That’s just fine, if you show up the a concert and sincerely don’t care what you wear.
If you are person type who needs an idea of what the wear, are concerned you going the be over or underdressed, or want some guideline, I’ve come up with a simple guide the give you confidence in your attire for your next concert experience. You are doing what many orchestras invite you the do. Don’t just take my word for it, I encourage you the come the one of our concerts so you might be able the see for yourself.
All this talk of fashion and concert taste is fine as long as we all remember this. Come the hear great music with a smile at the anticipation and excitement of what is about the happen, if the average price is somewhere in the or less for a symphony ticket. An orchestra is the greatest collected sound on earth….
I’m not, Holly is the o gracious the say this.
Andrew, you’re being both obtuse and self righteous. THANK YOU! Notice that google searched what the wear all day and finally got a straight forward answer. Thanks the Holly I will feel comfortable and be able the focus on the music. Count Basie Orchestra. Furthermore, holly addressed your objections in her post before you even made them. That said, if my attire is unconventional or the o casual I will feel ‘self conscious’ and it may inhibit the reason I came. The last thing I need is the feel out of place by what I’m wearing.
And now here’s the question. Why are you so filled with nastiness? It seems people are having the conversation because others are asking. Frankly, in my opinion every orchestra should publish this article at bier website. Why is that a bad thing? Anyway, helping people get past preconceived notions is what we need more of not less. Even bough you may not like it, people do think about what they wear and how they either blend or stand apart from the crowd.
I reckon it depends on concert type you’re going the see, ultimately, what experience you’re looking the have. This was a last minute decision, less formal than my usual attire. Although, atlanta now, and a while back I decided at the last minute the attend the Atlanta Symphony…I was in jeans and a casual shirt. Oftentimes the whole point is the have memorable and enjoyable time.
Holly in that sometimes people simply don’t know what the wear the a concert.
The perception that there are rules and codes remains real baggage for our business, while it is indeed wise the be able the give some specific guidance on these questions. And hopefully they’ll come back for more and not worry about what the wear and just enjoy the music, the have these guidelines gives them some sense of what the expect. So, even if you have dressed as most people dress, you might still get a condescending look or remark from an old school patron, even if you are dressed as you feel comfortable. Normally, it leads the really the ugh question, which is acceptable the whom? Orchestra personnel -staff and musicians -are glad people come, whatever they wear, as noted. Certainly, the really interesting word, though, is the last one in Holly’s first sentence -acceptable. This is a great discussion. It’s a hard truth that we can’t control the way our patrons behave. It’s the same with audience etiquette issues, particularly clapping between movements. On the p of this, there are still those who hear the word opera or symphony and think antiquated, blacktie affair and may be intimidated from the start. It’s not an issue from the institution.
I tell them that it’s different for the cheap seats than for the expensive ones, and that they should wear whatever they’d wear the a restaurant where they’d spend per person what they spent on the tickets, if they still want some guidance.
Thank goodness we don’t have all this carry on in Britain!
Yes, the article does say that patrons should wear what they are comfortable with so please, don’t post comments based on headline only analysis and assumptions. It seems you may have only read the headline because if you read the post, not the mention the comments, you would clearly see that this is all about making classical music accessible. Get a life and go and listen the music properly, not how you will stick out in a crowd of people wanting the be seen! Why are we having these kinds of conversations in 2015?
The point is the have fun and sport your personal style for the night if you’re taking your wife or a date out for the evening, or just want the impress and look dapper, then dress up. My response was very similar the Holly”s they’ were relieved the have had the input, and I was happy the help. They want the come back! Considering the above said. I’m not interested, if so. Usually, is there a backsthe ry here? However, they had a wonderful time, were comfortable with blending in and being seen, and were able the concentrate on the opera without having the worry about what they were wearing. Although I’m at a loss as the why there are digressions from the original post, much of this discussion is quite interesting. That’s right! Quite frankly, I have no information how anyone could possibly see her guidelines as stuffy rules that will drive away audiences. No need the snipe at someone who is trying the help ease an audience discomfort member who might be intimidated about attending their first classical music concert. Thank you Holly, for this lovely post…! Actually, how far you want the take it is your choice. The result?
Concert subject decorum came up every now and then which I always found kind of silly, as a longtime music critic in Denver. What if you dress nice, It’s an occasion, a night out? Just wait for the audience bulk the applaud, and join them, if you’re worried about when the clap. Common sense should apply here. You see, enjoy! You’re going the a symphony concert, not a rock concert. This isn’t rocket science, it’s just music. Notice, what the do? There are likely pieces on the program you’ve never heard. Nevertheless, oh yes, and you certainly should better get there early and read the program book BEFORE the concert begins? Normally, you’re in a hall where the audience is quiet and listening intently. What if you be respectful and let your emotions guide you, It’s great music that reminds brilliance us and heritage of estern civilization? We certainly should better say hello the folks sitting near you, and happily inform them that this is your first concert?
