Common Questions
How do I purchase tickets?
- top -
Where does the TSO perform?
The TSO's main performance venue is Roy Thomson Hall (RTH), located at 60 Simcoe street in the heart of the entertainment district in Downtown Toronto.
View area map
View Roy Thomson Hall seating maps
RTH has recently completed its much anticipated acoustic enhancement project, securing it's place on the world stage of great music halls.
The TSO also performs three concerts each season at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts (5040 Yonge St, north of Sheppard Ave). The Toronto Centre for the Arts is located on the TTC Yonge subway line (North York Centre or Sheppard stops), minutes away from Highway 401 and Yonge Street with convenient parking lots in the surrounding area.
- top -
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 addition, the TSO features a series of five 90-minute Casual Concerts throughout the season, where the musicians and guest artists dress casually (and the audience is encouraged to as well).
Learn more about our Casual Concerts
- top -
We share the air, go scent free
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS): Understanding How You Can Support the Accessibility of our Facilities for All Patrons
The condition known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) refers to people who
experience disabling symptoms as a result of exposure to environmental substances.
People with MCS can experience symptoms as a result of exposure to fragrances that
interfere with their daily life.
What you can do as a patron?
We urge you to refrain from using any scented personal products whenever you are
attending Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts at Roy Thomson Hall or Toronto Centre
for the Arts. Please keep in mind that our patrons and employees’ comfort and health can
be compromised by the presence of scents in our environment that trigger the various
symptoms associated with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.
What are we doing?
The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra have taken the following steps to encourage and support a scent-free environment:
- Reduced use of scented products in our facilities to the extent possible
- Created policies and messages to encourage our employees and patrons
to make their individual contribution to a scent-free environment
- Encourage our patrons and employees to identify any accommodation issues
attending chemical sensitivities
- Pursued communications to enhance the awareness of our employees and
patrons of the condition of MCS with the objective of increasing their
knowledge and commitment to contributing to a scent-free environment
- top -
When should I arrive?
We suggest that you plan to arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled start time. This will allow time to find your seat, relax and read the programme notes. In the interest of all patrons and performers, and to minimize any distractions, latecomers will be admitted at 'late call,' a break in the concert determined by the conductor. If you leave the auditorium during a performance you will be re-admitted only at a suitable break in the performance.
- top -
How long is a typical TSO performance?
Performance length varies, but a typical TSO performance runs approximately two hours with one intermission. Some performances, like our Casual Concerts, run approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
- top -
When do I applaud?
Most artists appreciate applause at any time during a performance. Until the late nineteenth century and even into the twentieth century, it was customary for audiences to applaud at the end every section of a given piece, and some movements were even given an immediate encore if the applause was great enough. Modern audiences, however, tend to wait until the end of an entire piece to clap. Why? Holding applause between movements is considered to be respectful to the performers' concentration and mindful of musical continuity.
The conductor will signal when a piece is over putting his or her arms down and turning to the audience.
- top -
What if I need to cough?
Everyone gets the urge to cough now and then. The less worried you are about coughing, the less likely you are to feel the urge! So chances are you'll feel less need to cough if you are 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.
- top -
Can I take photographs?
Cameras and other recording devices are not permitted in the auditorium.
- top -
What about cellular phones?
Take a break from the outside world. Please be sure to turn off your cell phones, pagers and all other audible electronic devices (including watch alarms), before the concert begins.
- top -
Can I bring my children?
Children 5 years of age and older may attend any TSO concert with ticket purchase. However, we suggest the children be 10 years of age or older for Masterworks, Casual and Special Concerts.
The TSO's Young People's Concerts and Family Christmas Concert are created especially for audience members ages 5 to 12. While children ages 2 to 5 are welcome to attend these concerts, 5 years is considered an appropriate lower age limit. Children 2 to 5 may attend the TSO's Young People's Concerts and Family Christmas Concert with ticket purchase, at their parents' discretion.
We regret we cannot allow children under 2 years of age into any TSO concert.Roy Thomson Hall staff will ask parents to take disruptive children out of the auditorium.
- top -