What to expect
Not sure what to wear, when to arrive or when to clap? Here’s all the information you need to make the most of your NZSO concert experience.
Concert types
Livestream
Enjoy the NZSO from wherever you are. Watch selected concerts live on NZSO+ and experience the excitement of a performance from the best seat in your home. Perfect for audiences across New Zealand and around the world.
Young Musicians
Celebrate the next generation of musical talent. These concerts showcase outstanding young performers from across Aotearoa, giving audiences the chance to experience emerging artists as they develop their craft alongside NZSO musicians.
Recital
Spend an evening with extraordinary soloists and guest artists as they take centre stage. These intimate performances shine a spotlight on a single artist, offering a personal and immersive concert experience.
Chamber Music
Discover music in its most intimate form. Performed by small ensembles of NZSO musicians, these concerts reveal every detail, every conversation and every emotion. Expect captivating performances in beautiful venues that bring you closer to the music and the musicians.
Family Friendly
Concerts made for little ears and big imaginations. Shorter, playful, and full of energy, these are the perfect first step into live orchestral music, whether your kids are meeting the orchestra for the first time or coming back for more. Expect familiar stories, characters, and music brought to life on stage, with plenty of room to wriggle, whisper, and wonder.
Mainstage
Experience the power of a full symphony orchestra in concerts featuring timeless classics, bold new works and world-class soloists. Whether you're discovering orchestral music for the first time or returning to favourite masterpieces, these performances showcase the very best of the NZSO live on stage.
From Kerikeri to Invercargill and everywhere in between, we perform in some of Aotearoa New Zealand's finest venues.
Accessible for everyone
Every seat in the house should feel like it's yours. From relaxed concerts with lower lighting and room to move, to wheelchair access, hearing loops, and free companion tickets, we strive to make live orchestral music something every New Zealander can enjoy.
FAQ
Whatever you find comfortable! There is no dress code for our concerts. Some patrons like to wear formal attire, but if you are happier in a t-shirt and jeans, that’s OK too.
It’s a good idea to arrive at least 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to start. This will give you plenty of time to grab a drink or treat yourself to ice cream and find your seat ready to enjoy the show.
If your concert includes a pre-concert talk, we recommend arriving at least 45 minutes before the concert starts.
Latecomers will be admitted when a suitable break occurs in the concert. This is to minimise interruptions for fellow audience members and musicians.
Links to the digital programmes are available in your pre-concert email and via the QR code on the back of the printed programme. They include information about the works being performed, as well as the artists and conductors.
We also offer free pre-concert talks at selected concerts. Presented by a selection of educators, artists and NZSO players, these talks offer insights into the composers and their music to enhance your enjoyment of each programme.
Pre-concert talks begin 45 minutes before the concert and run for approximately 30 minutes.
On average our concerts are 2 hours long, including a 20 minute interval.
Visit our What's On page and check your preferred concert for running times.
At the height of Mozart’s popularity in the 18th century, the audience were a rowdy bunch, constantly clapping and cheering. It wasn’t until the 19th century that composers like Wagner and Mahler demanded attentive listening.
These days the easiest way to know when to clap is to take your cues from the conductor; they will lower their arms and turn to the audience when the piece is finished.
Please set your mobile phones to silent before the concert and be considerate if you need to use your phone during the performance. The sound and light from mobile devices can be distracting for our players and other audience members.
For most concerts, you can take photos on your phone during the performance, but flash photography or filming is prohibited. We will let you know in the pre-concert announcement if it isn’t possible to take photos during a specific performance.
We ask that you remain quiet during the performances; even a whisper can be disturbing for other members of the audience.
We do allow you to transfer your beverages to disposable cups and bring them into the concert venue however we ask that you do not eat during the performance. Ice creams and other treats can be eaten during interval.
We perform throughout Aotearoa New Zealand in some of the country’s finest venues.
We want to ensure all of our guests have a comfortable and enjoyable time.
Please let us know of any assistance you may need when you purchase a Membership Ticket. If you are buying single tickets, please ensure the ticketing agency is aware of any assistance you may need.
Where possible, we include accessibility information for each of the venues we perform in. Find out more by visiting our Accessibility page.
That’s great! You can keep up to date with the NZSO by signing up to our monthly newsletter, eNotes. Have you thought about becoming a member? Learn about all our member benefits by visiting Become a Member.
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