Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

Absolutely! The Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center is fully ADA-compliant. We encourage you to call or email the HSO office with any questions in advance of your visit. Upon your arrival, you can find assistance at the HSO box office or from any of our volunteer ushers. info@hso.org, 255-539-4818

There is no standard dress code. You’ll see a variety of attire at HSO performances, from formal cocktail wear to T-shirts and jeans. For the most part, you will find our audience goes for a “happy medium”. Think clothing appropriate for church or what some would call business casual. Others consider a symphony evening to be quite the affair and dress in their finest. We just want you to feel comfortable and welcome. No matter the attire, we’re always happy to see you!

*In cooler weather, remember that most major HSO concerts in the Von Braun Center will have a coat check service in operation in the lobby.

Yes, we suggest you arrive early. The HSO box office and the venue doors open approximately one hour before the advertised concert start time. Most of our concerts take place in the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the Von Braun Center. The VBC is a busy venue in the heart of downtown Huntsville – traffic can sometimes be thick and parking lines can be time-consuming. If you’re on our email list as a ticket purchaser or series subscriber, you will generally receive a warning in advance if traffic or parking issues are expected at your upcoming event. Please visit our parking page for the most up-to-date information about parking at or near the VBC. In situations where traffic or parking problems have seriously delayed audience arrival, the HSO may hold five-ten minutes after the advertised start time to begin the performance – please note that this is not always possible.

If you have specific questions about food or drink, feel free to ask our wonderful volunteer ushers or HSO staff.

Classical Series

Bars and concessions are usually open for our Mark C. Smith Concert Hall performances, but concessions are not allowed past portal doors for Classical Series concerts. You must consume food and drinks before taking your seat for the performance or during intermission.

Pops Series

Concessions are typically allowed in your seats for Pops Series concerts and for our FREE Family Concert.

Traditionally, in a piece of classical music that consists of multiple movements, the audience holds its applause until the end of the final movement. This is to allow the entire work to be heard as a unit, preserving the magic of silence between the movements. Which, in a sense, can be considered part of the composition itself. (You can find usually information about the format and length of pieces in your HSO program or on each concert’s info page.)

However, clapping between movements has become more common these days – and historically, at concerts in the era of Mozart or Beethoven, it was generally expected. So, it’s not necessarily a faux pas.

Helpful tip: if you’re uncertain of when to clap, do as the orchestra does and simply watch the maestro. The conductor and the orchestra will visibly relax on stage when they are expecting your applause. But your show of appreciation is always welcome.

It’s all about respecting the integrity of the performance while maximizing your enjoyment and that of fellow audience members. Photography and video recording are not allowed. Texting or talking during the performance should be avoided, as this is distracting to others, including the musicians. Please try to refrain from shuffling papers, crinkling wrappers, or coughing in quiet or silent moments. Remember that most HSO performances are professionally audio-recorded for our archives. We also ask that you consider limiting or avoiding the use of colognes or perfumes, as nearby audience members may have serious allergies to such products.

The best time to exit the concert hall is during intermission or between pieces of music. We discourage moving around the hall during concerts. It can be very distracting to fellow audience members and the performers. If you must get up during a performance, please find the nearest exit and try to be as quiet as you can. If you have an emergency, let one of our ushers know and they will help you as best as possible.

Program length varies.

• Classical and Pops performances tend to last approximately two hours, though some may be a little longer or shorter. In most cases, there will be an intermission of fifteen to twenty minutes in the middle of the program.
• Casual Classics concerts and the FREE Family concert are typically closer to one hour in duration.