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First Time Symphony FAQs
Q: How should I dress for a Symphony concert?
A: As with most things in New Mexico, a New Mexico Symphony Orchestra concert is not a formals-only event. Tux and tails are NOT required, nor are jackets and ties, though you could dress up if you wish. Most patrons dress “business casual” with collared shirts, slacks, and long dresses. As with any public place, shirts and shoes are required.
Q: What time should I arrive?
A: Most patrons arrive 30-15 minutes before show time in order to be seated at show time. Many arrive earlier to enjoy a cup of coffe or soft drink and visit with friends in the lobby before the show. The doors to the performance hall are closed by the ushers at the designated show time. Once the doors are closed, late arrivals will be allowed in after the first piece is done. There are video monitors located in the lobby in case you are delayed.
Q: When should I clap?
A: For Classics shows, it is polite to wait until all the movements of an entire symphony or concerto have been performed before applauding. At Pops shows, since they are usually consisting completely of smaller, individual songs or works, applause after each piece is generally warranted. Keep an eye on the program page (listing the works performed in your concert) to see when these breaks occur. It’s easy!
Q: What does the conductor do?
A: Keeping 75 to 100 professional musicians playing in perfect synchronization is no easy task. Much like a corporation needs a CEO to make the big decisions or a pro football team needs a coach to call plays during a game, an orchestra conductor leads the orchestra in both the timing and style of its performance. He or she also makes many decisions on interpreting the composer’s work in their own unique way, making each symphony performance a one-of-a-kind treasure.
Q: What’s the difference between a symphony and a concerto?
A: A symphony is a work consisting of several movements (or segments) usually involving the entire orchestra. A concerto is a work, usually consisting of three movements, which features the orchestra plus a soloist on the work’s featured instrument. A piano concerto, for example, would feature an expert pianist for the solo portions of the work.
Q: What does “Allegro non troppo” or other such words on a program mean?
A: These words indicate the tempo, or speed, of a movement.
• Largo – slowly, broadly
• Adagio - slowly
• Lento – moderately slow
• Andante - at a walking speed
• Moderato - a moderate tempo
• Allegretto – fast, but not as fast as allegro
• Allegro - quickly
• Presto – very fast
Qualifiying phrases like “non troppo” (not too much) or “poco” (a little) can be added to the above words to specify a needed digression.
Q: Where does the Symphony play?
A: The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra plays its Classics Series and Pops Series concerts at Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus. We also perform our Sunday Matinee Series and Koncerts 4 Kids at the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Journal Theatre. Each spring, the Symphony plays its Symphony Under The Stars series of outdoor family concerts at the Rio Grande Zoo of the Albuquerque Biological Park. We have also done a special concert at Sandia Casino each spring.
Q: How can I buy my New Mexico Symphony Orchestra tickets?
A: There are several ways to buy tickets to the Symphony! To puchase tickets, visit NMSO.org online, call 881-8999 or come to the Symphony Store at 4407 Menaul NE (Menaul at Washington) in Albuquerque.
Tickets can also be purchased through either Tickets.com or Ticketmaster (or their outlets), depending on where the event is being held. (Popejoy Hall events = Tickets.com. National Hispanic Cultural Center, Rio Grande Zoo or Sandia Casino events = Ticketmaster.)
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