HOW TO MOSY

Most concerts will require a ticket.

There are some community outreach events like Preludes at the Pubs that do not require tickets

If you bought a ticket online and selected that you will pick it up at Will Call, go the box office. At the Missouri Theater, this is inside the lobby.

Some events will require that you check in with MOSY staff at the entrance of the venue. (E.g. Holiday, Conservatory concerts)

Other events will have ticket scanners that will scan the QR code on your paper/electronic tickets. (E.g. Firefly Festival)

If you have a “comp ticket,” you will likely have to check in with MOSY staff.

There is no dress code. At the same concert, you may see jeans and tee-shirts next to suits and cocktail dresses.

Watch MOSY social media for special dress-up events (winter holiday wear, theme-based costumes, red carpet looks)

Applause at the symphony is confusing! Why do people clap after some pieces of music but not others? Why do people clap at the beginning?

We clap to show our appreciation. But some music pieces are made up of a few movements and the tradition is to not clap between movements. That slight break can show a change in the piece while still allowing the conductor and musicians to keep focus. However, do not be embarrassed if you clap when not everyone else is clapping.

General guidelines: Clap at the end of the piece of music. Key indicators: the conductor puts down his baton and the musicians put down their instruments.

The concertmaster (1st violinist) will come out shortly before the concert starts and tune the orchestra. The conductor will come out next. We clap when each of them walk on the stage.

It depends on the concert. If the concert play time will be longer than 90 minutes, there will generally be an intermission halfway through. Ask your usher at the concert. Or contact MOSY in advance of the concerts.

The list of music to be played (usually listed in the middle of the program)

Biographies of MOSY’s conductor, soloists, etc

List of musicians

Sponsor ads (Our sponsors are members of our local community - Check them out!)

Some concerts will have digital programs that you can access with your cell phone via a QR code. We suggest looking at these before the concert starts and during intermission.

We would love for you to take a digital break during our concerts. You can relax and reset while listening to our music. If you have to take a call, you are welcome to go out to the lobby.

Remember to silence your phone. And dim the brightness (especially when the theater goes dark during the performance)

Taking pictures and videos of our performances is prohibited. If you want to take a selfie for a status update/ your socials, please do so before the show starts.

Our box office generally closes 15 minutes after the show starts. But if you bought your tickets in advance, we will let you in as long as staff is in the lobby.

Generally, you can go directly to your seat. However, there are some pieces of music that require minimal interruptions (like debut performances, recorded performances) and you may be asked to wait to be seated until the piece is complete.

Some concerts will have concessions (wine, water, candy). Food and drinks will be limited to the lobby but some drink containers with closed lids may be allowed in the theater.

Concerts at the theater: We generally suggest that you remain in your seat and let those on stage do the performing. However, there will be some concerts where you may be encouraged to clap to a march or sing along with a Christmas carol.

Interactive events. At Preludes at the Pubs (MOSY musicians play at local bars), you can chat with friends and/or dance to the music while you have a drink. And look for an interactive concert during our Firefly Music Festival (e.g. Promenade concert where audience strolls around the performance space)

There are a variety of reasons you may need to temporarily leave your seat during the concert: Coughing attacks come out of nowhere. Kids get fussy. Sitter/ family member texts with a problem. You get anxious. You need fresh air. If that happens, you can go out to the lobby. And we are working on a quiet room. Come back to your seat when you can. Or feel free to sit in an open seat in the back of the theater.

If you stick around after the show, some of our musicians will be in lobby. They would love to talk to you about the show.

Call the MOSY office at 573-875-0600 or email info@TheMosy.org. MOSY staff will assist you or request that you contact the venue.

Frequently requested accommodations:

• Listening devices. Provided by Missouri Theater, some other venues

• Movable arm rests (If need a wider seat/ have a walker)

• Wheel-chair seating

• Elevator

• Digital programs (accessed by QR code, can enlarge text)

• Screens showing name of piece, movement, English translation)

• Quiet areas

My accommodation is unique:

Reach out to us. Let MOSY know what would be helpful.

Firefly Music Festival (Masterworks and Pops concerts) - Summer

Opera - Fall

Food & Music Experience Concert - Fall

Holiday Concert - December (includes kids’ activities. And Santa!)

Conservatory/ Youth Orchestra concerts in early December and early May

Special events - Black History Month Concert in February

Community events – Preludes at the Pubs (listen to small groups of MOSY musicians play at a local pub while you sip a fine beverage and chat with friends)

Masterworks – Performance by full symphony of classical music by the “Masters” like Beethoven and Mozart. Often a soloist may perform.

Chamber – small group of performers like a quartet

Pops – Orchestra plays popular music, show tunes, well-known songs

Follow MOSY on Facebook or Instagram, sign up for our email updates, or visit our events calendar

MOSY is an abbreviation for The Missouri Symphony.

MOSY can also be a verb. Let’s MOSY on down to the theater for a concert. Have you MOSY’d lately?

Click on the “Events” tab. Or call the MOSY office at 573-875-0600. Tickets can also be bought at the venue but popular concerts fill up fast. If you want seats in a particular section or have an accommodation, it is best to get tickets in advance.

If you buy tickets in advance, MOSY will send you an email with what to expect at the concert, including answers to many of the questions listed here.

Larger concerts are usually held at the Missouri Theater

Preludes at the Pub are located at various pubs around Columbia

Special events – Churches, event spaces

Outside of Columbia – during the summer Firefly Music Festival, we try to travel to a nearby community to perform (e.g. Boonville, Rocheport, Moberly, Lake of the Ozarks)

Kids of all ages are absolutely welcome to all concerts. We request that our younger attendees be accompanied by an adult.

Some concerts, like Pops concerts and holiday concerts, have lighter, shorter music. Other concerts, like Chamber concerts and masterworks concerts, require sitting quietly in appreciation for longer, more complex music. Some adults prefer pops concerts and some kids prefer masterworks concerts. We welcome you to try out all of our concerts! And to speak to our staff if you want more information about the music.

Missouri Theater [Seating Chart]

• Seats on main floor and balcony are auditorium/ stadium style seating.

• Main floor has no steps but there is a slope floor

• Balcony level can be accessed by elevator or steps. Seats are a few steps up/ down from a mid-level walking area. There is plexi-glass on front of 1st row of balcony.

Other venues - Contact MOSY/ pre-concert ticket email for details

Many MOSY concerts are downtown Columbia. Parking is street parking (meters before 6:00 pm except on Sundays) or parking garages (free on weekends)

Most of our concerts require paid tickets. But watch for ticket drawings, concerts that do not charge for kids.

Community outreach events like Preludes at the Pubs are free of charge

Yes! The Conservatory has several groups including a youth symphony, symphonic band, and chamber groups. They have concerts in the fall and spring.

Interested middle school and high school students can get more information on the Conservatory page

All of the community is welcome to attend Conservatory concerts – not just families of the student musicians

The Professional Orchestra (Mid-Missouri’s only professional orchestra.

Conservatory (Teachers and students in 6th – 12th grades)

League (Volunteer members host fundraising events like an online auction, holiday home tour, cocktail hours)

Staff (Administrative staff including Executive Director and Artistic staff including musical director (conductor)

Volunteers

Buy tickets

Come to our concerts and events

Donate here.

Tell your friends/ family/ community about MOSY