Concerts
Concert FAQs
Welcome to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the world of classical music. If you are attending your first symphony performance, you may want answers to some of the following frequently asked questions:
- What is classical music ?
- What is a symphony orchestra ?
- How many players are there in the Orchestra ?
- Will I recognise the music ?
- Do I need to know the music before I attend a performance ?
- What should I wear ?
- Can I bring my cellular phone ?
- May I take pictures ?
- What if I need to cough ?
- When should I arrive ?
- What if I am late ?
- When do I applaud ?
- How long is a typical performance ?
- How can I buy a programme ?
- Are the concerts suitable for children ?
There is lots of information in the Concerts section of this website about forthcoming NZSO concerts. If you would like to receive regular email updates about concerts from us, or to receive brochures and information by post, please email marketing or call 0800 479 674
What is classical music?
The term "classical music" generally refers to music written for a group of musicians who play orchestral instruments: strings (such as violins and cellos), woodwinds (such as flutes and clarinets), brass (such as trumpets and French horns), and percussion (such as the timpani, or kettledrums).
Most orchestral music is written in one of two forms: a symphony or a concerto. A symphony is a major work, played by the entire orchestra. Most symphonies have two or more parts, called "movements". Some of the best-known classical symphonies have four movements: the first is fast; the second is slow; the third is music for a dance, such as a minuet; and the last movement, or the finale, is fast. A concerto is a musical composition performed by the orchestra and a soloist - who play in dialogue with one another. Most concertos have three movements.
During the performance there is a short, silent pause between each movement of a piece. You can determine how many movements there are in a piece, and how many silent pauses there will be, by looking at your programme - the movements in each piece will be listed there. Applause is usually reserved for the end of the final movement of the piece, after the conductor has signalled the end of the final note with his or her baton or hand.
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What is a symphony orchestra?
Quite simply, a ‘symphony orchestra’ is the generic term used to describe the largest type of orchestra typically requiring around 90 - 110 players. This is in contrast to the smaller, ‘chamber orchestra’.
A symphony orchestra is made up for four sections: strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion. The instruments featured in each section include:
Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
Woodwinds: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon
Brass: trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba
Percussion: timpani, harp, xylophone
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How many players are there in the Orchestra?
The NZSO has 90 full-time musicians, and some contract players who are required for larger repertoire performances. Different music works require different orchestral forces, so in any one concert the number of players and which instruments are on stage, are a direct result of the composer's requirements. If it's a Mahler Symphony, you'll see 100 or more players. If it's a work by Bach or Mozart, you could see as few as eight or ten players.
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Will I recognise the music?
It is very likely that you will recognise parts of many symphonies, concertos and choral works (classical music performed by an orchestra, vocal soloist, or choir). Music written by the great classical composers is often used in movie soundtracks, television shows, and commercials.
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Do I need to know the music before I attend a performance?
No. One of the great joys of going to an NZSO concert is being introduced to a great piece of music you've never heard before, or listening to a superb performance of a piece you haven't heard in years. Some regular concert-goers do find they appreciate the performance more if they listen to a recording of the piece before the concert, so they can better anticipate their favourite parts, or listen for virtuoso playing of the more difficult passages. And many audience members find it enhances their enjoyment of the music if they take the time before the performance to read the notes in the programme about the composer and the pieces that are to be played.
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What should I wear?
Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Contrary to what many people think, formal attire - such as tuxedos and evening gowns - is not required at NZSO concerts. You'll see concertgoers in suits, sweaters, skirts, jeans, dresses - everything. Many people do, however, wear smart clothes for classical concerts, perhaps because they are coming straight from work or the evening is an outing for a special occasion.
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Can I bring my mobile phone?
Please turn off your mobile phone or pager before entering the performance. Noises such as a phone ringing are very distracting to the conductor, the musicians and your fellow audience members.
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May I take pictures?
The use of still, video and digital cameras, mobile phone cameras or audio recording equipment is strictly prohibited at all times.
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What if I need to cough?
Coughing is an unavoidable problem. However, there are ways to avoid coughing during the music. If you feel a cold coming on, please bring lozenges with you. If there are no lozenges on hand and you need to cough, please try to wait for the end of the movement. If that's not possible, you can try to bury your cough in a louder section of the music. Also, a handkerchief or scarf will help to muffle the disruption. If you need to cough more than a couple of times, there's nothing wrong with getting up and excusing yourself from the auditorium for the rest of the movement.
Following these guidelines will show sensitivity to your neighbours, and allow everyone to have a more enjoyable concert experience.
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When should I arrive?
We suggest you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. That will give you ample time to find your seat, relax, read the programme notes, and watch the musicians as they take the stage. Preconcert talks are offered before many performances, look out for details of these in the advertisements in your local paper.
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What if I am late?
The auditorium doors are closed once each performance has commenced, and latecomers are not admitted until a suitable break in the performance.
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When do I applaud?
There are two reasons to applaud at an NZSO concert: as a greeting, and to show appreciation. Just before the concert begins, the orchestra members will all be seated on the stage, except for the Concertmaster - the violinist who sits in the first chair of the first row of the orchestra. You applaud to greet the Concertmaster when he comes onstage. You applaud again a few moments later when the Conductor comes on stage. Any soloists who will be performing will usually come onstage with the conductor; you applaud to greet the soloist or soloists as well.
Once the performance begins, you'll notice in your programme book that many musical works have three or more movements or sections. A short pause often follows each movement. It is customary to refrain from applauding during these pauses. After the final movement of a work, applaud to your heart's content.
If you still aren't certain when to applaud, a good sign is when the conductor either turns around or steps off the podium. If all else fails, you can always wait for the rest of the audience to begin clapping!
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How long is a typical performance?
Although concert length varies, most NZSO performances are about two hours, including one 20-minute interval. The length of each work in the concert is stated at the end of each programme note in the printed programme.
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How can I buy a programme?
Programmes can be bought at the venue from one hour before the concert's start time and during the interval. The cost of programs is $5 for subscribers and $6 for non subscribers.
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Are the concerts suitable for children?
We have special Education concerts for all age groups which are an ideal introduction to classical music. Please visit our Education information on this website. Our main evening concerts are certainly suitable for 11 - 18 year olds, and some programmes can be enjoyed by younger children if you feel that they would be interested. Please ring our Client Services team if you are unsure.