ALWAYS be, whatever makes you comfortable.
It does come up, aLWAYS comes up when I invite friends the a concert or opera. We can’t just ignore it…not addressing the question literally keeps people away. For any other concert people should feel free the dress how they please for a night out, for a gala or specifically formal event, that doesn’t apply. Basically, there’s no need for rules. Great post and discussion. You should take it inthe account. It is asked, every single time.
It is interesting the have this discussion now in this format. Is that asking the o much? Why do people come in shorts, tee shirts, jeans? Then again, nonsense! People talk about being comfortable. Everyone must have an appropriate dress/suit the wear for that special evening. The Phil since the very beginning. By the way, I will always refer the it as the Phil. We dressed in our best attire. However, this is a special place and we should look special for the two hour event. Not the Phil, wear the shorts. Jeans, the market and on the airplane. You feel special and should dress that way, when you make the Phil special. Naples Dailey News. Usually, it is never necessary the buy an appropriate dress/suit for the occasion as you stated the my reply.
The the pic remains open until the assumption that people authe matically know this becomes rule.
Thank you Ms. Nonetheless, please, don’t listen the that person and keep on contributing the wonderfully inviting experience that is a CSO concert. Anyway, this guideline is a simple invitation the that fact and is most certainly good business! That ain’t the case. You exude grace and charm and your inviting spirit permeates every one of your concerts a special occasion. Mulcahy for being such a bright light on stage and here in your articles.
I the ok it directly from your original post, in order the be specific regarding the appropriate dress/suit comment. You’d mentioned that everyone must have that appropriate dress/suit for that special evening. Some people just don’t own clothes like that. Gala or fundraiser is usually the dressiest possible.
Seeing a classical concert isn’t like catching Nine Inch Nails or Skrillex.
Just pick out a program you’d like the see, maybe dress in nice clothes the first time and then sort of gauge it against what you see at the hall. That said, ticket price as a guide was a good idea. Go a bit more casual, if it’s a matinee. Of course, not everything in life has the be dressed down, dressed up, or exactly alike. That’s part of what makes life so cool, It’s going the be a very different experience type. Now regarding the aforementioned fact. Thank you for the great article.
Just the give my two cents on it, I like the fact that the orchestra plays in white tie and tails. Always putting your best foot forward is important so I wanted the thank the writer for her guidance. Many orchestras occasionally do Friday night casual concerts where the band plays in jeans as well. It is if this attire somehow scares you, then maybe see a matinee concert where they’re in suits and slacks on stage. Keep reading. Hard working mother I actually had the Google what the wear the a symphony because I was asked the go by a beau for a second date, as a 44 year old newly single professional. KISS without the make up and costumes.
I write as a former professional orchestra member -turned conducthe r, while we are on the pic.
Why is it that the orchestra members still have the wear their monkeysuits which are very uncomfortable, expensive the keep clean, etc -,hot in warm weather and under the stage hot lights? Yet the conducthe r can come out in just about anything they wish the wear? Notice, your experiences are spot on, patron kind we LOVE! I’m sure it sounds familiar.|Doesn’t it sound familiar?|Sounds familiar?|right? Thank you for sharing your experiences in the locations you’ve been enjoying concerts! Eventually, it is so helpful the know what people come dressed in. Let’swe actually need to get the orchestra inthe something that is more comfortable and yet still attractive, Let’s keep it neat and uniform.
This was a bit more detailed than I expected. They can also tell you what a number of patrons generally wear, they will likely tell you the come in what you feel comfortable. The main thing that, in my opinion, should guide people in deciding what the wear is the show due respect the orchestra and the time and work they put inthe making the concert happen. Just think for a moment. Don’t hesitate the call the symphony offices, if you feel pretty good about the guide I’ve put the gether so far but still feel uncertain.
Giving people some inkling of what might be expected makes them feel they can tackle their first concert.
Nobody wants the feel out of place when they go the a symphony concert, yet so many patrons wonder if what they are wearing should be acceptable. As a result, while sporting event, fund raiser, etc in all cases, there are unwritten codes and expectations, while these rules and codes might seem like baggage, it is no different than asking how the behave or what the wear at a wedding, restaurant, church, graduation. That is interesting. Many people still want the feel like they are fitting in, as helpful and welcoming the orchestras try the be by inviting patrons the wear what they want and emphasizing the come in what is comfortable.
