The Boston Pops: Fashion and Etiquette Tips for Enjoying the Symphony
Life is all about new experiences and many people who visit Boston like the idea of getting a ticket to see the Boston Pops, otherwise known as the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The symphony orchestra are affectionately known as the Boston Pops and is an experience you will not forget during your time in the city.
Despite the fact that a night with the Boston Pops is a highly enjoyable experience, it can be a little bit intimidating for those that can be a bit intimidated or unsure of what to expect and how to blend in with the rest of the crowd.
First-timers
We all have to start somewhere and even the most seasoned concert-goers who regularly attend concerts by a symphony orchestra, will have been a little daunted and out of their comfort zone in the beginning.
The key thing about going to see a symphony orchestra like the Boston Pops is that you want to be able to enjoy the experience and appreciate the music, rather than worrying about the protocol and etiquette on the night.
If you remember a few hints on how to prepare and what to expect, you should be able to enjoy the concert in all its glory and not spend the night worrying about anything else.
Get yourself some tickets to see the Boston Symphony orchestra and once you have organized your hotel accommodation through someone like Hipmunk, you can prepare for the big night out.
Arrive in plenty of time
Boston Symphony concerts held at the Symphony Hall often begin at 8.00 pm sharp. Doors to the concert hall open about an hour before the performance begins and you should arrive no later than 30 minutes before the advertised start time of any concert.
Arriving in good time will allow you plenty of opportunity to use the concert hall’s facilities and find your seat without having to hurry.
Turn your phone off
Cellular phones and any other device that has the potential to interrupt the flow of a concert when it goes off or rings, is understandably going to irritate other patrons and might be a bit embarrassing for you as well, when you scramble around trying to turn it off.
Turn any electrical device off before you enter the concert hall, so that you have no worries about causing an interruption, or at least make sure the phone is on silent.
What to wear
This is the aspect of attending a concert that causes the most anxiety amongst novice concert-goers.
There is generally a fair bit of misinformation floating around when it comes to the correct attire for attending a symphony concert, which is more formal than some other events.
Regular patrons of the symphony often wear semi-formal attire, so an elegant dress for the ladies and business attire for the gentlemen would be more than acceptable.
You will often find that on special events like an opening night, formal attire will be required. Check the tickets and you will find that if there is a requirement for formal attire on the night you are attending, it will say so, otherwise just dress smartly and you will be fine.
Enjoy the show
Good etiquette when the show begins, is to avoid talking, singing or humming along to the songs or making too many movements that would distract the performers or prevent other patrons from gaining maximum enjoyment from the experience.
Showing your appreciation
It can also be a bit confusing knowing when to applaud, if you have not been to a concert of this nature before.
There is normally applause when the Concertmaster or first chair violinist enters the stage, or also when the conductor makes his entrance.
Applause normally only follows the close of a full piece of music but the main rule to remember, is if you are unsure when to applaud, just follow the seasoned concert-goers lead and join in with the accolades once every else has started to show their appreciation.
An evening in the company of the Boston Pops is an event that everyone should try in order to experience the sheer power and passion of an orchestra in full flow. If you brush up on the etiquette beforehand, you are sure to have a fun and relaxing evening of musical enjoyment.