Important Information: Trey with the PSO

Sunday 02/12/2012 by pzerbo

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: TREY WITH THE PSO

The Pittburgh Symphony Orchestra sent the following email with important information for ticket-holders to Tuesday's performance by Trey Anastasio & PSO. Please take a second to check it out if you are attending!

We are looking forward to an amazing evening of music on Tuesday, February 14 at 7:30pm, as Trey joins the PSO at Heinz Hall. We encourage you to use this email as a guide if you are new to a classical music concert, Heinz Hall, or the Cultural District of Pittsburgh. Should you have a question that is not answered here, please refer to the FAQ page on our website.

PRE-CONCERT MUSIC! Arrive early, at 6:30pm, for live bluegrass in the Grand Lobby of Heinz Hall with Pittsburgh's Shelf Life String Band. Free to all ticket holders.

NO RE-ENTRY. If you leave Heinz Hall, you will not be permitted to return. There is an outdoor smoking area on premises.

Bars and concessions are CASH ONLY. There is not an ATM in Heinz Hall; however, several ATMs are located near the Hall, click here for more information.

PHOTOS and VIDEO. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has a strict photography and video policy. We politely ask that you do not take photos or videos inside of the auditorium. Our usher staff will confiscate phones, cameras and other recording devices, and you may be asked to leave the performance if found taking photos or video inside of the auditorium. Photos are permitted in the lobby, garden and all other areas except inside of the performance space.

There is no official dress code for events in Heinz Hall. Many patrons wear business attire or formal wear, and many prefer to be more casual. Wear whatever makes you feel more comfortable. An attended Coat Checkroom is available in Heinz Hall. Coin-operated lockers are located on the Lower, Grand Tier and Gallery levels. There is a nominal fee for coat check service.

You should arrive at least 20 minutes prior to concert start time to allow time for parking and entering the hall. If you arrive late, there is a Latecomer’s Gallery, located behind the Main Floor, which affords patrons who arrive after the beginning of a concert the opportunity to enjoy the performance until they can be seated. Latecomers will be seated at suitable intervals during the program, at the discretion of the conductor.

Pittsburgh's Cultural District can be very busy! Several garages are available within a few blocks of the Hall; click here for details. Also, if you have a Smartphone, download the free Park PGH app for real-time garage availability.

Applause is usually appropriate at the end of a piece (when the conductor lowers his hands). In a multi-movement work, it is customary to wait until the end of the last movement to applaud, so as not to break the concentration of the performers. Please do not yell out for the performers while music is being played or between movements, as this can ruin a professional recording of the event and make it unusable for release. What if I have to cough? The PSO provides complimentary cough drops at the concierge desk located in the entrance lobby.

Trey Anastasio with The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

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32 comments - Link: http://phi.sh/b/4f383cf0

Comments

2012-02-12 5:59 pm, comment by Frizz

"Wear whatever makes you feel more comfortable."
Mwa hahahahahahahahahaaa!!!!!

Score: 2

2012-02-12 6:38 pm, comment by abcde

I thought that was funny too!! I trying to hit the Denver show!!

Score: 0

2012-02-12 6:52 pm, comment by packone

I find this kind of insulting.

Like they think we won't be able to behave ourselves or have never been to anything but rock concerts. I didn't hear of any mishaps in ATL.

Hey, it's not 1992 anymore and we're adults with real jobs and mortgages.

Whatever.

Score: -2

2012-02-12 6:52 pm, comment by mjrphishhead

I sure could use a "complimentary cough drop" right now

Score: 3

2012-02-12 7:08 pm, comment by TheDeerman

The cough drops supply will be gone in minutes...heady lot items

Score: 6

2012-02-12 7:09 pm, comment by colinw

@packone It is insulting for those of us who can behave and cherish the moment of unique Phish/Trey history we're seeing. Unfortunately there are a lot of tools around who think it is cool to be wannabe hippies and don't treat the concert halls and musicians with the respect they deserve. I so wish one of these shows was coming somewhere near me. It kills me to hear of people acting like idiots when I know I could be repectfully enjoying the performance in their place!

Score: 9

2012-02-12 7:19 pm, comment by jackl

@packone said:

I find this kind of insulting.

Like they think we won't be able to behave ourselves or have never been to anything but rock concerts. I didn't hear of any mishaps in ATL.

Hey, it's not 1992 anymore and we're adults with real jobs and mortgages.

Whatever.

Apparently, according to @briannati who was at the Atlanta show, there are unfortunately a few Phish fans with limited experience in symphony orchestra concert etiquette.

