Your First Concert

We invite you to enjoy the music, sights and energy that create the total live concert experience. Feel free to sign up to receive our program notes in advance by emailing newsletter@a2so.com.

To ensure your concert experience will be exciting and satisfying, we offer answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about Ann Arbor and your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.

What Should I Wear? A night at the Symphony is an excellent excuse to make an evening of it and “dress to the nines.” Of course, it is equally appropriate to dress casually. It is most important that you enjoy your Symphony experience. So, although the music itself is sophisticated, the event is by no means be stuffy or intimidating.

When Should I Arrive? Your evening can begin an hour before the concert with a captivating lecture and demonstration sponsored by Wright Griffin Davis & Co., PLLC about the music you will hear during the performance. Exuberant Music Director Arie Lipsky will guide you through the program in this complimentary event. If you are not attending the lecture, plan to arrive at the theater at least 15 minutes prior to the concert to be comfortably seated in time to experience the program.

What If I Lose or Forget my Tickets? If you lose your tickets or leave them at home, you can still attend the concert. We have records of all purchases and can replace your tickets quickly and easily in advance or at the “Will Call” table in the outer lobby.

What If I Can’t Make It to the Concert at All? If you are unable to give your tickets to a friend, please don’t leave your seats empty! Call the office by 5:00 pm the day of a concert to return your tickets for a tax deduction or exchange your tickets for a different performance this season.

What If I’m Late? Late arrivals will be seated at the first appropriate seating break in the music out of consideration for the performers and other patrons. Occasionally, late-comers will not be able to be seated in their assigned seats until intermission.

Where Do I Go?

How Do I Get to Downtown Ann Arbor?

From the east via I-94 Take exit 177 (State Street), turn right. Go three miles north on State Street to downtown area (see map on next page). From the east via M-14 Get off at exit 3 (Downtown Ann Arbor/Main Street). Go south about one mile on Main Street. Turn left at the light at either Washington or Liberty (see map on next page).

From the west via I-94 Take exit 177, turn left. Go three miles north on State Street to downtown area. From the south via US-23 Take US-23 to I-94 west. Get off at the State Street exit (number 177), turn right. Go three miles north on State Street to downtown area (see map below).

From the north via US-23 Take US-23 to west M-14. Get off at exit 3 (Downtown Ann Arbor/Main Street). Go south about a mile on Main Street. Turn left at the light at either Washington or Liberty (see map).

Where Should I Park? Ann Arbor has a thriving downtown, so make sure you leave ample time to find parking before your concert. If you are unable to find street parking, there are three parking structures nearby (refer to the map on the next page for details): The Maynard Street Structure is located on Maynard Street between Liberty and William. You will be charged by the hour and pay as you leave. (Best if you’re running late.) The Liberty Square Structure is on Washington between State and Division. Pay at the machine as you enter with $2 cash or coin. (Best if you’re coming early.) The University of Michigan Thayer Street parking structure is on Thayer between N University and Washington. An attendant will collect the fee as you enter.

CLICK HERE FOR PARKING INFORMATION

What Can I Do Before the Concert? Ann Arbor’s downtown area offers shopping and dining experiences for all tastes. In the immediate vicinity of our performance venues, patrons will find an incredible variety of clothing, music and book stores. Nickels Arcade, one of the first indoor shopping plazas in Michigan, is home to a quaint assortment of shops and boutiques. Should you care to dine before your evening with the Symphony, you’ll find numerous coffee shops, restaurants and ice cream shops. From fine dining to student diner and from American favorites to global delicacies, you’ll be sure to find something to tempt your palate within easy walking distance of our performance venue and parking.

Feel like sight-seeing? Visit some of the nearby points of interest like Kempf House, Burton Memorial Tower and the U-M Central Campus. You’ll love what Ann Arbor’s “entertainment capital” has to offer!

Where Do I Go When I Get Inside the Theater? A friendly usher will take you to your seats and hand you a program. Large print or children’s program notes are available from your usher on request. Michigan Theater Facilities: The theater has restrooms on the balcony and main floor and concessions in the lobby. Entrances to the theater, the first floor restroom facilities, and select seating are barrier free. A Phonic Ear hearing assistance system is available upon request. Call 734/668-8397 for more information.

When Do I Clap? Clap when the Concertmaster (leader of the violin section) stands before the concert to tune the other musicians. The Concertmaster usually has the hardest violin part to play and helps prepare the orchestra for the concert. Clap when the Conductor or soloist comes on stage. We know they haven’t actually done anything yet, but you can correctly assume that they’ve worked hard to get ready for the concert and you’re showing your support and appreciation. Clap when an entire work is finished. WARNING! Most symphonic works are broken up into sections called “movements” with short pauses in between. It is best if you do not clap in between movements, or you will break the “mood” or connection from one section to the next. However, if your enthusiasm gets away from you and you applaud at the “wrong time,” it is perfectly okay. After all, that means the emotion of the piece worked!

Program Information. We offer several versions of program notes for you to learn about the concerts’ music: Standard, large print andchildren’s.  Ask your usher if you’d like one of our unique program notes offerings.

What Instruments are in the Orchestra? While the number of musicians required for each concert may vary from piece to piece, each piece uses instruments from the four basic families.

The String Family

The strings sit in the front section of the orchestra because their sound is softer and could be drowned out if they sat further back. They also tend to play more than the other instruments. The strings are divided into six sections: First violin is the highest in pitch and usually plays the melody.  Second violin is still a violin but often plays a complimentary part to the first violins.  Viola is the same shape as the violin but is slightly larger and therefore has a lower sound.  Although it has the same hourglass shape, the cello is too large to hold under the chin. It is rested on the floor while the cellist sits in a chair.  Bass is the largest and lowest string instrument. Players must stand or sit on tall stools to play.  Harp looks like a piano on its side, with foot pedals that resemble a clutch to raise and lower the pitch of each string.

The Woodwind Family

Woodwind instruments use a vibrating air column to produce many different musical sounds. Despite their name, they are not all made of wood. The woodwind family has a total of six members:  Piccolo is the smallest and highest instrument. At only one foot in length, a single piccolo’s high tones can easily be heard over the rest of the orchestra.  Flute is one of the highest instruments in the orchestra and often mimics the violin.  Clarinet produces a smooth, velvety sound.  Oboe looks like a clarinet but has a stronger sound.  English horn is neither English nor a horn and produces a sound slightly lower than the oboe.  Bassoon plays the lowest notes of the woodwind chords in a rich and mellow sound.

The Brass Family

The brass is the loudest of the instruments and sits in the back of the orchestra. Musicians control tone through mouthpieces into which they buzz their lips. The brass family has four main members:  Trumpet is the highest pitched brass instrument.  Trombone is lower than the trumpet and has a sliding valve to control pitch.  French horn, or just Horn, is a round, curlicue instrument that produces the smoothest sound in the brass family.