Accessibility

The Abilene Convention Center is wheelchair accessible with designated seating throughout the concert hall. Please call our box office to ensure you have the best seats for you. There is balcony seating however, there is no elevator in the venue. 

What to wear?

There are as many ways of dressing as there are people who come to concerts. Most aim for business casual or dressier, but ultimately the symphony is for everyone, wear what makes you comfortable.

Do I need to know the music before I attend the performance?

No. One of the great joys of going to an Abilene Philharmonic concert is being introduced to a great piece of music you’ve never heard before. You may also enjoy a superb performance of a piece you have known for years. Some regular concertgoers find they appreciate the performance more if they listen to a recording of the piece before the concert so they can better anticipate their favorite parts, or listen to virtuosic playing of the most difficult passages. Many audience members find that attending a live concert enhances their enjoyment of the music.

What is the policy on bringing children to an adult/regular performance?

Children ages 6 and up are welcome to all Masterworks and Pops concerts. Children must have a ticket for all ticketed events. The APO invites children of all ages to special family friendly events that are held throughout the year. Please check our concert calendar or call our Box Office for more information. 

When should I get there?

Parking for the Abilene Civic Center is in the lot north of North 7th Street in between Pine and Cedar. Try to arrive at least thirty minutes before concert time. This leaves time for parking, picking up tickets, visiting the restroom, purchasing a cocktail, and finding your seat.

What next?

Turn off the sound on your phone and watch alarm.

If you are unfamiliar with the music, try reading the program notes in the program book (or on your phone on our website) while you are waiting for the concert to begin.

If you’re attending a Masterworks concert, you might want to join in our backstage talks at 6:45 p.m. They’re called “Pre-Concert Talks” because conductor David Itkin often chats with the guest soloists about the music. You get the inside scoop from the musicians’ point of view and also a little history to put things in perspective.

You’re actually likely to hear something you recognize since so much classical music has been used in movies and sports and advertising – and pops music is just that, popular music.

You may see some weird things taking place on stage that the article “Why Is the Timpani Player Smelling His Drums?” demystifies.

What happens if I arrive late?

You’ll be seated as soon as there is an appropriate pause in the performance.

May I take pictures or record the Abilene Philharmonic?

No…we’re sorry, but every concert involves lots of contracts with lots of rules.

When do I clap?

No need for this to be a nail-bitter. When in doubt, clap when everyone else does. The audience usually claps when the concertmaster walks out on stage, when the conductor enters the stage, and at the end of a piece. The trick is figuring out how many parts there are to a piece. In your program, if you see numbers under the composer and title, that’s how many parts there are. There is usually silence in between all the parts and clapping after the last one.