Concerts, Discovery concerts, small ensembles in the schools, and also by participation in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Youth Symphony. We also offer an instrument loan program, scholarships, and guest artist master classes. For more information on our education programs, visit our website at www.fwphil. org.