(And even n00b concert audiences need to be told not to applaud between movements of a symphony).

As seen on some of the YouTube videos, some of the ATL fans also got a bit raucous, especially during YEM.

Anyway, probably better to explain what's expected of the audiences than to have ushers and security confiscating phones and cameras and generally giving everyone the stink eye while the show's in progress. Everyone will have a better time, being forewarned.

Score: 6

2012-02-12 7:30 pm, comment by 3conecap

That poster is rad!

Score: 5

2012-02-12 7:55 pm, comment by parrott56

@packone said:

I didn't hear of any mishaps in ATL.

Really? I heard of a ton. Seems like a good number of fans were embarrassed, one way or another, by other fans' behavior.

Score: 2

2012-02-12 7:57 pm, comment by lawsuit

I am glad they distributed this. The applause, whooping and hollering during the orchestral performances is cringe-worthy. Hopefully this helps get it under control.

It's not insulting if it's addressing a real problem.

Score: 5

2012-02-12 8:14 pm, comment by tmwsiy

@packone said:

I find this kind of insulting.

I don't in the least, the message was professional and welcoming.
And discussed a few etiquette points that not all are likely to be accustomed to.
ATL had some issues based on each and every clip from YouTube I watched.

Score: 4

2012-02-12 8:49 pm, comment by chris_22

This is great to see. I have a huge respect for seeing shows of this nature. These are the kinds of shows I grew up going to. Although I won't be there, thank you PSO.

Score: 0

2012-02-12 9:37 pm, comment by TheDeputy

Yep. I think it's great. If I were going to the show, I'd be even more excited since they put this out. as @tmsiy said, every Atlanta youtube clip I watched was upsetting and, seeing it's an orchestral setting, disrespectful.

Score: 2

2012-02-12 9:44 pm, comment by Jaybp30

this should not be taken as an insult. There is specific protocol involved with symphonic performances that I would guess many aren't familiar with it. Not to any fault of their own but because they dont frequent such performances. even if only 1 person learns from it it's worth it. Why is it insulting for the theater to assume the fans of a primarily rock musician would be unfamiliar with this.

Score: 2

2012-02-12 10:04 pm, comment by znmick

@packone said:

I find this kind of insulting.

Like they think we won't be able to behave ourselves or have never been to anything but rock concerts. I didn't hear of any mishaps in ATL.

Hey, it's not 1992 anymore and we're adults with real jobs and mortgages.

Whatever.

The crowd in ATL was ok for the most part, but there were some folks there who acted as if they were born in 1992/HAD only ever been to rock concerts. In fact, at one point, it looked like Trey mouthed "Sorry" to the conductor. I think they're trying to educate people, not patronize.

Score: 1

2012-02-12 10:05 pm, comment by HarpuAdam

This is bullshit! If the symphony wants to play a sold-out show of Trey/Phish tunes, they should embrace what the music they are playing is about and not be uptight little bitches when people get rowdy.

Score: -16

2012-02-12 10:23 pm, comment by znmick

@HarpuAdam said:

This is bullshit! If the symphony wants to play a sold-out show of Trey/Phish tunes, they should embrace what the music they are playing is about and not be uptight little bitches when people get rowdy.

Are you actually insinuating that "what the music is about" includes a crowd being rowdy and immature? Cause actually, I think the music is the music, and entirely separate from the scene we all typically enjoy that goes on around it. In situations where the music is presented in a different setting, most of us are intelligent and respectful enough to understand that fact and appropriately control ourselves. Attitudes like yours create problems, and give all of us a bad name.

Score: 4

2012-02-13 12:18 am, comment by castinajig

Trey seems Giddy as hell with the crowd during Stash.......

Score: 0

2012-02-13 12:36 am, comment by PhanArt

love the poster. dislike all the rules. WE WILL APPLAUD WHEN THE MUSIC COMPELS US TO!

Score: -11

2012-02-13 4:58 am, comment by forbin1

I would like to hope that people would conduct themselves in the appropriate manner in such places as this...People this is not MSG...It's a symphony...Big difference guys!

Score: 2

2012-02-13 6:11 am, comment by OfAnAwesome

@PhanArt said:

love the poster. dislike all the rules. WE WILL APPLAUD WHEN THE MUSIC COMPELS US TO!

Please don't. Such behavior may further tarnish the public image of phans and the likelihood of Trey doing another orchestral tour.

