First Timer's Guide
What is classical music?
Will I recognize any of the music?
Will I enjoy the concert?
Do I need to know the music before I attend
a performance?
How can I learn about the music before the
concert?
What should I wear?
What about cell phones, pagers, coughing?
What if I lose my tickets?
Who can I contact with questions or concerns?
When should I arrive?
When do I applaud?
May I take pictures?
How long is a typical performance?
How can I purchase tickets?
May I bring children?
What is classical music?
The term “classical music” can mean anything
from a Bach Concerto composed in the late 17th century to
a Brahms symphony composed in the mid 19th century - from
an Adams tone poem written last week to a Stravinsky Symphony
written in the early 20th century. Generally, classical music
is defined by an ensemble composed of strings (violins, violas,
cellos and basses), woodwinds (flutes, oboes, clarinets and
bassoons), brass (trumpets, French horns, trombones, and tuba)
and percussion (timpani, xylophone and harp) or some combination
thereof.
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Will I recognize any of the music?
Odds are, you’ll recognize far more than you know.
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”),
United Airlines commercials (Gershwin’s “Rhapsody
in Blue”), American Beef Council ads (Copland’s
“Hoe-down from ‘Rodeo’).
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Will I enjoy the concert?
Absolutely! Classical music is everything from exciting
and invigorating to relaxing and serene. When you join us
in the concert hall, you’ll embark on a musical journey
that is new and beautiful at every turn. How will the music
speak to you? Listen and see!
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Do I need to know the music before
I attend a performance?
No. One of the great joys of going to a Waukesha Symphony
Orchestra concert is being introduced to a great piece of
music you've never heard before, or listening to a superb
performance of a piece you haven't heard in years. Some regular
concert-goers do find they appreciate the performance more
if they listen to a recording of the piece before the concert,
so they can better anticipate their favorite parts, or listen
for virtuoso playing of the more difficult passages. And many
audience members find it enhances their enjoyment of the music
if they take the time before the performance to read the notes
in the program about the composer and the pieces that are
to be played. On the WSO website, we post each concert's Program
Notes at least two weeks before the performance.
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How can I learn about the music
before the concert?
Program notes are provided in the program book you receive
from the ushers upon entering the concert hall. You may wish
to arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the performance to review
the program notes. Program notes for many WSO performances
are also available online. You also can sign up to receive
e-mail notifications about the WSO performances, events and
promotions. Email your request to info@waukeshasymphony.org
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What should I wear?
Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Contrary to what many
people think, formal attire – tuxedos and evening gowns
– is not required at WSO concerts. You’ll see
concertgoers in suits, vests, sweaters, khakis, slacks –
everything! Most people wear “business casual”
attire.
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What about cell phones, pagers, coughing?
It is always best to 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 the conductor,
musicians and your fellow audience members, and are considered
to be quite rude. Another alternative is to set the device
on vibrate, so that if an important call is received, one
can retreat to the exterior of the hall to resolve the concern.
Coughing is an unavoidable problem. But, there are ways to
avoid coughing during the music. If you feel a cold is coming
on, please bring lozenges with you or pick one up in the lobby
on your way in to the hall. The next step is crucial: unwrap
them before the music begins. Unwrapping a cough drop during
the performance makes more noise than you think. If you need
to cough more than a few times, there’s nothing wrong
with excusing yourself from the hall for the rest of the movement.
Once you have left the hall, you may re-enter at the conclusion
of the piece being performed.
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What if I lose my tickets?
No problem – If you contact the box office (262) 547-1858
at least two days prior to the concert, we can have a new
set waiting at the performance.
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Who can I contact with questions
or concerns?
We’re ready and able to help! Contact us via email
at info@waukeshasymphony.org or call (262) 547-1858. Please
note that all programs and artists are subject to change without
notice. You may also sign up for our email roster to receive
pre-concert information and special discounts.
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When should I arrive?
We suggest you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the concert
is scheduled to begin. That will give you ample time to find
your seat, relax, read the Program Notes, and watch the musicians
as they take the stage. Waukesha Symphony Orchestra concerts
begin promptly at the announced starting time. Ticket holders
who come late will not be seated in the hall until after the
conclusion of the first work on the program. Concertgoers
who must leave the hall before or during the playing of a
piece will not be reseated until after that piece is concluded.
In consideration of the performers and fellow concertgoers,
we ask that you remain in your seat until the concert has
ended.
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When do I applaud?
Applause at Waukesha Symphony Orchestra performances is
meant both as a greeting and to show appreciation for the
artists. Just before the concert begins, after all the musicians
are seated, the concertmaster takes the stage. Traditionally,
patrons applaud to greet the concertmaster and again a few
moments later to greet the conductor and/or soloists. Once
the performance begins, you’ll notice in your program
book that many musical works have three or more movements
or sections. A short pause often follows each movement. It
is customary to refrain from applauding during these pauses.
After the final movement of a work, applaud to your heart’s
content.
If you still aren’t certain when to applaud, a good
sign is when the conductor either turns around or steps off
the podium. If all else fails, you can always wait for the
rest of the audience to being clapping.
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May I take pictures?
The use of still, video and digital cameras and audio recording
equipment is strictly prohibited at all times.
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How long is a typical performance?
Although concert length varies, most performances are about
two hours, including one 15 - minute intermission.
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How can I purchase tickets?
Waukesha Symphony Orchestra tickets may be purchased online
up to 24 hours before performance start time, by phone at
262-547-1858, by fax at 262-547-5440, or in person at our office - 234 W. Main Street, Suite 9 in downtown Waukesha. Our office is open Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm. WSO tickets may be purchased
via the web, telephone and fax with Visa, MasterCard or Discover.
We accept cash, check and Visa, MasterCard or Discover at our office.
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May I bring children?
Children 6 years of age and older are welcome at all performances
with a purchased ticket. We do not recommend children under
six attend a Symphony concert with the exception of our Holiday
Pops and Summer Pops concerts. Children and full time
students may purchase tickets at half the regular adult price
for all performances.
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