Davies Symphony Hall
First Timer's Guide
The San Francisco Symphony's F.A.Q. for the FTA: You!
So you're a First-Time Attendee—don't worry about it. The following are answers to frequently asked questions about Symphony-going, designed to make your first trip to the San Francisco Symphony a pleasant one.
1. What is classical music?
The term "classical music" can mean anything from a Bach Concerto to a Brahms Rhapsody, anything from an Adams tone poem to a Schubert Symphony. Generally, classical music is played by a symphonic ensemble comprised of strings (violins, violas, cellos, and basses), woodwinds (clarinets, oboes, flutes, and bassoons), brass (trumpets, French horns, trombones, and tubas) and percussion (drums, xylophones, and bells), or some combination thereof.
2. Will I enjoy the concert?
Absolutely! Classical music is exciting, surprising, and oftentimes funny. When you join us in the concert hall, you'll learn why Haydn called it the "Surprise" Symphony, you'll hang on every note of the third movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, you'll giggle at Ives' Three Places in New England, and you'll be in awe of Strauss' Also sprach Zarathustra.
3. Will I recognize any music?
Odds are, you'll recognize far more than you realize. Many of today's popular songs, television shows, and movies include or are taken from classical themes, like the “Lone Ranger” theme (Rossini's William Tell Overture), the Bugs Bunny cartoon "What's Opera, Doc?" (Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries), United Airlines television commercials (Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue), and many more.
4. What exactly are seasons and series?
By season, we mean the months from September to May or June, when our regular subscription concerts take place. Therefore, the 2007-08 season runs from September 2007 to June 2008, with concerts taking place almost every week in Davies Symphony Hall. A series is a set of pre-selected concerts that you can purchase as a package. When you purchase a series, you become a subscriber (you have purchased a subscription). Subscribers enjoy many benefits, including lower ticket prices than single ticket buyers, sitting in the same seats for every concert in their series, and ticket exchange privileges.
5. What's the difference between a concert and a recital?
At a concert, the entire Symphony will play, led by a conductor. At a recital, only a soloist—sometimes with a piano accompanist—performs. Recitals are very intimate, whereas concerts are intended for larger audiences. Artists in recital can be found on our Great Performers Series and certain Special Event concerts.
6. What should I wear to a San Francisco Symphony concert?
Contrary to what many people think, formal attire—such as tuxedos and evening gowns—is not required at Symphony concerts. In fact, most people only wear formal clothing to our Opening Gala. At our other concerts, most concertgoers wear business or cocktail attire.
7. When should I clap?
Generally, it is considered proper concert etiquette to clap only after a piece is complete. This means, for example, if you're listening to Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, which has four movements, it is appropriate to clap after the last movement. You can look at your program book to find out how many movements a piece has. Usually, there is a 15- to 30-second pause in between movements. So, in the case of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, you know you're hearing the Finale after three pauses. If all else fails, you can always wait for the rest of the audience to clap before applauding.
8. What about other noises—coughing, cell phones, pagers?
Please turn off cell phones and pagers before entering the concert hall. Noises such as a pager going off or a cell phone ringing are very distracting to your fellow audience members, the conductor, and the musicians.
Coughing can be an unavoidable problem. But there are ways to avoid coughing during the music. If you feel a cold coming on, please bring lozenges with you. During winter months, free cough drops are located throughout the lobby. Any usher can direct you to them. The next step is crucial: Unwrap them ahead of time. Unwrapping a cough drop during the music makes more noise than you might think. If there are no lozenges in hand and you need to cough once or twice, please try to wait for the end of the movement.
Also, it is customary not to talk while the music is playing. Being sensitive to your neighbors allows everyone to have a more pleasant concert experience.
9. Can I bring the kids?
Children under seven are not recommended to attend our regular subscription concerts—the programs tend to be too long for children. However, while our subscription concerts are perfect for adults, kids and their families will enjoy our Music for Families series, Concerts for Kids, Holiday programs, and some of the weekend-matinee Summer in the City concerts.
10. How can I learn more about the San Francisco Symphony?
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