Symphony 101

Expect to enjoy yourself! This is the time to let go of any preconceptions you may have about classical music or the concert experience. If you feel a little nervous, that’s OK. Some things about the concert may seem strange because they’re new to you, but if you just focus on the music, you’ll have a great time. Open yourself up to the music. Let it trigger your emotions–maybe even your memories. Feel the rhythms; follow the tunes. Watch the musicians and the conductor and see how they interact with each other. Notice how the music ebbs and flows–surging and powerful at some times, delicate and ephemeral at others, and everything in between. Seeing a symphony is awe-inspiring. There is something about the live experience that just can’t be beaten.

Our home concert hall is the River Center Theater. This is where we will perform our Orchestral concerts, as well as the home of the Pennington Family Foundation Great Performers in Concert Series. Our Lamar Family Chamber Series performs at various host locations throughout the Greater Baton Rouge Area, check our website for location specifics. Our Concerts with Candles Series is held in the Virginia and John Noland Black Box at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center. Throughout the season, BRSO will perform “pop up” concerts, so be sure to follow our social media for any special announcements.

Ticket prices will vary depending on the concert, but most range from $19 - $65.

Absolutely! Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before concert time, so you can find your seat, turn off your cell phone, take a look at your surroundings, absorb the atmosphere, and have time to glance through the program book, too. You won’t be alone. Many concertgoers make a point of coming early to read the program notes, watch the orchestra warm up, listen to music in the lobby, or (depending on the venue) visit the bar and talk with friends. Rushing to your seat at the last minute doesn’t really give you enough time to get settled, so you may not fully enjoy the first piece on the program. And there’s another good reason to come early: Most concerts start on time. If you’re late, you may end up listening from the lobby! If that happens, the usher will allow you inside during a suitable pause in the program, so your arrival won’t disturb other concertgoers.

It happens! But for the comfort and listening pleasure of the audience in the auditorium, late-arriving patrons will not be seated while music is being performed. Latecomers will be seated at appropriate pauses in the performance. When you hear applause, you may take your seat.

There is no dress code! At most Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra concerts, you’ll see a majority of concert-goers in business casual attire, but you’ll see everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. Some people love dressing up and going out—if that’s you, do it and you won’t be the only one, we promise. If you prefer to be more casual, then you probably won’t be the only one dressed casually, either. More than anything, we want you to be comfortable when you join us for a concert, so dress in a way that works for you. For our evening parties and special events though, bring on the ritz. In short, you do you, and we’re just glad you’re joining us.

Yes. The River Center is now a clear bag facility. All bags or purses must be clear and no larger than 12 inches x 12 inches x 6 inches.

Food and beverage service will be limited and dependent on the concert location.  Intermission bars may be open for limited service before and during performances. 

The music will absolutely speak for itself. Just come and enjoy it! Over time, many frequent concertgoers do find deeper enjoyment if they prepare for a concert. This can be simple, like reading the program notes beforehand; or it can be more involved, like listening to recordings of the music to be performed in the days before they attend a concert. You know yourself best, so if research interests you, go ahead and follow your curiosity. But if studying isn’t your thing, there’s no need to be concerned about it. Just listen with an open mind.

Probably! Classical music is all around us in commercials, movie soundtracks, television themes, cartoons, retail shops, and even some elevators. Popular music often quotes classical melodies, as well. Hearing it performed live by a full orchestra is a completely different experience, though.

Whether or not you’ve heard the music before the concert, as you listen, you’ll notice that each classical piece uses its own group of several tunes over and over, in different ways. You’ll start to “recognize” these melodies as a work progresses. Listen for the ways a melody is repeated: Is it exactly the same as the first time, or with a different character? Is it played by the same instruments or different ones? Does it start the same as before, but go off in a different direction? Or start differently and surprise you by developing into the tune you recognize from earlier in the piece?

It varies, but most BRSO concerts are about 90 minutes to two hours long, with an intermission at the halfway point.

We do ask you to silence before the concert begins. We ask that you don’t take photos of the orchestra or musicians while they are playing music, since it can be distracting to them and other audience members, especially if the flash goes off. Please feel free to take photos before and after the music (during the applause). If you’re sharing them on social media, don’t forget to tag us (@BRSymphony) or email to us to hare (patron.services@brso.org).

We also ask you politely not to make audio or video recordings of the music as this is illegal, even if it’s just for your own enjoyment.

Absolutely!  We welcome children and young people to all concerts. If your children are under 12 you might prefer to bring them to our Home for the Holidays concert, but we love to see young music lovers at all concerts!

Yes! The box office is there for you to purchase individual tickets when the doors open. Please refer to our ticket prices for each concert.

Please note: not all concerts will have at-door availability. For example, our concerts with candles tend to sell out in advance. We strongly encourage patrons to call the box office or order online prior to the day of to ensure availability.

No worries! Patrons without their tickets should visit the box office table to check in for concerts. All we need is your name.

• Off-street parking is available on a case-by-case basis.

• Parking is available in the parking garages located on St. Louis Boulevard. There is a fee to park in these garages for most events and they accept CARD ONLY.

  From the West: Take I-10 East to Baton Rouge and take exit 155A for LA-30/Nicholson Dr. Keep right, follow signs for LA-30/Nicholson Dr. Continue onto St. Louis St. The West Parking Garage will be on your left and the East Parking Garage will be on your right.

  From the East: Take I-10 West to Baton Rouge and use the right lane to keep right at the fork, continue on I-110 N and follow signs for Downtown/Metro Airport. Take exit 1A for Government St./LA-73 S. Turn left onto Government St. and turn right onto St. Louis St. The West Parking Garage will be on your left and the East Parking Garage will be on your right.

Refunds will be issued on a case by case basis. More commonly, we'll issue patron credit vouchers to be redeemed for future BRSO concerts.

But it never hurts to ask! If you won't be able to make a concert, call us at 225-383-0500 or email patron.services@brso.org.

Obviously, you do! The real heroes behind every organization are its volunteers. These are the individuals who give unselfishly of their time, energy, and talents in order to serve their community. We at the BRSO are lucky to have you and your commitment to us is appreciated in ways that you often cannot imagine. We are deeply indebted and grateful to anyone who is able to volunteer. The BRSO relies on the help of volunteers in a variety of areas.  From taking tickets, or setting up the stage, to setting up fundraisers, your help is vital to the success of the BRSO. If you are gracious enough to provide us with your time you may be asked to provide assistance in a number of areas. If you would like to volunteer, call (225) 383-0500 or email us at patron.services@brso.org.