Ovens Auditorium

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 and Family series concerts trend more casual, while Classical Series concerts trend toward business attire.

We suggest you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the concert begins to purchase refreshments, find your seat, read the program, and watch the musicians as they take the stage to warm up.

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 to the stage, which occurs after the orchestra finishes tuning. 3) To welcome any soloists to the stage.

For Classical Series concerts, holding applause between movements (a brief 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.

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 CSO 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.

The Charlotte Symphony cancels performances only in the event of severe weather. If a concert is cancelled due to severe weather, ticketholders will receive notification at the email address used to purchase tickets. This email will include information about ticket options. Updates will also be posted on the Charlotte Symphony website.
 
If a performance is not cancelled but you feel unsafe traveling to the performance, you may exchange into a future performance in the same season.
 
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