How to Prepare FAQs

There is no dress code for concerts. Anything that makes you feel comfortable is fine. Most people wear business casual clothes or slightly dressy casual clothes.

It is also recommended that patrons refrain from using strong perfumes and colognes so as not to distract the patrons sitting around you.

A typical performance runs approximately 90 minutes including one 15 or 20-minute intermission.

Generally, it is considered proper concert etiquette to clap only after a piece is complete and not after movements.

In some pieces of music, the orchestra will pause briefly for about 10-15 seconds between movements. Please hold your applause at this time.

The conductor will signal when a piece is finished by putting his arms down and turning to the audience. You can check your program before or during the performance so you’ll know how many movements to expect.

We welcome children who are accompanied by an adult and who are able to sit quietly for the duration of the concert.

All children are required to have a ticket and to occupy their own seat.

Concert hall doors open 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Plan to arrive 20 minutes before the performance time so you can find your seat, turn off your cell phone and have time to glance through the program book.

In consideration of both artists and audiences, late-arriving patrons will not be seated until after the conclusion of the first work on the program.

Patrons who leave the hall before or during a work will not be reseated until after the work is completed.

Your usher will alert you as soon as it is possible to be seated. House lights are dimmed to indicate that the concert is about to begin.

Special rates are available for groups of 10 or more.

Call 563-557-1677 for details.

Handicapped spaces for wheelchairs are available at Five Flags Theater.

Please inform the box office of your needs when ordering your tickets.

Photos and selfies are encouraged before and after the concert and during intermission.

Cameras, camera phones, audio recorders, and video recorders are not permitted during the program, as they may interfere with the musicians’ performance and other patrons’ enjoyment or violate copyright laws (audio/video).  

The term “season” refers to the months from fall to spring when our concerts take place (usually October through April).

A “series” is a set of concerts that you can purchase as a package.

If you purchase a series package (or “subscription”), then you become a subscriber.

We currently have three subscription packages: Full 5-Concert Series, Pick 4 or Pick 3 Series.

Subscribers enjoy many benefits including the same seat for each concert, discounts, and more!

If you are a subscriber and cannot attend, there are several options: gift the ticket to a family member, student, or friend so that they may enjoy the performance; exchange your tickets through the symphony office before 4pm on the Friday of the performance weekend for the other performance of the same concert; or release your ticket to symphony office for a tax credit at least 48 hours in advance so that the seat may be enjoyed by someone else.

Single tickets may not be exchanged or returned - all sales are final. There are no refunds on any tickets.

As a benefit to Season Subscribers, the DSO office offers a ticket exchange service to an alternate performance of the same concert. Call the office at 563-557-1677 Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm. ($2 reprint fee per ticket)

Single tickets purchased through venue box office may not be exchanged or returned - all sales are final. There are no refunds on any tickets.

If there is time, we ask that symphony subscribers call the DSO office. We can reprint and mail you new tickets, or you can pick them up at “will call” prior to the concert.

If you cannot find your tickets on the day of the performance, please check in at the venue’s box office.

They can look up your account or credit card information to issue you replacement tickets.

Some of our musicians do perform at weddings and other special functions.

For more information, please email info@dubuquesymphony.org.

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