First Timers' Guide

No one forgets their very first time...

..but here at the CBSO, we’d like you to remember your first concert for the right reasons.

Speak to us!

If you have any questions, please call us on 0121 616 6500, email us on info@cbso.co.uk or, if you’ve already bought your ticket, come and see us at every concert at the CBSO information desk on the ground level, opposite door 2b. We love helping people share our passion for music.

Click here to read CBSO Music Director Andris Nelsons' interview with the BBC and why he believes classical music is food for the soul.

Here are some handy hints, to help you get the most from your experience.

What exactly is classical music?

Like many forms of music, defining exactly what falls into the category ‘classical’ is difficult. Generally, classical music is played by ensembles comprised of some or all of the families of instruments: strings, woodwind, brass & percussion, and has been written any time from the 14th century right up to the present day.

How do I know if I’ll enjoy it?

The easy way is to try it! Many people like to give it a whirl with one of our Friday Night Classics - fun, tuneful concerts that feature everything from film music (30 October) to hits from some of the best-loved numbers in showbiz (9 October).

But all our concerts are also full of great music and at the start of our 2009/10 Season, highlights not to be missed include Prokofiev's Cantata for the 20th Anniversary of the October Revolution and Berlioz's Requiem.  Conducted by Valery Gergiev and joined by his legendary Mariinsky Theatre, the CBSO and Chorus perform these two spectacular masterpieces on 14 & 15 October.

Another must see performance takes place on 2 October when Saregama, in association with the CBSO, remembers one of the greatest vocalists of the 20th century, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This ambitious project aims to fuse Nusrat's most loved compositions with the might of the orchestra. Expect to be astonshied by some incredible vocals, with superhits like Dum Must Qalander and Halka, love songs like Afreen, Afreen and popular Bollywood tracks like Zindagi Jhroom Kar.

What pieces are you playing this season that I’ll recognise?

Join the CBSO and all-American maestro Carl Davis (20 November) for a night of all classic Western themes. Including music from The Magnificent Seven, High Noon, Brokeback Mountain, Dances with Wolves and much more.

On 10 & 12 November the CBSO perform The Planets by Gustav Holst. This tremendous musical odyssey, written for a super-size orchestra has been used in many films and television works. Most recently, part of Venus was used in the animated film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. And part of Jupiter was selected as the theme of the Rugby Union World Cup in 1991 under the title World in Union.

We often hear excerpts taken from classical music on television and on 10 October the CBSO perform the Overture from Verdi's La forza del destino which you may recognise as the theme music used in the Stella Artois advert.

What are all those instruments?!

A full symphony orchestra can look bewilderingly large on the stage, and it helps to understand what everyone does.

The instruments at the front of the stage are the strings. On the left hand side of the stage are the violins, the highest member of the family, followed from left to right by the violas and cellos, and finally the double basses at the back on the right.

Behind the strings sit the woodwind, generally in two rows. In the first row come the flutes and oboes, and behind them are the clarinets and bassoons. Depending on what piece is being played, you might also see the piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet or contra bassoon to help out playing very high or low notes.

Behind the woodwind you’ll see the brass. On the left of the stage are the French horns, and on the right trumpets, trombones and finally tubas. These are amongst the most powerful instruments in the orchestra.

At the very back of the stage come the percussion, dominated by the timpani (kettle drums). 

And where do the Choruses fit in?

We’re extremely proud of our five associated choruses – one for adults and four for young people – and they all regularly sing with the Orchestra. 

What should I wear?

Whatever you feel comfortable in! We believe that the most important thing is that you enjoy your evening, and while some of our audience tend to dress formally, just as many come in jeans, combat trousers, trainers or loafers!

When should I clap?

It can often be difficult to know when you are ‘supposed’ to clap.
Generally, you clap only once the piece is complete (rather than between movements). If you don’t know the piece, your concert programme will tell you how many movements there are in a particular piece. There is normally a 10-20 second pause between movements, so you should be able to work out which movement you are hearing.
If that doesn’t work, wait for everyone else to start, and then join in!

Which concerts are suitable for children?

Our Family Concerts are a great day out for young and old alike, and are a fun way of discovering the world of music, being specially created for 7-12 year olds. Join us on 15 November for Heroes and Villains, a fun-packed concert with music including The Ride of the Valkyries, The Dance of the Knights and more.

How can I find out more about classical music?

Why not come along to our pre-concert talks, designed to enhance your concert-going experience. From players’ perspectives to discussions with composers, often illustrated with live or recorded examples, you are certain to discover something new!

Join us each month for the CBSO podcast, which is an exclusive magazine show that includes introductions to pieces coming up in the season and a classical 'A-Z' of music terms.

What about accessible facilities at Symphony Hall and CBSO Centre?

Symphony Hall and CBSO Centre are both fully accessible for people with disabilities. Infra-red systems for the hearing impaired are available on request in both venues, and Braille concert programmes can be ordered direct from the CBSO by calling 0121 616 6500.

And refreshments?

Symphony Hall is well served for bars for interval drinks, which can be pre-ordered before each concert, and there’s also the Coffee Terrace, which is open before the concerts too.

If you fancy a meal pre or post concert, check out our recommended watering holes

Back to Top