A concertgoer should aim to be seated at least fifteen minutes before a performance. This allows ample time to settle in comfortably, to review the printed program, and to get into the mood of the coming performance.

If arriving late, please enter the venue quietly through the designated latecomer entrance. Latecomers or those re-entering the concert hall will be seated by a staff member during the first appropriate time in the program.

You are kindly asked to turn your phone off and keep it away for the duration of the program. By doing this, you will help support the reflective and inspiring atmosphere that music provides for both yourself and others around you.

Food and beverages can be enjoyed outside the concert hall, before or after the performance, or during intermission. This is a sign of respect and helps to avoid distractions that interrupt the attention of fellow concertgoers and performers alike. If you need to take a piece of candy to stifle a cough, be sure to open the wrapper as quietly as possible.

To show respect for other concert-goers and musicians, patrons are asked to refrain from talking during concerts. Patrons are also asked to remain seated throughout the concert. If you need to leave the venue for any reason, as best as possible, please do so quietly and graciously.

During a classical music performance, it is customary to wait until the end of a piece to applaud. Most classical pieces have several movements with pauses in between; the program will help you know how many movements there are in any given piece. Additionally, the conductor will signal when a piece is over by dropping his or her hands. If you are unsure about when applause is appropriate, follow the lead of your fellow concert-goers.

At the beginning of a concert, it is an established tradition to clap for the concertmaster (the principal first violinist), the conductor, and any soloists when they come onto the stage.

We recommend that most Bach Festival Society performances are best experienced by children ages 8 and up. Some programs, such as A Classic Christmas, are excellent programs to enjoy with the whole family. Please contact the Box Office with questions or program recommendation requests.