To outsiders, classical music can seem like an ancient ritual, an activity that you can only enjoy as a member of a secret organization. If you didn’t grow up attending classical concerts, how do you learn how they work? It can be intimidating, especially when everyone else seems to know exactly what's going on.
We would love to answer any questions you might have to help you to have a wonderful experience at one of our concerts. Below are several commonly asked questions that many people wished they had known before coming to their first symphony concert. If you have a question that you don't see answered below, please ask us. You can send us a message on Facebook, Twitter, or by email. Your question might even be added to our list.
Click on a question below to read the answer.
Ticket prices can vary depending on what type of concert you are going to, and where it is. We have two categories; Masterworks, and Pops.
Masterworks concerts are $49.99 for adults and seniors, $10 for Youth (under 19), and $15 for Soundcheck members. (More information about the Soundcheck program below). Masterworks concerts in Salmon Arm are $35 for adults and seniors, and $10 for youth. Pops concerts are $49.99 for adults and seniors, $10 for Youth, and $15 for Soundcheck members. There are a couple of ways to find some savings on tickets as well:
Buy in bulk. This can be a full season subscription, a flex pass, or one of our bundle packages. Check out our ticket page for more information.
If you are between the ages of 19 and 34, you can sign up for our KSOundcheck program. It's free to join, and you can buy tickets to all our concerts for only $15. You can get a second ticket for a friend for an additional $15, even if they don't qualify for the program themselves. Check out our KSOundcheck page for more information.
First and foremost, you should be comfortable. We don't have a dress code, so do what feels right for you. If you love a good excuse to dress to the nines, go for it. We promise you won't be the only one dressed up. Or if you would prefer to keep it more casual, we can also promise you won't be the only one dressed casually. We're happy to have you join us and hope you have a wonderful concert experience; your concert attire doesn't matter. We do ask that you refrain from wearing perfumes and colognes for the comfort of all our guests and performers.
TL;DR:
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:24pm PDT
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Sep 24, 2019 at 3:24pm PDT
In the early days of classical music, audiences were a little more rowdy—a lot more clapping, talking, etc. More like being at a rock concert, except before rock music even existed. Then in the early 20th Century this began to change, and the new normal was to wait until the very end of a piece of music to clap, never between movements. The problem is that not everyone knows about this unwritten rule, and so there is usually someone who finds themselves feeling awkward after the first movement of a work because no one else is clapping. Here is an example programme with notes on when most people are going to applaud:
Energetic Opening Piece by Composer (applause) Concerto with Guest Artist by Another Composer 1. First Movement (short pause, no applause) 2. Second Movement (short pause, no applause) 3. Third Movement (applause) INTERMISSION Symphony No. X by Yet Another Composer 1. First Movement (short pause, no applause) 2. Second Movement (short pause, no applause) 3. Third Movement (short pause, no applause) 4. Fourth Movement (applause)
That said, if you feel moved to applaud before one of these "allowed" times, feel free to do so. Nobody on the stage is going to glare at you or try to make you feel bad. They're probably going to be quite pleased to hear that you are enjoying the performance.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Feb 20, 2020 at 3:47pm PST
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Feb 20, 2020 at 3:47pm PST
Hate is a strong word. What we don't like are phones ringing, chirping, buzzing, or making any other noises during the performance, or when your phone is lighting up like a strobe light—just like people do not enjoy that at a movie theatre. We do like it when people have fun and share their experiences with others, so go ahead and check in on Facebook, Tweet about being at the concert, take a selfie and post it on Instagram if that's your thing, just please make sure your phone is silent when the music is happening out of consideration for the performers and your fellow audience members. Also, please tag us when you post online!
You are welcome to take pictures in the auditorium before the concert begins, at intermission, and after the concert has ended. If you get a good picture at the concert and want to post it, don't forget to tag us in it too. We'd love to see it! The use of cameras, smartphones, and/or other recording devices for commercial reproduction or sale is strictly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra.
Concert lengths can vary somewhat, depending on what is being performed and how long each piece is, but are generally in the 2 hour range, including intermission. A Masterworks concert usually begins with an overture or other shorter work around 10 minutes long, followed by a concerto with the guest soloist which is usually around 20-30 minutes long, then a 20 minute intermission. The second half of the concert is usually a full symphony with multiple movements, which can last from 40-60 minutes depending on how much the composer wrote (and how excited the conductor is). A Pops concert will have a different format depending on what is on the program, but will also be generally about 2 hours long, including intermission.
