FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can you tell me about Symphony Parnassus?
Symphony Parnassus provides outstanding musical experiences for its players and audience, and showcases the central repertoire as well as the work of local composers, emerging major soloists, and visual artists. We are a diverse group of musicians from all across the Bay Area spanning a wide range of ages, careers, and backgrounds.
Explore our History & Mission and our current Conductor & Musicians.
How do I purchase tickets?
Purchase tickets today by visiting the Tickets section of our website. Season Subscription tickets can be purchased online and will be reserved in your name at will-call on the day of the concert. Tickets for individual concerts can be purchased online through BrownPaperTickets or City Box Office, depending on the concert venue, and will be reserved in your name at will-call. Online sales close at 11:59 p.m. on the Saturday before the concert.
The box office and will-call open one hour before the start of each concert. We accept cash, check, or credit/debit card payments using our Square register. (Square works with any US-issued and most internationally-issued magstripe or chip cards bearing a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, or UnionPay logo.)
Is seating reserved or general admission?
All concerts are general seating (first come, first served). Doors open 30 minutes before the concert so we recommend arriving early if you would like to sit in your preferred section.
What should I do if I can’t make a performance?
All sales are final and we do not offer refunds or exchanges, however you may give your tickets to a friend. To have tickets held under a different name at the box office, email info@symphonyparnassus.org or call (415) 409-6411 at least 24 hours before the performance. You may also contact us to donate your tickets to the organization for resale: all donations are tax-deductible!
What should I do if my guest will be late for the performance?
When you arrive, visit the box office and ask to have your tickets held for your guest. Inform your guest that, upon arrival, they will need to pick up their tickets from the box office/will-call.
Where are the concert venues?
Taube Atrium Theater: Veterans Building, Fourth Floor, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102
San Francisco Conservatory of Music: Concert Hall, 50 Oak Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Where should I park?
The Civic Center Garage and Performing Arts Garage are a short 10-minute walk to the concert venues. Visit our Venues section for more information.
How do I get to the concert using public transportation?
Our concert venues are blocks away from the Civic Center BART Station and Van Ness MUNI Station as well as multiple bus lines. Visit 511.org to plan your transit route.
How long is the concert?
Most concerts range from 1 ½ to 2 hours long and include one 20-minute intermission.
Is there food or beverage at your concert?
Light refreshments are often sold during intermission at most concerts:
Refreshments at SF Conservatory of Music are sold in the lounge area downstairs from the main lobby. Refreshments at Taube Atrium Theater are sold in the lobby area outside the theater. Beer and/or wine may be sold at select concerts.
Is there accessible/ADA seating available?
Limited accessible seating is available at all venues for patrons requiring wheelchairs or other special needs. Please speak with an usher when you enter the concert hall for assistance.
What should I wear?
There really is no dress code. Most people will be wearing business clothes or slightly dressy casual clothes, but you’ll see everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. What you won’t see is evening gowns and tuxedos. We’re delighted to share the gift of music with you so please dress how you feel comfortable! We also suggest bringing a light sweater, coat or wrap because some concert venues (and San Francisco) can be chilly.
When should I clap?
You'll notice in your program book that many musical works have multiple movements or sections. While a short pause often follows each movement, it is customary to refrain from applauding during these pauses. After the final movement of a work, the conductor will turn around, a sure sign that it's time to applaud. When in doubt, just follow the rest of the audience’s cue.
May I take pictures?
Flash photography is prohibited as it can distract the musicians and other patrons.
What about cell phones?
Please silence cell phones completely, including vibrate mode if possible. Phones that are ringing, vibrating, or flashing can be very distracting to your fellow audience members as well as the conductor and musicians.
May I bring my children?
Yes, please! Many of our musicians are music educators and we proudly support introducing younger generations to the broad spectrum of orchestral music. Please keep in mind that our concerts can run two hours with one intermission and require longer attention spans so we encourage only children over five years old. Some concert venues are very intimate (i.e. less distance between audience and performers) so please supervise children in the front rows.
How can I get involved?
If you play an orchestral instrument and would like to join Symphony Parnassus, visit our Auditions page to schedule an audition.
Support Symphony Parnassus by making a donation, advertise your local business in our printed programs, or join our dedicated volunteers who help make each concert possible.
Do you program new works?
Symphony Parnassus has premiered a number of new musical works by talented local composers including Stefan Cwik who was recently named as composer-in-residence for Symphony Parnassus.