Frequently Asked Questions
You may find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions helpful in making your Syracuse Symphony Orchestra concert experience more enjoyable.
Where can I purchase tickets for Syracuse and Regional concerts?
Our Customer Service Center, located at street level in the Mulroy Civic Center (corner of Madison and Montgomery Streets) is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may phone them during these business hours at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810. Why not order tickets right now while you are online?
Where are concerts performed?
Classics, M&T Bank Pops and CNYCF Family Series concerts are performed in the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater inside the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter, located at the corner of Madison and Montgomery Streets in downtown Syracuse. The SSO's Stained Glass Series concerts are performed in Most Holy Rosary Church, at 111 Roberts Avenue in Syracuse. Be sure to check the Directions and Parking section of this website for detailed directions to the concert hall.
What should I wear?
Our best advice is to wear whatever is most comfortable for you. Many may choose a coat and tie for Classics and M&T Bank Pops concerts, but many others choose slacks and a sweater. CNYCF Family and Stained Glass concerts tend to be more informal, with plenty of sneakers and jeans mixed in. Whatever you do, just come. We'll be pleased to see you at the Symphony.
When should I arrive?
We try our best to begin all concerts on time. To help reduce noises in the concert hall which distract musicians and audience members, the beginning of most performances contain a pause to accommodate the seating of late arrivals. We also permit seating in between pieces, during applause. If you do arrive late, you can listen to and view the performance on TV monitors in the Mulroy Civic Center lobby. Unfortunately, some programs have no late seating due to the structure of a particular piece of music being performed. If you would like to know in advance about latecomer seating, please call the SSO Customer Service Center at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810. You may be interested in attending "Behind the Music," the pre-concert talk prior to each Classics concert.
What and when are the "Pre-Concert Talks"?
Music Director Daniel Hege and other noted music personalities lead "Behind the Music," insightful discussions about the program prior to each Classics Series concert. The discussions begin inside the Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater at 7:00 p.m. and last 30 minutes, leaving time to relax and socialize before the performance.
How long are concerts?
Program lengths vary, but Classics and Pops concerts often run approximately 2 to 2 1/4 hours. Family concerts are usually about 60 minutes. Stained Glass concerts are usually about 1 3/4 to 2 hours. Most Classics, Pops, and Stained Glass concerts (but not all!) include a 20-minute intermission. If you want to know the length of a specific concert, call the SSO Customer Service Center at 315.424.8200 or 800.724.3810.
When do I applaud?
Many orchestral works, particularly symphonies or concerti, have three or more sections, known as movements, each followed by a brief pause. Generally, due to a tradition that has evolved over time, audience members refrain from applauding until the end of a piece. At the concert, turn to the program page in your program book to see how many movements (often indicated by tempo markings in Italian) each piece contains. You may also obtain this information for each program on this site. After the last movement, feel free to applaud enthusiastically.
What if I have to cough while the music is being performed?
To help reduce distractions and to enhance the concert-going experience for everyone, complimentary cough suppressant tablets are made available to patrons, free of charge. The cough drops can be found in dispensers in the Crouse-Hinds Theater Lobby.
May I take photos or record the concert?
Sorry, but cameras, as well as other recording devices, can create major distractions for musicians and fellow audience members; therefore, no still, video or sound recording devices of any kind are permitted in the concert hall. Aside from common courtesy, Section 31.0 of the New York State Arts and Cultural Affairs Law prohibits the use or possession of any recording or photographing device at a live performance.
May I bring my cell phone to be contacted in case of an emergency?
Please contact the Oncenter or SSO staff on duty in the lobby of the Mulroy Civic Center before the performance begins if anticipated emergency notification might be required. To reduce distractions in the hall, patrons wearing alarm watches or carrying cellular phones or electronic paging systems are requested to turn them off before the performance begins.
May I bring my children to a concert?
Children of an appropriate age and maturity level are welcome to enjoy the music of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra. Please be considerate of fellow audience members when deciding whether to bring your child to a performance. Every child, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the concert hall. Central New York Community Foundation Family Series concerts are programmed especially for children ages three or older. In the event that children become disruptive, we request that they be taken into the lobby temporarily, until they are able to sit quietly.
Where may I park near the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter?
There are more than a dozen parking lots and garages within three blocks of the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter. Please check the Directions and Parking section of this site for specific locations. Handicapped street parking is available alongside the Mulroy Civic Center on Madison and Montgomery Streets, as well as in designated locations within the lots and garages near the concert hall.
What if I don't drive?
The Wladis Companies, Inc. Symphony Shuttle provides FREE shuttle service departing from Shoppingtown at 6:30 p.m., prior to every Friday and Saturday night M&T Bank Pops and Post-Standard Classics concert, returning from the Civic Center directly after the concert (approximately 10:00 p.m.). Buses are wheelchair accessible. For reservations, please call Christie at (315) 424-8200.
Is there a place to dine that is in close proximity to the concert hall?
Syracuse offers a number of great restaurants, many within walking distance of the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter. The Mulroy Civic Center also offers a Buffet Dinner Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning at 5:30 p.m., before the SSO's M&T Bank Pops Series concerts. Please call the SSO Customer Service Center at (315) 424-8200 or (800) 724-3810 for suggestions.
What is "Will Call"?
Will Call is the designated window inside the street level lobby of the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter (corner of Madison and Montgomery Streets) where patrons may pick up tickets left by for them by friends or tickets pre-purchased on a credit card by phone or online.
What if I am unable to attend?
Help us make sure your seats don't go empty! If you are a subscriber, turn in your seats for resale no later than 24 hours prior to the concert and get a tax deduction for the value of the seats, or exchange your tickets to a future performance in the same season. If you are not a subscriber, for an exchange fee of $3 per ticket, you may exchange your tickets for a future SSO performance in the same season. Mail or bring your tickets to the the SSO Customer Service Center Office, or fax a copy of your torn tickets to (315) 424-1131. Unfortunately, there are no refunds for tickets.
How can I get into sold-out concerts?
Due to our exchange and ticket turn-back programs, last minute tickets are often available, even for sold-out performances! If you were unable to get tickets earlier, call the SSO Customer Service Center at (315) 424-1131 or (800) 724-3810 the day of the performance. You may be pleasantly surprised!
What if I lost or forgot my tickets?
Don't worry--we have a record of your seats. Just come to the concert early and stop by the the SSO Customer Service Center ticket window in the lobby of the Mulroy Civic Center at Oncenter.
When and how may I redeem Flex Vouchers?
Flex vouchers may be redeemed for tickets beginning two weeks prior to a concert. Flex vouchers may be redeemed in person at the the SSO Customer Service Center Office, by mail (enclosing the vouchers in an envelope), or by fax to (315) 424-1131, with a dated copy of the torn vouchers. You may also just bring your vouchers to the the SSO Customer Service Center Window in the lobby of the Mulroy Civic Cnter on concert night; however, please note that all tickets are subject to availability at the time of your voucher redemption. Flex seating is in sections A-D only and is subject to availability.