Frequently Asked Questions about attending a Sinfonietta concert.
Listening to live music can be an amazing experience. Live music can fill you with emotion. Depending on the pieces played, you may feel joyous, nostalgic, sad, energized, contemplative or even romantic. It can be a lot of fun to watch musicians create music, bringing their own feelings into a piece and making it leap off the stage, impacting the mood of audience.
Some people think that Classical concerts are stuffy events. Not true! However, like anything else, there are a few rules to follow, designed to make everyone’s concert experience more enjoyable. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions that may answer your questions about attending a Chicago Sinfonietta event.
Do I have to dress up?
Contrary to popular belief, people do not wear tuxedos and fancy gowns to Classical concerts. Most people do like to dress up a little, usually in business attire. Casual clothes are also fine. Wear whatever you think is appropriate for a festive occasion. Most importantly – have fun!
When should I clap?
The most confusing thing about Classical music is knowing when to clap. Works of Classical music often have several sections or movements. Instead of clapping when the music stops after each movement, proper etiquette requires that you wait until the entire piece is complete. You can discover how many movements will be played by looking at your program book. Each selection will have the piece’s title, followed by the movements, which are often in Italian. There is usually a brief pause of about 15 seconds between movements. You can follow along with this to know when each movement stops and, finally, when the piece is over and you can clap. If all else fails, you can always wait until you hear others start clapping and show your enthusiasm then.
Is it OK to arrive late?
If you arrive late, you will not be let into the concert hall until after the conclusion of the first piece on the program. This is so that your entrance won’t interfere with other patron’s listening experience. If you want to experience the entire concert, arrive early so that you can get settled into your seat, read through the program book, and be ready to listen to the music.
How long will the concert last?
How long a concert lasts depends on the music that is being played. Classical concerts typically last between ninety minutes and two hours, including an intermission. Due to set changes, such as bringing a piano onstage, sometimes there is more than one intermission.
Can I talk during the concert?
Talking and whispering during concerts is not recommended. Try to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb the other people in the audience or distract the musicians on stage — yes, they can hear you! Focus on the music and the way it makes you feel. Between pieces or at intermission, you can share your emotions with your neighbor. During the performance, please remain quiet.
Can I bring children to a concert?
Children 6 years of age and older are welcome to attend our concerts. We have student tickets available for $10. Those that choose to attend with children who appear to be under the age of 6 may be asked to exit the concert hall.
Will I recognize any of the music?
You may recognize more than you expect. A lot of television shows, cartoons, commercials, and movies use Classical music in their themes or as background music. Some familiar songs include Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries in Bugs Bunny cartoons, Rossini’s William Tell Overture as the theme to the Lone Ranger, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue in United Airlines commercials. There are also a number of terrific web sites where you can find information about specific pieces. We particularly recommend www.meetthemusic.org
What restaurants are near Symphony Center?
We have a comprehensive list of restaurants near Symphony Center, which can be accessed by clicking here. When attending a concert at Symphony Center, we highly suggest Aria. 200 North Columbus Drive (312) 444.9494 as they offer a special Pre & Post-Concert 3-Course Menu.
How do I get to Symphony Center?
From the City, north of Symphony Center
Take Lake Shore Drive south. Exit on Randolph. Take Randolph to Michigan Avenue and turn left. Symphony Center is on your right just past Adams Street.
From the City, south of Symphony Center
Take Lake Shore Drive north past Soldier Field. Before Grant Park you will make a left at Balbo. Make the second right, which is Michigan Avenue. Symphony Center will be on your left four blocks up just after Jackson.
From the Northern Suburbs
Take I-94 to the Kennedy Expressway, I-90/94. Continue through the city. Take the Monroe Street exit east to Michigan Avenue. Make a right on Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your right just beyond Adams.
From O’Hare Airport and the Northwestern Suburbs
Use I-90 east to the Kennedy Expressway, I-90/94 heading towards Chicago. Continue through the city. Take the Monroe Street exit east to Michigan Avenue. Make a right on Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your right just beyond Adams.