Score: 6

2012-02-13 8:48 am, comment by ScottyB

Someone who works for the PSO tweeted this yesterday

https://twitter.com/#!/pattyrea/status/168896254334615554 />
"The 'fans' want Trey to release a symphony recording, but can't be respectful. No orchestra will allow a release w/u talking thru it"

Score: 4

2012-02-13 9:01 am, comment by Martina

Even the marriage proposal caused some raucousness. Would have been a nicer thing to do between pieces, before or after the concert... Standing on a chair was a not much for that environment. But, they were kids. I still wish them well.

Score: 2

2012-02-13 9:29 am, comment by funkalunk

@PhanArt said:

love the poster. dislike all the rules. WE WILL APPLAUD WHEN THE MUSIC COMPELS US TO!

The death of tact, everyone.

People like this, and those who acted up in the previous show, are why I sometimes shy away from identifying myself as a fan. Ever heard of respect, guys? If not for the orchestra, then for Trey. I'm sure he loves doing this tour, and would like to repeat it, something that won't happen if a bunch of loud idiots heckle the orchestra.

Score: 9

2012-02-13 11:20 am, comment by PhishDicks

sounds serious.

Score: 0

2012-02-13 11:23 am, comment by Phish1

@HarpuAdam said:

This is bullshit! If the symphony wants to play a sold-out show of Trey/Phish tunes, they should embrace what the music they are playing is about and not be uptight little bitches when people get rowdy.

*sigh*... Phish and "rowdy" in the same sentence. If I were a part of the audience at one of these shows, I truly think I'd be embarrassed if folks got "rowdy" or treated it as some sort of rock show. I'd be embarrassed for Trey, myself, and the community as a whole.

Certain situations call for certain types of behavior. Doesn't matter if you like it, that's how it is.

Score: 3

2012-02-13 1:41 pm, comment by packone

@tmwsiy said:

@packone said:
I find this kind of insulting.
I don't in the least, the message was professional and welcoming.
And discussed a few etiquette points that not all are likely to be accustomed to.
ATL had some issues based on each and every clip from YouTube I watched.

Whoa! Controversy!

I went onto twitter and searched for various hashtags like #trey, #phish, #atlantasymphony and other, and there were definitely people live tweeting from the show. One person was also adding the hashtag #classy after all their tweets, which is obviously not classy. I guess there are a few in every crowd.

In all my years of theatre going and the several times I've seen the Cleveland Orchestra, there has never been anything other than a warning directly before the show to shut off cellphones (in the days of cellphones), and to refrain from applause until after the show was over. I feel that that would have been adequate in this instance.

Also, do they really need to tell us about standards of dress?

The stuff about parking and coat check seems reasonable, but the rest seems a bit presumptuous to me.

Score: 0

2012-02-13 6:29 pm, comment by highhat

Instead of threats of device confiscation, there ought to be the strict rule that any unconventional outbursts or general misbehavior will lead to patron removal from the auditorium.

Dear Wooks, The Empire Strikes Back!

Score: 1

2012-02-14 2:13 am, comment by cnote_prophet

I think there should be some coprimise both ways. The PSO obviously know what to expexct an thus the warning which is great. Wookies will still be wookies and there will be some ill-timed wooing. If the PSO didn't put out the advisement then it would be as loud as a rock concert which isn't appropriate or inappropriate; it's just that in an orchestra there's much nuanced sound. Audience noise kills the acoustics of a full symphony. Anybody with any sense that truly wanted to hear this would know that an be aware of it. I listened to a torrent of the Atlanta show and the crowd nearly ruins some of the really nice moments throughout the night. And I think all would like that to be different. I love how ol' " clap when they feel they want to" said that like any inclination not to was personal to them.

Score: 1

2012-02-14 9:05 am, comment by ADAWGWYO

This is NOT a rock concert. The standard for this environ was set centuries ago. I surmise Trey and the PSO would appreciate it if we oblige the situation.

Score: 1

2012-02-15 3:52 pm, comment by icculusFTW

I actually think it's totally justified -- the show I went to at Carnegie Hall was filled with cheering, clapping and other noise during each song. People treated it more like a Phish show than a concert hall.

@packone said:

I find this kind of insulting.

Like they think we won't be able to behave ourselves or have never been to anything but rock concerts. I didn't hear of any mishaps in ATL.

Hey, it's not 1992 anymore and we're adults with real jobs and mortgages.

Whatever.

Score: 0

2012-02-21 12:08 am, comment by PhanArt

relax folks, im with you. sarcasm isnt detected here it seems. be respectful but in between songs, go ahead and applaud and cheer. no sense keeping quiet till the end. carnegie was mostly respectful like this, except YEM where there were hoots and some appropriate laughter in the first performance of YEM

Score: 0