FREE FAMILY DRESS REHEARSALS
This 2022/23 Concert Season, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra will have two free dress rehearsals:
Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony - Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Poulenc's Gloria & A Funk World Premiere - Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 10:00 AM
To reserve Family Dress Rehearsal Tickets, "family” is generally defined as adults and children (18 years old and younger) living in the same household.
Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony - Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Poulenc's Gloria & A Funk World Premiere - Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 10:00 AM
To reserve Family Dress Rehearsal Tickets, "family” is generally defined as adults and children (18 years old and younger) living in the same household.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What exactly is a symphony “dress rehearsal?”
A dress rehearsal is a final run-through of the concert program before the formal performances. Even though it’s called a “dress” rehearsal, the musicians on stage will be wearing regular clothes, and not formal concert attire. The conductor may start and stop the music to talk to the orchestra and work on difficult sections of a piece.
What constitutes a “family” for the family dress rehearsal ticket?
For the family ticket, “family” is generally defined as adults and children (17 years old and younger) living in the same household.
What if my child wants to bring a friend?
Great! As long as they have a ticket.
How long is the dress rehearsal?
The dress rehearsal begins promptly at 10:00AM and ends at 12:30PM with a 15-minute break in the middle.
Do we have to stay for the entire rehearsal?
No. We just ask that if you leave, to please do so quietly and in between pieces or movements. Please make sure the door shuts quietly behind you.
What should we wear?
Casual attire is fine but feel free to dress up to make it a more special event!
The rehearsal is really laid back and informal, so it’s OK to talk and run around, right?
No. The dress rehearsal is the orchestra’s final opportunity to run through the music. The musicians and technical staff need the audience to be as silent as possible in order to focus on the music and technical aspects of the production.
Talk to your children before the dress rehearsal so they know what to expect. (See “How can I prepare my kids for the dress rehearsal?” below.)
What happens if we’re late?
The rehearsal begins exactly at 10:00AM. Please do not be late. If you are, please make sure to check in with an usher and they will quietly seat you when appropriate. Doors open at 9:30 AM.
Can we bring our own snacks and drinks?
Unfortunately, food and drinks are not allowed in the Willson Auditorium. Snacks may be eaten during the break in the lobby or hallways.
Can we bring drawing materials?
Yes! Let the music inspire your kids (or yourself) to draw or sketch what you’re hearing!
Where do we park?
You may park in any of the area lots or use on-street parking.
How can I prepare my kids for the dress rehearsal?
The music: Consider listening to short excerpts of the works on the concert program (e.g., on YouTube). Ask them:
Instruments: Show them pictures of different instruments and talk about the names of the instruments. What kinds of sounds do these instruments make? At the rehearsal, see how many of those instruments they can spot in the orchestra on stage!
What they’ll see: Talk about what they will see at the dress rehearsal: the auditorium, the stage, curtains, musicians, conductor, instruments, music stands, microphone, other kids, etc.
How to behave: Talk about behavior expectations: staying seated, remaining quiet, not eating or drinking in the auditorium, not kicking seats in front of them. Remind them they can have a snack at the breaktime or after the rehearsal. They may even be able to say hello to a musician in the lobby after the rehearsal or during the break.
Have an exit strategy: Most children have fairly short attention spans. Watch for signs that your child is getting tired or impatient. Have a signal for them to indicate they would like to leave, such as tapping your leg, then wait for a break between pieces or movements in order to make your quiet exit.
Congratulate your children afterward for trying something new and for behaving well! Congratulate yourself for introducing your child to live symphonic music!
A dress rehearsal is a final run-through of the concert program before the formal performances. Even though it’s called a “dress” rehearsal, the musicians on stage will be wearing regular clothes, and not formal concert attire. The conductor may start and stop the music to talk to the orchestra and work on difficult sections of a piece.
What constitutes a “family” for the family dress rehearsal ticket?
For the family ticket, “family” is generally defined as adults and children (17 years old and younger) living in the same household.
What if my child wants to bring a friend?
Great! As long as they have a ticket.
How long is the dress rehearsal?
The dress rehearsal begins promptly at 10:00AM and ends at 12:30PM with a 15-minute break in the middle.
Do we have to stay for the entire rehearsal?
No. We just ask that if you leave, to please do so quietly and in between pieces or movements. Please make sure the door shuts quietly behind you.
What should we wear?
Casual attire is fine but feel free to dress up to make it a more special event!
The rehearsal is really laid back and informal, so it’s OK to talk and run around, right?
No. The dress rehearsal is the orchestra’s final opportunity to run through the music. The musicians and technical staff need the audience to be as silent as possible in order to focus on the music and technical aspects of the production.
Talk to your children before the dress rehearsal so they know what to expect. (See “How can I prepare my kids for the dress rehearsal?” below.)
What happens if we’re late?
The rehearsal begins exactly at 10:00AM. Please do not be late. If you are, please make sure to check in with an usher and they will quietly seat you when appropriate. Doors open at 9:30 AM.
Can we bring our own snacks and drinks?
Unfortunately, food and drinks are not allowed in the Willson Auditorium. Snacks may be eaten during the break in the lobby or hallways.
Can we bring drawing materials?
Yes! Let the music inspire your kids (or yourself) to draw or sketch what you’re hearing!
Where do we park?
You may park in any of the area lots or use on-street parking.
How can I prepare my kids for the dress rehearsal?
The music: Consider listening to short excerpts of the works on the concert program (e.g., on YouTube). Ask them:
- How does this music sound to you: happy, sad, angry? Slow or fast?
- What does it remind you of?
- What do you think the composer was trying to express?
- If you could draw or paint a picture of the music, what would it look like?
- If this was the background music for a movie, what kind of movie would it be?
Instruments: Show them pictures of different instruments and talk about the names of the instruments. What kinds of sounds do these instruments make? At the rehearsal, see how many of those instruments they can spot in the orchestra on stage!
What they’ll see: Talk about what they will see at the dress rehearsal: the auditorium, the stage, curtains, musicians, conductor, instruments, music stands, microphone, other kids, etc.
How to behave: Talk about behavior expectations: staying seated, remaining quiet, not eating or drinking in the auditorium, not kicking seats in front of them. Remind them they can have a snack at the breaktime or after the rehearsal. They may even be able to say hello to a musician in the lobby after the rehearsal or during the break.
Have an exit strategy: Most children have fairly short attention spans. Watch for signs that your child is getting tired or impatient. Have a signal for them to indicate they would like to leave, such as tapping your leg, then wait for a break between pieces or movements in order to make your quiet exit.
Congratulate your children afterward for trying something new and for behaving well! Congratulate yourself for introducing your child to live symphonic music!
