The Orchestra is moving to a more accessible environment with live streaming continuing after the pandemic.

This means it’s open to new people.

But with this opportunity we also have the audience embarking on their first time at an orchestral performance.

So here is your Dummies guide on what to do and what to expect:

 What to wear?                                                                                                                                                                                                  

When it comes to dress codes it can be hard to know what to wear for an occasion such as this.

if you look at what the musicians wear you may be intimidated.

the men wear white tie dress which consists of tuxedos (with tails or without) and white shirts and ties.

the women wear either long black dresses or pantsuits.

but fear not, if your in the audience the dress code is much less strict and far more relaxed.

you can go for a tuxedo or a little black dress – But converse and jeans will do to.

When to cheer?                                                                                                                                                                                         

Another important thing to know before going to an orchestral concert is the unspoken rules on when you cheer!

The appropriate times to clap are when the conductor enters the stage and exits and after each and after every musical number, not each movement.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if it is the end of a movement or the whole number.

So for your first time I would suggest following the audience for when to cheer.

One other thing to note with this is that while the musicians are playing there is complete silence from the audience, so much so that if they all of a sudden stopped you could hear a pin drop. 

Accessibility – live stream.                                                                                                                                                                                  

One thing that is new recently is the different ways you can now watch and be involved in these concerts.

Since the pandemic live streaming has become something that companies have put in place.

BSO Live has continued this in order to make orchestral concerts more accessible to everyone. 

The continuous bows.                                                                                                                                                                                       

Going back to the topic of clapping, For your first time at an Orchestral concert it’s important to prepare your hands.

One tradition that follows is the multiple bows from the conductor and soloists.

The history behind bows is to show the audience that you are thankful for the applause.

As is it impossible to say thank you and be heard over the applause to show appreciation, the musicians will continue to bow until the applause dies down.

This means that the applause can last a while so making sure your hands can take it is important!