first-timer's Guide

We’re so glad you’re here!

If this is your first Auburn Symphony concert, or your first live orchestra concert ever, welcome. You do not need to know the music, the “right” outfit, or to clap at the “right” time.

You belong here.

Live orchestra music is for everyone, whether you grew up listening to symphonies, joined us because a friend invited you, recognized a piece from a movie, or simply wanted to try something new.

Here’s what to know before you arrive.

What should I wear?

You’ll see a little bit of everything.

Some people wear dresses and suits. Others wear jeans. There is no dress code. Wear something you feel good sitting in for about two hours.

When should I arrive?

Plan to arrive early enough to park, find your tickets, visit Will Call if needed, use the restroom, and settle into your seat.

For many Auburn Symphony concerts, doors open around 1:15 PM for a 1:30 PM Pre-Concert Talk. The box office opens when doors open.

If you have tickets ready on your phone or printed out, entry will move faster, which matters on cold or rainy days. Our team scans tickets both ways.

Is there parking?

Yes. Parking is free at both Auburn Performing Arts Center and Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center.

At Auburn Performing Arts Center, the venue is located on a high school campus, so weekend parking sometimes gets busy when other school or community events are happening. Give yourself extra time.

At Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center, parking is also free.

What if I need help with my tickets?

For concerts at Auburn Performing Arts Center, contact Auburn Symphony.

• 253.887.7777
• [email protected]

For concerts at Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center, contact the Federal Way PAEC Box Office.

• 253.835.7010

Will Call is available at both venues.

How long is the concert?

Plan for about two hours.

Most Auburn Symphony Mainstage and Pops concerts are a little under two hours, but planning for two hours gives you a more relaxed experience. Most concerts include a 20-minute intermission.

Do I need to know the music before I come?

No homework required. Promise.

You are welcome to arrive knowing nothing about the program. The music will still meet you where you are.

If you enjoy learning before a concert, follow Auburn Symphony on social media and subscribe to our emails. We often share the stories, history, and fun details behind the music we perform.

At the concert, take a few minutes to read the program notes. Music Director Wesley Schulz puts thought and care into those notes, and they offer helpful insight into what you’re about to hear.

What happens before the concert?

Many Auburn Symphony concerts include a Pre-Concert Talk before the performance.

These talks are a great way to learn more about the music, the composers, the guest artists, and the stories behind the program. You do not need to attend the talk to enjoy the concert, but many guests find it adds to the experience.

When do I clap?

Applause is appreciation. We like that you’re excited.

At many orchestra concerts, audiences often wait to clap until the end of a full piece, even if there are pauses between sections. Those sections are called movements. Sometimes the orchestra pauses between movements, and sometimes it does not.

If you want to clap after a movement, CLAP! 

Music is alive. Audiences are human. A little extra enthusiasm is not a disaster.

What about standing ovations?

A standing ovation is a way to show extra appreciation at the end of a performance.

You are welcome to stand if you feel moved to stand. You are also welcome to stay seated. Both are fine.

What should I do with my phone?

Please silence your phone before the music begins.

You do not need to turn it off, but please make sure it will not ring, buzz, or light up during the performance. If you use your phone to read a digital program, lower the brightness so it does not distract people around you.

And yes, we all live in fear of dropping a phone during a quiet moment. It sounds louder than you think.

Is it okay if my mind wanders?

Yes.

Many of us are not used to sitting quietly for long stretches of time. You might focus deeply. You might drift a little. You might close your eyes. You might notice the conductor, the bows moving together, the percussionists waiting for one huge moment, or the brass section lifting their instruments before a big entrance.

There is no single right way to listen.

Some people follow the structure of the music. Some people follow the emotion. Some people watch the musicians. Some people let the sound wash over them.

All of those count.

Why is the audience quiet during the music?

Because orchestras play softly.

Some of the most powerful moments happen at a whisper. A quiet hall helps everyone hear the small details, the soft entrances, and the way the music grows from stillness into something big.

That quiet is not about being fancy. It helps the music work.

Is food or drink available?

Concessions are available at both Auburn Performing Arts Center and Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center.

At Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center, alcoholic beverages are available.

At Auburn Performing Arts Center, alcohol is not available because the venue is located on a high school campus.

Are Auburn Symphony concerts accessible?

Yes. Auburn Symphony works to make concerts welcoming and accessible.

Wheelchair seating, companion seating, accessible parking, elevators, and large-print programs are available. Service animals are welcome. Hearing assistance is available at some venues, please call or ask the venue staff  to confirm.

For accessibility questions or seating needs, contact us before the concert.

• 253.887.7777
• [email protected]

Are kids welcome?

Yes, with a little planning.

For Mainstage and Pops concerts, we generally recommend ages 6 and up. It depends on the child. If your child can sit still and pay attention for about an hour, they are likely ready for an Auburn Symphony concert.

For younger children, our family concerts and community programs are often the best first orchestra experience. 

What makes Auburn Symphony special?

Auburn Symphony brings together extraordinary musicians, many of the finest in the Pacific Northwest, with thoughtful, creative programming from Music Director Wesley Schulz.

Wesley builds programs with care. Each concert has a shape, a story, and a point of view. That same thoughtfulness carries into the performance itself.

You will hear that care onstage.

What if I do not “get” classical music?

Then you are in good company.

Most people do not understand every detail of what they hear at an orchestra concert. That is not the point.

You might love one piece and feel unsure about another. You might be surprised by a sound you did not expect. You might remember one melody, one huge ending, one quiet moment, or the feeling in the room.

That is enough.

The more you come, the more familiar it feels. You start to recognize instruments, composers, styles, and the way a live orchestra breathes together.

Start where you are. We’re glad you’re here.