Plan Your Visit

Live Concert FAQs

What should I wear to the concert?

There is no dress code for an HPO performance, anything that makes you comfortable! Most people wear business casual or slightly dressy clothes but you’ll see everything from jeans to cocktail attire and we welcome it all. We also LOVE a theme so if there are specifics or suggestions for the dress code for a concert, we will make sure you know about it ahead of time!

How long is the concert? 

While performance length varies, most concerts run about two hours with one intermission. Some of our favourite local dinner spots to check out before or after the concert that are a short walk from the concert hall are Undefined, Rapscallion, Electric Diner and The Mule. Looking to grab a quick drink? Try Brain Bar or Farside!

When should I arrive?

If you’re picking up tickets, please arrive at least half an hour before Your HPO is proud to host a variety of pre-concert activities like our Inside the Music Pre-Concert Talk with HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson Schulte and our beloved “surprise and delight” performances. Doors open an hour and a half before the performance begins and to make sure you can catch the pre-concert talk, we recommend coming about an hour early. Being early also means you have time to grab a drink, a snack, and chat with one of our HPO staff and volunteers. We are always happy to see you!

What if I arrive late?

We want to make sure you hear all of the beautiful music your HPO has to offer.  To minimize distractions, latecomers and those who exit the auditorium during a concert will be admitted when there is a break in the programming. 

Can I wear fragrances to a concert?

No, please keep our concert hall a fragrance-free space.

When should I applaud?

At orchestral music concerts, there are two reasons to applaud: as a greeting and to show appreciation. We invite audience members to applaud to greet the Concertmaster when they come onstage (our Concertmaster Stephen Sitarski is the violinist who sits in the first chair of the first row of the Orchestra) and again when the Conductor comes onstage. Any soloists who will be performing will usually come onstage with the Conductor. You’re invited to applaud again at the end of each piece of music, to show your appreciation to the performers.

Some longer pieces may have several sections, or movements, separated by a brief, silent pause. The audience does not applaud between the movements of a piece. The program will list the movements in each piece, so you will know how many there are; applause is usually reserved for the end of the last movement.  If you’re not sure that it’s over just follow the rest of the audience or wait until the conductor turns around to bow.

Can I eat in the concert hall?

Food items may not be consumed during performances. Please consume snacks purchased at concessions outside of the concert hall.

Can I take photos with my cellphone or camera?

We welcome you to take photographs inside the concert hall before and after the concert and at intermission as well as during the pre-concert talk. Once the lights turn off and the performance begins, any photography or any time of rerecording during the performance is prohibited. 

Can I use my phone during the concert?

We ask that you turn off or silence all mobile phones, smart phones, and other electronic devices during the performance. We offer a dark mode digital program that is permissible to be viewed on your device during the concert, but no other texting, scrolling or filming is allowed. 

May I bring my young children to a concert?

Sharing the joy of orchestral music at a young age is a great way to foster an appreciation and interest in the arts. Children age five and older are welcome at any Mainstage concert at FirstOntario Concert Hall with a youth ticket purchase. For children aged 5 and younger, we recommend our performances at local libraries.