Student Rush
Are you a college student who wants to experience the Symphony? Student Rush is the new and improved 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.
How to Purchase
Student Rush tickets are limited to 1 per valid student ID and can be purchased either online through the links below (bring your student ID to the will call desk at the theater box office up to 2 hours before the performance to receive your ticket) or directly at the box office up to 2 hours before the performance.
Student Rush tickets will be available for select concerts beginning the Wednesday prior to the concert weekend. Eligible concerts will be announced by email to our Student Rush mailing list (including prior members of Students InTune). Get emails announcing the concerts you can enjoy as part of Student Rush by signing up for the list below.
Seats are subject to availability. For accessibility accommodations, please call CSO Patron Services at 704-972-2000 ext. 0.
Student Rush tickets will be available for select concerts beginning the Wednesday prior to the concert weekend. Eligible concerts will be announced by email to our Student Rush mailing list (including prior members of Students InTune). Get emails announcing the concerts you can enjoy as part of Student Rush by signing up for the list below.
Seats are subject to availability. For accessibility accommodations, please call CSO Patron Services at 704-972-2000 ext. 0.
Upcoming Eligible Concerts
Respighi's Pines of Rome
November 14 & 15 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterDuruflé's Requiem weaves medieval melodies with lush harmonies into a moving, spiritual experience, followed by Respighi's colorful tone poems that paint a vivid picture of the lush landscapes and sparkling fountains of Rome, his beloved adopted home.
Get Tickets
Handel's Messiah
December 5-7 | Times Vary | Knight TheaterHandel's Messiah returns as a treasured holiday tradition, filled with uplifting arias and the iconic "Hallelujah" Chorus -- a moving celebration of hope and renewal.
→ Tickets on sale Dec 3!
Holiday Pops
December 12-14 | Times Vary | Knight TheaterExperience the tapestry of home with a celebration of North Carolina's rich musical heritage at Holiday Pops! Sounds of bluegrass, blues, and gospel converge in traditional holiday songs that feel uniquely like Carolina.
→ Tickets on sale Dec 10!
Strauss's Blue Danube
January 9 & 10, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Belk TheaterA sweeping tribute to Vienna and the rich tradition of the waltz, this program shimmers with color and breathtaking virtuosity, offering a brilliant start to the new year.
→ Tickets on sale Jan 7!
The Music of Motown
January 23 & 24, 2026 | 7:30 PM | Knight TheaterGet down to the irresistible rhythms of Detroit's iconic pop-soul sound. Delight in the uplifting pop harmonies and driving beats of smash hits made famous by The Temptations, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and more.
→ Tickets on sale Jan 21!
Prokofiev & Schumann
January 30-February 1, 2026 | Times Vary | Knight TheaterPianist Ran Dank shines in the virtuosic brilliance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3, followed by Schumann's soaring Symphony No. 2.
→ Tickets on sale Jan 28!
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. |
