Student Rush
Student Rush is the best way for undergraduate and graduate students to experience select Charlotte Symphony (CSO) concerts by purchasing $15 tickets online, up to 2 days before the concert weekend. Take advantage of the best available seats at a variety of CSO programs with this unique access for students!
Sign up for our email list!
Eligible concerts will be announced by email to our Student Rush mailing list. Get emails announcing the concerts you can enjoy as part of Student Rush by signing up for the list below.
How to Purchase
Student Rush tickets are limited to 1 per valid student ID for select concerts throughout the season.
- Advance Student Rush is available online below beginning on the Wednesday prior to the concert weekend. Bring your student ID to Will Call at the theater box office up to 2 hours before the performance to receive your ticket
- Day-of Student Rush tickets can be purchased at the box office up to 2 hours prior to the performance
Upcoming Eligible Concerts
Gershwin & Bernstein
Apr 24 & 25 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterA vivid, cinematic program featuring Svendsen's Romeo and Juliet, Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, and Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story -- rich with drama, rhythm, and energy.
→ Tickets on sale Apr 22!
Gopland & Kahane
May 15 & 16 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterThe season concludes with works reflecting on place and belonging: Higdon's portrait of Atlanta, Copland's Appalachian Spring, and Kahane's emergency shelter intake form, which explores homelessness from multiple perspectives.
→ Tickets on sale May 13!
FAQs
| Do I have to be a musician to attend? |
| No! We welcome any college or graduate student to experience the Symphony through Student Rush, regardless of course of study or musical ability. |
| What if my school doesn't use IDs? |
| Just bring a way to prove that you are a current student. For example, you can show a landing page on a current course work website, or a school email address. For questions about student IDs, please call CSO Patron Services at 704-972-2000 ext. 0. |
| How long are concerts? |
| Classical, Pops, and Movie series concerts are 2 hours in length and include a 20-minute intermission unless otherwise stated. Special concerts are often 1-2 hours in length and may or may not include an intermission. See specific event pages for more information. |
| When should I arrive? |
| We suggest you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the concert begins to purchase refreshments, find your seat, scan the QR code to read the program, and watch as the musicians take the stage to warm up. Classical series performances often include a Pre-Concert Talk that begins 1 hour prior to the performance. What if I'm late? Out of respect to the musicians and audience members, ticketholders who come late will not be seated in the hall until after the conclusion of the first work on the program or as determined by the Symphony that evening. Concertgoers who must leave the hall before or during a selection will not be reseated until after that piece has concluded, or at the next natural break in the performance. |
| What should I wear? |
| Whatever makes you feel comfortable! Some like to dress up for evening concerts, while others prefer to wear jeans and t-shirts. For the most part, Pops concerts trend more casual, while Classical Series concerts trend toward business attire. |
| When should I clap? |
| You'll notice that audience members applaud at three moments at the beginning of the concert: 1) to welcome the concertmaster (violinist who sits in the first chair of the first row), 2) to welcome the conductor for the evening, which occurs after the orchestra finishes tuning, and 3) if we have a soloist/s, to welcome them as well. For Classical series concerts, holding applause between movements (a pause in the music) is considered respectful of the performers' concentration and encourages musical continuity. If you're unfamiliar with the work, you'll know it's time for applause when the conductor puts their arms down and turns to the audience. |
