Frequently Asked Questions
- I’ve never been to an orchestra concert before. What should I wear?
- Some of our patrons dress in cocktail attire, some in business casual, and some in jeans. Please wear clothing you find comfortable so you can enjoy the concert.
- When do I applaud?
- It is customary to applaud at the end of a work. Some works, however, are made up of multiple movements. In such cases, please hold your applause until the end of the entire work to prevent disrupting the musicians’ concentration. When in doubt, wait for the rest of the audience to begin clapping.
- May I take photos or videos?
- Photos, selfies, and videos may be taken before the concert, during intermission, and after the concert. Photography and video recording during the concert are very distracting to the musicians and other audience members, and are prohibited.
- How long is the concert?
- Most of our concerts are roughly 90 minutes long, including intermission.
- May I bring children to the concert?
- YES! Children are welcome at our concerts. Children 5 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
- Why does the orchestra wear black?
- The simple answer is tradition. Concerts and operas are generally in the evening, and in earlier times, formal wear (think white-tie) was the order of the day. Another reason for wearing black is so that no one stands out and distracts the other orchestra members or the audience.
- When should I arrive?
- Plan on arriving 30 minutes before concert time. That will give you time to park, get your ticket, and get seated. Once the concert begins, patrons cannot be seated until the conclusion of the first piece in the program.
- What should I do if I arrive late?
- Late seating breaks usually occur after the first piece on the program or at intermission to minimize disturbances to the orchestra and to other audience members. Latecomers who arrive after the performance has begun and those who leave the hall will be seated at an appropriate break in the program.
- Are food and drink allowed?
- The Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center does not allow food or drink in the auditorium.
- Where can I park?
- The GPMC has a 500-space parking lot. There is plenty of parking!