Generally in the centre and back a little from the front is a good place to sit, as that helps to let the sound blend together a little more before it gets to your ears. Plus, you can see the musicians better when you aren't right in the front row, and it can be a lot of fun to watch them as they play. If there is a piano soloist performing, some people prefer to sit more to the left to get a better view of the pianist's hands as they perform.
A principal is the leader of the group of musicians playing that instrument. Each instrumental group (usually called a section) has a principal who is generally responsible for leading the section and playing solos. The violins in the orchestra are divided into two sections, first violins and second violins, each with their own principal.
The principal first violin is also the concertmaster, and is typically the second-most prominent person in the orchestra, after the conductor. The concertmaster makes decisions about bowing and other technical details of string playing, is responsible for leading the orchestra in tuning before rehearsals and concerts, and other technical aspects of orchestra management.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Nov 20, 2019 at 1:41pm PST
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Nov 20, 2019 at 1:41pm PST
Wikipedia says that a concerto "is a musical composition usually composed in three movements, in which, usually, one solo instrument (for instance, a piano, violin, cello or flute) is accompanied by an orchestra or concert band." In other words, it's a piece of music that features a soloist with the orchestra backing them up. It is an Italian word that basically means "agreeing" or "playing together." A concerto is a great opportunity for the soloist to really show off their amazing skills as a musician.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:54am PDT
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Nov 1, 2019 at 10:54am PDT
Wikipedia says "A movement is a self-contained part of a musical composition or musical form." Movements are different sections of the piece of music. They can be short, or long, and usually each movement has its own beginning, middle, and end, with a short pause between movements. (Sometimes one movement will flow directly into the next without any break at all) Movements are kind of like the different movies in a trilogy - they combine together to tell the full story of the musical piece, whether it is a concerto or a symphony.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Jan 16, 2020 at 12:28pm PST
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Jan 16, 2020 at 12:28pm PST
A symphony is a large-scale musical composition (usually with four movements). An orchestra is a group of musicians with a variety of instruments. There are two types of orchestra: a Chamber Orchestra, and a Symphony Orchestra.
A Chamber Orchestra is smaller, performing works written for smaller private halls, parlours, and palace chambers (where the name "chamber music" comes from). A Symphony Orchestra is much larger, with enough players and different types of instruments (violins, clarinets, French horns, etc.) required to perform a symphony.
So, why does everyone call a Symphony Orchestra just a symphony? The answer is remarkably simple: it's shorter. That's it. It's shorter and easier to say, and nowadays everyone shortens Symphony Orchestra to simply just Symphony. It technically doesn't even make sense, since the word "symphony" here is describing the size of the orchestra, so we're essentially just saying "The Kamloops Big" (but big WHAT?!?!?). And yet, we all do it because it's shorter and easier to say.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:28pm PDT
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Mar 16, 2020 at 2:28pm PDT
Also, there is often confusion between a Symphony Orchestra and a Philharmonic Orchestra. They are both the same thing... mostly. Both orchestras are typically the same same size and perform the same type of music. The word "philharmonic" means "devoted to music" and the term is most often used to help tell the difference between two orchestra in the same area - for example the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra.
If you've been to a concert before, you'll notice that before they being performing the orchestra tunes up. But you may wonder why they always tune to the oboe. What makes the oboe so special?
The first orchestras were mainly formed by string players. Oboes were added in initially just to strengthen the sound of the first and second violins, and then composers quickly realized that the oboe's bright, singing tone could be utilized much better, and the oboes got their own unique parts.
The oboe has a penetrating sound that stands out from the rest of the orchestra, making it easy for all the musicians on stage to hear. Its pitch is also steadier than strings, making it a more reliable tuning source. There's also the longevity factor: flutes, bassoons, French horns, and clarinets have all drifted in and out of the orchestra, but the oboe has almost always been written into orchestral scores.
ALTERNATIVE REASON The instrument maker Yamaha offers this theory: The only way of altering the pitch of an oboe is to adjust the breadth or length of the reeds; it is nearly impossible to make any sudden changes on the day of a performance. It is difficult to adjust the pitch of an oboe. Therefore the other instruments in a performance must be made to match, and that is why the oboe is the standard for tuning.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Apr 1, 2020 at 2:11pm PDT
A post shared by Kamloops Symphony (@kamsymphony) on Apr 1, 2020 at 2:11pm PDT
We only have a few rehearsals together before each performance. For a typical Masterworks concert, we will have 4 rehearsals (including the dress rehearsal) and then the concert. For a typical Pops concert, we only have 2 rehearsals before the show.
Each musician is given their parts well in advance of the concert, and they come to the first rehearsal having already fully learned their parts. This way rehearsals can focus solely on making sure all the moving parts are fitting together properly, as well as the balance, blend, and shaping of the music.
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