Question 1

Where is the performance?

Accepted Answer

We do not have a designated home, so be sure to read the concert description to see where the concert takes place.

Our most commonly used venues are the Allen High School PAC, Lowery Auditorium, Allen Public Library, and Frisco Public Library.

Question 2

What is a good seat?

Accepted Answer

Our concerts are usually open seating, so choose what you like best. For those who want to sit in the center, consider not sitting too close to the stage, since sitting a few rows back allows the sound time to blend by the time it reaches your ears. For venues with a balcony, sitting at the front of the balcony will give you a great aerial perspective of all the musicians.  Lastly, if there is a piano soloist performing, people like to sit more towards the left side of the house so that you can see the pianist’s hands as they perform.

Question 3

Where to buy tickets?

Accepted Answer

You can buy the tickets online at www.allenphilharmonic.org, or at the venue before the concert begins.

Question 4

What to wear?

Accepted Answer

We want you to be comfortable when you join us for a concert, so dress in a way that works for you. Some people love dressing up and others prefer to be more casual. Either way is fine! What you won’t see is a lot of formal wear and black tie.

Question 5

When to get there?

Accepted Answer

We recommend allowing plenty of time to park so that you will be in your seat before the concert begins. If you arrive after the concert has started, you will be allowed in at a suitable break in the program.

Question 6

When should I clap?

Accepted Answer

Before the first piece starts, the audience will clap when the:

Concertmaster enters. The concertmaster bows, representing the orchestra, and then starts tuning. You can stop clapping once the tuning begins.
Conductor enters. Generally the music director will invite the whole orchestra to stand and share his or her acknowledgment.

Next up is the music. Note how the concert is laid out in the program. Larger works, like symphonies or concertos, are often organized in smaller chunks called "movements."  Think of these like chapters in a book.  Usually, the tradition is to hold your applause until the end of the final movement, but if you really like what you just heard, it really is ok to clap! If you have lost track of the movements, just wait for visual cues:

If a movement has a quiet ending, just enjoy the moment and wait. There is no need to clap immediately, and sometimes breaking a moment like this can detract from the mood the orchestra and soloist just created.
If a movements ending is not super flashy or quiet, some of the audience may clap. You can join or not.
If it ends loud your instincts will assist you and you will feel an urge to clap. Additional visual cues will help too. Look at the body language of the musicians, especially the conductor.
The end of the final movement is easier. If it is a loud and fast ending, clap. If the work ends quietly, don’t rush to clap. Enjoy the feeling and wait for the body language of the musicians to show when the piece is done. Sometimes when a conductor ends a quiet piece, they leave their arms up in the air, as if to suspend the moment. Once they put their arms to their side, the piece is more than likely finished. Someone else will catch the clue and will applaud. If unsure, just hold your applause until others have started.

Clap when the conductor - and soloist (if any) - leave the stage. If there is a soloist he/she will come back and take a solo bow. Keep applauding. If the vibe in the hall allows, the soloist and conductor usually come back out and acknowledge the orchestra and take general bows for everyone onstage. If you enjoyed what you heard, keep applauding until the soloist and conductor leave the stage for good.