I'm a Season Ticket Holder or thinking of becoming one, what benefits do I get and how can I make exchanges?

As a Season Ticket Holder you get many outstanding benefits. VIP Series subscribers get one concert free. Retro Series subscribers receive a 10% discount off of single ticket prices. All subscribers are assured the best available seats in the house from season to season. Also, many Orchestra Kentucky concerts sell out, so subscribers are assured of having a seat.

Where do you perform and where is it?

We perform all of our concerts at Van Meter Hall located on Western Kentucky University’s campus. For more information, including driving directions, please click here for venue information.

Is ample parking available?

Plenty of parking is available in the parking lot at the corner of Adams Street and Kentucky Street or any available spot on campus. For your convenience, we offer free shuttle service from the Adams Street parking lot as well as the parking lot on the corner of State Street and 8th Ave (across from Mariah’s). We also offer valet service in front of Van Meter Hall for a reasonable fee.

I will soon be attending a concert and I am a guest with a disability. Can you give me a bit more information?

Van Meter Hall has been carefully designed to satisfy all criteria established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Orchestra Kentucky also reserves seats for patrons in wheel chairs and their guests. Please call the Orchestra Kentucky box office in advance to reserve such seating at 270.846.2426.

I recently found out I can't make it to a concert that I previously purchased tickets for. What can I do?

You can donate tickets for a tax credit or, in the case of repeated concerts, exchange them for another evening. For more information, contact the box office at 270.846.2426

What should I wear?

There is no dress code. Anything that makes you feel comfortable is fine. Most people wear business clothes or slightly dressy casual clothes, but you’ll see everything from khakis to cocktail dresses. In the interest of other patrons, please be considerate of those in the audience who may have allergies and refrain from wearing scented products such as cologne or perfume.

When should I arrive?

We suggest that you plan to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. This will allow time to find your seat, relax and read the program notes or visit with friends. In the interest of all patrons and performers and to minimize any distractions, latecomers will be admitted in accordance with the late seating policy stated below. Also, you might want to arrive at 6:45 p.m. to attend the Pre-Concert Chat with the Maestro held before each VIP Series concert. The fifteen minute talks are presented by Maestro Reed, who gives background on the music to be performed and answers questions from the audience. The chats are held in the concert hall of Van Meter Hall. Upon arrival, ask an usher if you need any assistance.

What if I arrive late for a concert?

As a courtesy to performers and other patrons, we will seat latecomers at an appropriate interval in the performance. Patrons will be seated in the balcony during the performance if the head usher determines that it would not disrupt other patrons.

What are your food and drink options?

Food and drink are not allowed in the auditorium. Soft drinks, beer and wine will be sold in the lobby by Western Kentucky University’s catering service.

How long is a typical Orchestra Kentucky performance?

Performance lengths vary, but typically concerts run two hours plus a 20-minute intermission for Retro Series concerts and 75 minutes for VIP Series concerts. VIP Series concerts often do not have intermissions. Sometimes a 20-minute intermission is inserted in the 75 minute concert.

When do I applaud?

Current concert etiquette requires audiences to wait until all movements or sections of a piece are completed before clapping. In some pieces of music, the orchestra will pause briefly for about 10-15 seconds between movements. The audience holds their applause during the short breaks in music, until the end of the entire piece. The conductor will signal when a piece is finished by putting his or her 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. If all of this is too much to grasp, don’t worry. The orchestra loves applause at any time!

Why should we wait to applaud until the end of the entire piece?

Holding applause between movements is considered to be respectful to the performers’ concentration and mindful of musical continuity. In the time of Beethoven and Mozart, audiences often applauded between movements. My how times have changed!

Do you have a lost and found?

If you misplaced something at a concert, contact an usher or contact us at 270.846.2426.

What if I need to cough?

Everyone struggles with coughing, especially during the winter months. The best thing to do to avoid a coughing concerto is to be prepared.
- If you have a cold, then take some cough medicine in advance and bring unwrapped lozenges with you. Have a few handy when the music begins.
- Try to “bury” your cough in a loud passage of music. If this is impossible and you begin to cough a lot, then it’s perfectly acceptable and appropriate to quietly exit the concert hall. The ushers will tell you when you are able to re-enter the concert.

Can I take photographs?

Cameras and other recording devices are not permitted.

What about cellular phones?

Please be sure to turn off your cell phones, pagers and all other audible electronic devices (including watch alarms), before the concert begins. You don’t want to be responsible for a “solo” during a concert.

May I bring my kids?

Orchestra Kentucky loves seeing children at its concerts! If your child becomes fussy, however, please consider taking him or her to the lobby. The concert is broadcast through the speakers located in the lobby area. Also, remember that Orchestra Kentucky offers the Disney in Concert performance which is appropriate for school-aged children.

I'm a composer and I would like to submit my scores for consideration. What should I do?

Thank you for your interest but we are currently not accepting unsolicited music and scores.

You haven’t answered my question. What do I do?

Contact the orchestra office at 270.846-2426 or write info@OrchestraKentucky.com and a staff member will get back to you within 24 hours.