Anyone – even you – can enjoy the symphony

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, October 5, 2006

P sssst.

Hey, over here. It’s OK, we know your secret. We know that you’ve never been to a symphony concert. And we understand why. You have a fear. A fear of the unknown: What to wear. How to act. When to applaud.

Well, we’re here to help. Below are some answers to some of your more vexing questions about the symphony. Consider it a symphony primer. We hope it helps.

We wanted to run this now, since the Everett Symphony Orchestra opens its 2006-07 season tonight.

So read on. Feel empowered. Be the baton.

This may be a dumb question, but where does the symphony play?

It’s a good question, because the Everett Symphony Orchestra doesn’t have its own concert hall. It performs at Everett Civic Auditorium, which is across from Everett High School at 2415 Colby Ave. It’s also where you can buy tickets, an hour before the show. The Everett Symphony does have a lovely new headquarters at 2710 Colby Ave., in downtown Everett. You can visit and also buy tickets there.

Parking in downtown Everett … are you kidding?

It’s not that bad. There’s free parking on all the streets surrounding the civic auditorium and there’s a parking lot behind the auditorium. There’s no school during the concerts so you don’t have to compete with students for parking spaces.

I’m not made of money – isn’t the symphony expensive?

Have you been to the movies lately? Ticket prices for the symphony are nearly the same, starting at $10. You can also spend $30 on a seat. But really, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, so an inexpensive ticket is a great value.

When do I applaud?

No one wants to be the person in the crowd clapping alone. So we went to the expert to answer this one: the symphony’s conductor, Paul-Elliott Cobbs. You know, the guy with the baton.

He said that you should first look at the program when you get to the concert hall. It will tell you when a piece has more than one movement (one or more separate parts that make up a piece of music). If you see that there are three or four movements listed under the title, you will know that the music will stop for a moment at the end of each movement. You can applaud during those stop points.

Also, look for this clue. When the piece is done and it is time to applaud, Cobbs will drop his hands and turn toward the audience. That is the clearest indication that the piece is finished.

In the end, don’t feel bad if you clap in the “wrong” spot. The musicians would rather you applaud when you are moved than not applaud at all.

How long does a concert last?

Are you already worrying about falling asleep? Don’t. It’s not all violins and soft music. There’s always one or two musical numbers that get your heart pumping and toes tapping. And the programs are generally just 1 1/2 or two hours long. People are always surprised when they come for the first time and realize the music they are hearing is something they recognize. And remember, there is an intermission.

What should I wear?

The symphony doesn’t have a dress code. Black ties and sequins are not required. It’s supposed to be fun. So dress up … or down. Think about what you’d wear if you were going to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Can I bring my kids?

Save your baby-sitting money. All symphony concerts are open to children, provided they can sit quietly for 45 minutes or more at a time. That could be a challenge for some toddlers. You know your child; use your better judgment.

Also, if you are nervous about bringing your kids to an adult activity, the Everett Symphony has two concerts per year targeted to elementary-age children. The Explore Music! Series provides children the chance to experience a live symphonic concert, at a much cheaper price. Another popular kids’ concert is the traditional performance of “The Nutcracker.” That opens Dec. 9. The symphony provides family pricing for the premiere series concerts.

What if I’ve never heard any of the music?

OK. So you were never in band in high school and you only listen to the oldies station. Fear not. Symphony stuff is easy to learn.

Here’s the way to do it:

Before all the classic concerts, Maestro Cobbs, or the guest conductor, gives a pre-concert talk in the Everett High School cafeteria, 2416 Colby Ave. The conductor explains the concert program in an informal setting and answers questions. If there are guest soloists, they also talk about the piece they are going to perform.

At the performance, programs are distributed that include easy-to-read program notes. To paraphrase Aaron Copland (he was a famous composer), people who know nothing about music are the best listeners because they react to how the music makes them feel, not the technical stuff.

What if I’m sick and can’t attend the concert?

Really, don’t go if you are coughing or sneezing. That can ruin it for others, who are more worried about coming down with something than listening to the music. But here’s what you can do: Donate your ticket back to the Everett Symphony for resale by 5 p.m. the day of the performance. The gesture supports the symphony and you get a tax deduction. Your receipt for donation of the value of the tickets will be mailed to you.

How do I act like I know what I’m talking about if someone asks me what I thought of the concert?

Speak from your heart. If you liked it, great. If you didn’t, tell the executive director. The symphony relies on feedback for future programming.

OK. What if I try and go to an actual concert but I wind up not liking it? Am I a rube?

Not all music is for everyone. Some people don’t like certain composers but love others. It’s a matter of taste. The symphony suggests you try several times and you’ll hear something you like. The symphony offers music from pops to classical, movie music to classic rock. There’s a variety of performances to satisfy most musical tastes.