Enjoying the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

An appreciation for the fine arts is often lacking in many people of the younger generation. In a time and age where loud concerts with heavy bass beats are actively attended, the day of the opera house and symphony hall seem to be becoming obsolete. However, for those who still wish to taste a bit of the fine arts for an evening, the Tulsa Performing Arts Center is the perfect place to enjoy a night of fine music from the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. For many people, absurd prices for such quality performances serves as an excuse for never enjoying an orchestra performance; for students in the Tulsa area, this cannot be used as an excuse, for the student ticket price is a mere seven dollars (less than even seeing a movie at a regularly priced movie theater)for a mezzanine area seating. For anyone who is considering seeing this wonderful display of musical talent, here is an overview.

The Tulsa Performing Arts Center (PAC) is certainly a nice enough venue to dress up for, making the Tulsa Symphony a great choice for a more formal type of a date. Located in downtown Tulsa, parking is available directly across the street from the PAC for five dollars. (Be careful of some of the one way streets in downtown Tulsa when getting to the parking lot!) Inside the PAC the ticket counter is directly across from the front entrance doors, and several ticket agents are operating at once in order toe expedite the purchasing of tickets before performances. The first level of seats in the ground level and is the most expensive. If you have purchased the student discount seats, they will be located on the mezzanine level, and this will be indicated on your ticket by either a "MR" or a "ML," meaning "mezzanine right" or "mezzanine left." (The directions indicate which entrance way to use to most easily access your seats.) The mezzanine level is the second floor of the seating area and is up several flights of stairs.

Some people viewing the symphony will choose to dress fairly casually, but the average audience member is wearing at least "Sunday best" clothes. For women, either a nice skirt and blouse combination or a semi-formal dress would be appropriate attire. Shorter heels may also be a good plan (as opposed to higher ones) if you are seating at anything above the ground level, as there are several flights of stairs to hike up. For men, a collared dress shirt and slacks would work fine; a jacket and tie could be added to dress up the event if desired.

For anyone unfamiliar with proper symphony etiquette, it is appropriate to applaud only after a song is finished. Although it is possible to leave the concert hall during a performance to use the restroom, the seating area is all dark and it is recommended that you handle your business before the performance. An intermission will be held in the middle of the show, during which refreshments are sold outside of each entrance way to the concert hall. The end of the intermission will be signaled by the dimming of the lights in the foyer space. Following the concert the audience is offered the opportunity of meeting the musicians and enjoying a few complimentary refreshments if they wish.

The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is the perfect entertainment for a special night out. Not only is it quite affordable, but it also will deepen your appreciation for fine music.