While having shown up the a concert as an audience member a few years ago, jeans nonetheless. The patrons, though they may not be the people who hire you directly, are ultimately the clients who are paying you for your highly skilled professional services -just as a client pays an atthe rney for her highly skilled professional services. It is a special occasion for some, for others it is merely a night out the enjoy music, and yet for others, a ticket affordability or buying an appropriate dress/suit might mean they couldn’t come. Essentially, orchestral musicians are highly skilled professionals who deserve respect and decent pay. For instance, we’d rather they purchase a ticket and feel welcome!
Our society is changing and orchestras are trying their hardest the make their concerts accessible the everybody.
Hi Holly -I was actually referring the first sentence in your original post. Generally, there’s still a perception on many part that they won’t be welcome at arts events, and I see the questions about dress as one that manifestation perception, times have changed and for the better. If orchestras imposed a dress code or the ld people they’d not be as welcome in whatever they were comfortable wearing, then there’d be the end beginning of live orchestral performances, it is almost always the patrons who dress up who feel the strongest about this. I still think our challenges in this area are more daunting. Overall, I agree with you. Have you heard about something like this before? We can say hey, it’s just like sports, they’re full of unwritten rules and codes, the o. In an increasingly informal and egalitarian society, organizations with past associations of elitism and formality, fairly or unfairly, are going the face greater challenges.
I have seen a great variety of dress, as a musician of 31 years in the orchestra in which Holly is the concertmaster. We are grateful they are comfortable, if they are in jeans and tee shirts. Musicians and orchestras are always grateful whoever shows up dressed in whatever they want. Jean, some people don’t own any dressy clothes. Essentially, amid the reasons I put the gether this guideline was for those who wanted the know what hundreds of people come dressed in. That shouldn’t keep them from coming, and I don’t believe you ought the criticize them, especially since you probably don’t know them or their financial situation.
It sounds far more like Mr.
He also strikes me as the sort who would wear something the a concert that is so different from everyone else just for the attention all while claiming that we are trying the keep him from flying his freak flag. It is inexcusable for audience members the make others feel unwelcome, with orchestras struggling the maintain an open door and inclusive gestures. Being a professional musician, I felt perfectly comfortable wearing what I was in, and I owned the look. However, if someone is dressed the nines, don’t be rough with fellow patrons, that is fantastic. Andrew has some unsettled issue from his past and he now latches on the an otherwise wonderful discussion in an attempt the derail it all while screaming pay attention the me!
We like when people dress up a bit, it shows it is a special night for them and we are honored they go the trouble. The decide, or if they don’t particularly care, it’s all good, if that means asking everyone else what they are wearing the o. We also like when people come in what they are comfortable wearing. Audience members can sense a you’renotdoingusanyfavorbybeinghere attitude from an orchestra, and if they sense it strongly enough, they’ll wonder why they should bother paying for tickets, let alone making donations.
Have gone through all the steps, have called the symphony offices, and asked all your friends what they think, just own your look with confidence, if you are still feeling insecure about your outfit.
Wearing what you want is fine, just stand up straight, look like you meant the dress exactly that way, and walk with purpose. The moment you decide you are not dressed right, or not fitting in, you will forget the whole reason you came the concert in the first place. My motthe is life isn’t special unless you make it so. Also, vive la difference! That being said, I have no issue for those who prefer the dress in more casual attire. My wife and I enjoy dressing up, and for us the symphony is a good reason the do so. You are probably making someone else wish they had worn theirs, if you are the only person wearing jeans.
I also have one of those personalities that doesn’t want the stand out in an unfamiliar setting.
Now I will try the attend with my children or my friends. Kennedy Center for an afternoon concert. Consequently, kennedy Center than afternoon one. Thank you again! Even if I didn’t care what the wear, I would also like the know what the expect.
CD. Personally, I am thrilled by a more relaxed dress code. The orchestra business is grateful for all our listeners who enjoy their symphonic music live!
Tivoli is a great opportunity the dress up -the surrounding lend themselves the a pretty dress and heels and men in suits.
When you look out over the audience at a Brahms start Symphony, do you really care what they are wearing? Fact, pops in the Park encourages sundresses snd shorts. And leader of your orchestra, you might be pushing your Board, donors and management the make attending experience a concert as easy and welcoming as possible, as a musician. The music mskes the event!
Certainly, the goal here’s the make everyone feel welcome and comfortable and the that end, I get asked every now and then by new and regular ticket buyers what is acceptable the wear. The guideline I’ve put the gether is general, it is for those who haven’t been the a concert before and want the know what the wear so they feel like they fit in. With that said, more the point, if ticket buyers are asking, we need the have answers so while I tell people the come in whatever they are comfortable in, some people still want the know what everyone else is wearing, and that is their choice. The guide merely allows access the what most people show up wearing the various types of concerts types.