From the Western Suburbs
Take the Eisenhower Expressway, I-290 east through the city on Congress until you reach Michigan Avenue. Make a left at Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your left just past Jackson.
From the Southwestern Suburbs
Take I-88 east, which becomes the Eisenhower Expressway heading towards Chicago. Follow that through the city on Congress until you reach Michigan Avenue. Make a left at Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your left just past Jackson.
From the Southern and Southeastern Suburbs
Take the Dan Ryan Expressway, I-90/94 north to the Lake Shore Drive exit. You are now on I-55 east. Take the Lake Shore Drive North exit and follow Lake Shore Drive north to Balbo. Make a left on Balbo and then your second right, which is Michigan Avenue. Symphony Center will be on your left four blocks up just after Jackson.
event key
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about attending a Sinfonietta concert.
Listening to live music can be an amazing experience. Live music can fill you with emotion. Depending on the pieces played, you may feel joyous, nostalgic, sad, energized, contemplative or even romantic. It can be a lot of fun to watch musicians create music, bringing their own feelings into a piece and making it leap off the stage, impacting the mood of audience.
Some people think that Classical concerts are stuffy events. Not true! However, like anything else, there are a few rules to follow, designed to make everyone’s concert experience more enjoyable. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions that may answer your questions about attending a Chicago Sinfonietta event.
Do I have to dress up?
When should I clap?
The most confusing thing about Classical music is knowing when to clap. Works of Classical music often have several sections or movements. Instead of clapping when the music stops after each movement, proper etiquette requires that you wait until the entire piece is complete. You can discover how many movements will be played by looking at your program book. Each selection will have the piece’s title, followed by the movements, which are often in Italian. There is usually a brief pause of about 15 seconds between movements. You can follow along with this to know when each movement stops and, finally, when the piece is over and you can clap. If all else fails, you can always wait until you hear others start clapping and show your enthusiasm then.
Is it OK to arrive late?
How long will the concert last?
Can I talk during the concert?
Can I bring children to a concert?
Will I recognize any of the music?
What restaurants are near Symphony Center?
We have a comprehensive list of restaurants near Symphony Center, which can be accessed by clicking here. When attending a concert at Symphony Center, we highly suggest Aria. 200 North Columbus Drive (312) 444.9494 as they offer a special Pre & Post-Concert 3-Course Menu.
How do I get to Symphony Center?
From the City, north of Symphony Center
Take Lake Shore Drive south. Exit on Randolph. Take Randolph to Michigan Avenue and turn left. Symphony Center is on your right just past Adams Street.
From the City, south of Symphony Center
Take Lake Shore Drive north past Soldier Field. Before Grant Park you will make a left at Balbo. Make the second right, which is Michigan Avenue. Symphony Center will be on your left four blocks up just after Jackson.
From the Northern Suburbs
Take I-94 to the Kennedy Expressway, I-90/94. Continue through the city. Take the Monroe Street exit east to Michigan Avenue. Make a right on Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your right just beyond Adams.
From O’Hare Airport and the Northwestern Suburbs
Use I-90 east to the Kennedy Expressway, I-90/94 heading towards Chicago. Continue through the city. Take the Monroe Street exit east to Michigan Avenue. Make a right on Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your right just beyond Adams.
From the Western Suburbs
Take the Eisenhower Expressway, I-290 east through the city on Congress until you reach Michigan Avenue. Make a left at Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your left just past Jackson.
From the Southwestern Suburbs
Take I-88 east, which becomes the Eisenhower Expressway heading towards Chicago. Follow that through the city on Congress until you reach Michigan Avenue. Make a left at Michigan and Symphony Center will be on your left just past Jackson.
From the Southern and Southeastern Suburbs
Take the Dan Ryan Expressway, I-90/94 north to the Lake Shore Drive exit. You are now on I-55 east. Take the Lake Shore Drive North exit and follow Lake Shore Drive north to Balbo. Make a left on Balbo and then your second right, which is Michigan Avenue. Symphony Center will be on your left four blocks up just after Jackson.