Expect to enjoy yourself! Let go of any presumptions you may have about the classical music concert experience. This is an opportunity to open your mind and to allow yourself to be taken on a journey by the conductor and musicians through the music. Some do this by watching the orchestra or the conductor. Some do this with their eyes shut. Experiment. Enjoy.

There is no formal dress code for ASO concerts. Many patrons come straight from work in business attire or dress up for a night out, while others prefer a more casual look. For matinees, Family Concerts, and Sanctuary Series concerts, casual attire is even more common. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and ready to enjoy the music!

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the concert start time. This will give you enough time to park, find your seat, look over the program, and relax before the music begins. You may want to arrive earlier – to have a drink with family and friends, or to attend a Pre-Concert Talk presented prior to many ASO concerts.

Clapping is a great way to show your appreciation for the performers. If you’re new to classical music, knowing when to clap can feel a bit confusing, but don’t worry—it’s simple once you get the hang of it!

Classical pieces often have multiple sections or movements. It’s tradition to wait until the entire piece is finished before applauding, even though there might be a pause between movements. You can see if a piece has movements by downloading the concert program before theh concert, or if you’re unsure, a good rule of thumb is to follow the lead of the conductor or the rest of the audience.

Ultimately, we’re all here to enjoy the music, so don’t stress too much—your enthusiasm is always appreciated!

Absolutely not! That’s one of the great things about music – it has a way of reaching all of us. Still, many people enjoy learning about the music beforehand and you have many options to do so:

If you arrive an hour before our Symphony Series concerts at the Adelaide Town Hall, you can attend our free pre-concert talks, Classical Conversations, in the Stalls on Level 1.

You can download a program from the concert web page, and read about the music, the composers and the artists. Printed programs will also be available for sale at most of our concerts at the concert venue.

Finally, you can listen to the music before the concert! Listening to the music can help you explore your taste and find what you like best.