Attending Concerts
An SPO concert is sometimes the first classical music experience for our guests so don't feel alone. Our Music Director is very welcoming and usually introduces the pieces with a little background. Then you can just sit back and enjoy the music and reflect on the different moods conveyed. It is also interesting to watch the musicians and their instruments.
You may not take videos, flash photography or use a tape recorder during the concerts. You may, however, take still photos discretely, without using a flash. These rules also apply to mobile devices and smart phones, which should be turned off during the concert. Feel free to share your impressions and snaps to social media during intermission or after the concert. Hashtag #SPOGreatMusic
First check to see if there is a pre-concert talk or presentation scheduled. Sometimes these are only planned in the days before the concert. You'll want to plan to be at the venue about 30 minutes before the concert start time in order to give time to find a seat and review the program book. If you arrive after the concert starts, you will be asked to wait until a break in the music to find a seat (so as not to disturb others).
Our concerts are relaxed and casual. The range of attire is from casual working clothes to cocktail dress. Perfume and scents are discouraged in order to prevent sniffles and sneezes from the allergic.
Most concerts have a 15 to 20 minute intermission and refreshments (coffee/tea) are usually available (depending upon space and kitchen availabilities). What is fairly unique at SPO concerts is that musicians usually mix with the audience at intermission and will be happy to chat with you and answer your questions.
SPO Concerts present familiar classics from the orchestra and chamber music repertoire and also new Canadian compositions. If you are a classical music fan, you'll hear many of your favorites. If you are new to classical music you may hear something you recall from a special occasion, a movie soundtrack, cartoon or a commercial. It may not sound exactly as you remember it, or match something known in its entirety, but something may strike a familiar chord. Some people are a little frightened by the idea of "new" music because they associate that term with music that isn't easy to understand or listen to. SPO Music Director Ron Royer selects new music that he believes our audience will enjoy.
SPO Concerts range from 90 minutes to 2 hrs including intermission.
At SPO no one is going to mind if you clap in the "wrong" place but it is customary to wait until the end of the whole piece before applauding. Longer works such as symphonies and concertos are made up of several parts -- like chapters in a book or acts in a play. There are pauses between them but you'll know it isn't the end because the musicians are intent on getting ready for the next movement, the conductor is not turning to bow, so it is time to take a breath and wait for the next movement. Usually if you are in doubt, it's not time to applaud.
We make it easy for you to bring children by offering free tickets to kids elementary school age and younger. Some programs may be more interesting for children than others. You might like to sit in a location where it is easy to slip out with a restless child and return later when your child is ready. Be prepared for the fact that young children may not be interested enough to sit quietly through the entire concert and may need a break.
What do you mean by . . . ?
Music featuring one instrument or a group of instruments, usually playing with an orchestra.
A sung stage play, using music to propel the story and displaycharacters’ emotions. Opera often uses two kinds of singing: recitative [reh-chih-tah-TEEV], speech-like recitation for dialogue; and aria [AH-ree-ah], song-like music for reflection and reaction. Unlike a Broadway style musical, an opera does not usually involve spoken dialogue.
Vocal soloists and chorus join an orchestra to tell a story in music, but without the staging and costumes of an opera. to disturb others).
A piece for a single instrument, for an instrument with piano, or for a small group of instruments, which draws out the capabilities of that instrument or combination. scents are discouraged in order to prevent sniffles and sneezes from the allergic.
A collection of several movements, in different moods often dance movements.
The musical equivalent of a novel, a symphony has movements that are like chapters, meant to show off the many moods and sounds of the orchestra repertoire
A piece for beginning an opera, ballet, or concert, overtures are usually brief, however, typically they contain small tastes of all of the music in the opera or ballet score. In this way the mood is set.