FAQs
General questions
The CSO Box Office has immediate access to verify your purchase. If you have lost your tickets or did not receive them in the mail, simply speak with a CSO representative in the Box Office at the concert and we will reprint your tickets for you!
Children are welcome and encouraged to attend all CSO concerts. Concerts typically last for 2 hours, with a 15-20 minute intermission approximately 45 minutes into the concert. Some concerts may be more appropriate for children, such as our CSO Family Concert or Home for the Holidays matinee. For Masterworks performances, children 17 and under are admitted free with a paid adult admission. For other regular series concert, there is a $15 ticket price for children under the age of 18.
Yes! Our major performance venues are ADA compliant. Please let the box office know when ordering tickets if you require special seating or are in a wheelchair so they can make the appropriate seating arrangement. Please see an usher or CSO staff member if you require extra assistance
For concerts at the Memorial Auditorium, there is a large amount of street parking and also several lots and garages where you may pay to park.
For concerts at Chattanooga State, park in any campus lot.
For concerts at Volkswagen, there is a free, large parking lot in front of and to the left of the entrance.
CSO performance times vary, but are about two hours long with at least one 20 minute intermission.
After purchasing a ticket and entering the performance hall or lobby, a greeter will give you a program book. Should you require a signature for a class, please ask a volunteer to help you find a CSO staff member who can sign for you after the concert.
Concert Etiquette
The Box Office at the Memorial opens 1 1/2 hours before the concert start time and the Box Office at other venues opens 1 hour before the concert start time. Doors open, typically, one hour prior to concert start time. If you need to buy a ticket, it's best to get there early so you can get the best seat. If you already have your ticket or need to pick it up at Will Call, arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime will give you plenty of time to find parking, avoid any lines, people watch, and browse through the program.
There is not a dress code for the CSO; come in something that makes you comfortable. Masterworks performances generally tend to be the most formal and people typically dress in "Sunday best" or business meeting attire. Pops, Volkswagen, and Chamber performances are a little more relaxed, with attire ranging from jeans to dresses and suits.
The Box Office remains open 30 minutes after the start of the program. If you are not seated by the time the Orchestra begins playing the program, you will have to wait until a break in the music or intermission to take your seat.
CSO musicians LOVE to hear people applauding. But, sometimes at a classical concert, there are times when you don’t applaud. For our Barnett & Company Masterworks concerts, people generally clap after the entire piece is done. There may be three or four “parts” or movements in each piece, but it’s best to wait until after the entire piece is performed and the conductor has dropped the baton. For Pops, Chamber, and Volkswagen concerts, applause depends on what was just played and any soloists. If in doubt, watch for the conductor to completely lower their arms and begin to acknowledge the orchestra. If still in doubt, wait until others are clapping and follow their lead!
Even the smallest sounds are amplified in a performance hall. Before the performance begins, please unwrap candy, turn down hearing aids and turn off all pagers, cell phones, beepers, and watch alarms. Photography and sound recordings are not permitted. While we hope you are excited to discuss the performance post-concert, we ask that you please refrain from holding conversations while a piece is being performed. Avoiding these and other distractions help create an environment in which the music can be heard and enjoyed by all. If you are a student and would like to take notes for your paper, please ask the box office or an usher to seat you close to the stage or towards the back of the hall so you can have some light to write.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, please contact:
box.office@chattanoogasymphony.org
423-267-8583 (Tu – Fr, 10 AM – 3 PM)