Symphony 101
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Symphony Experience
General Patron FAQs
Below are answers to some frequently-asked questions about the Symphony experience. We hope that this information is helpful and makes your concert experience with the St. Louis Symphony a pleasant one.
Q. When should I arrive?
A. The Pre-Concert Perspective (lecture) begins one hour before each Orchestral performance, but we recommend you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance. This will allow you time to find parking and to find your seat in the hall. Once the concert has started patrons will not be seated in the hall until the conclusion of the first work on the program. Please refer to our Late Seating Policy below for more details.
Q. When do I clap?
A. For most repertoire, it is appropriate to clap at the completion of the piece. Most symphonies consist of numerous "movements." It is customary that the audience clap only at the completion of the entire symphony. This allows the orchestra and conductor to maintain a certain concentration between movements, as well as helping the audience maintain a level of attention without interruption. If you're not sure, just wait until the rest of the audience begins clapping to be safe!
Q. What do I wear?
A. At our performances you will see a wide variety of clothing, including suits and formal wear to khakis, jeans and skirts. Generally, business casual is a good way to go.
Q. Can I bring my children?
A. Children 5 and over are welcome to attend our regular Orchestral subscription performances. For Family concerts and other family oriented SLSO Presents concerts (like Magical Music of Disney, Bugs Bunny on Broadway), children 3 and over are welcome to attend. Everyone must have a ticket for admittance to a concert. If not clearly stated on the concert listings, please call the box office at (314) 534-1700 to confirm the minimum age policy for a particular concert.
Q. Where do I park?
A. The St. Louis Symphony does not own any of the parking lots in the vicinity of Powell Symphony Hall. Adjacent to Powell Symphony Hall is a pay-lot that charges a fee for event parking. We recommend this lot as it is the closest to the hall. There is parking available in the lot directly North of Powell Symphony Hall on Delmar. There is also street parking available on Delmar Blvd., East of Grand Ave. Metered spots are also available on Delmar Blvd., West of Grand Ave. For more information visit our Parking or Driving Directions page.
Q. How long are the performances?
A. Generally, our regular orchestral performances begin at 8pm. Our Special Events begin at 7:30pm. All of our Sunday orchestral performances begin at 3pm. Most performances run about 2 hours, including an intermission of about 20 minutes.
General Information:
Cameras and tape recorders are not allowed in Powell Symphony Hall. Pagers and cellular phones must be turned off before entering the concert hall. Food and drinks may be enjoyed in the lobby but are not permitted in the concert hall. Smoking is not permitted in Powell Symphony Hall. Halls Cough Drops are provided free of charge by the Warner-Lambert Company in an effort to reduce distracting noises. Please see an usher for free cough drops. Patrons who arrive late will be seated at the first convenient pause in the program. No late seating is guaranteed for programs without intermission.
Late Seating Policy
St. Louis Symphony concerts begin promptly at the announced starting time. In deference to the comfort and listening pleasure of the audience in the hall, latecomers will not be seated until after the conclusion of the first work on the program, and there will be no seating break during any work. Patrons who leave the hall before or during a work will not be reseated until after the completion of the work. In fairness to the performers and fellow concertgoers, we ask that you remain in your seat until the concert has concluded.
Have any additional questions that are not answered above? Feel free to send an email to our Symphony Info Hotline for more information. We can't promise to have the answers to all of your questions, but we will do our best to try! Email: Symphony INFO@slso.org