We recently attended the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and enjoyed it immensely.  This is one of the urban treasures that many people especially younger generations overlook – but the music and the concert hall are world class, as is the direction under Marin Alsop, the first woman to hold this position with a major American orchestra.  Well we’re here to help and make the symphony a little less scary for you younger generations.

~**Ezra’s Etiquette: The Symphony for Millenials**~ 

1.  If you need to let loose with a massive fart, first remove your monocle.

2. Tuxedos are for the musicians on stage ONLY.  Don’t show up looking like a penguin unless you’re also toting a bassoon.  Now, a tuxedo T SHIRT can be a great way to bridge the gap between your youthful attire and the traditional elegance of the symphony

3.  Make sure you take a program, even if you don’t intend to read it, the pages are a great place to stick your chewing gum mid performance.

4.  Alcohol at the symphony:  Please do not bring in your own alcohol, this isn’t like a rock concert or high school math class.  Treat yourself to a nice bottle or two of red wine at the intermission and remember, the price goes to a good cause!

5.  Prepare for the symphony beforehand! This sort of music can be a little daunting if you’ve never heard it before.  Look up the pieces being played in the evening’s performance and dust off the gramophone wax cylinders and give them a whirl!

6.  Set the mood!  Are you going to see a performance of classics like Tchaikovsky or Rachmaninoff? Spend the day with other elements of early 20th century Russia like strong black tea,  a tasty bowl of borscht or brutal oppression of the peasant class.

Looks like you’re ready for a thrilling evening at the symphony now!  As always questions and compliments can be addressed to Ezra on Twitter or Facebook.  Complaints and corrections should be addressed to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.