FAQ

The easiest way is to buy online through our secure, encrypted ticket-buying system.

You can also buy tickets by phone (503-228-1353), at our downtown Portland Ticket Office (909 SW Washington St), or at our customer service table at the hall starting two hours before the concert.

Print-at-home tickets: Your tickets will arrive via email – all you have to do is print them out before the concert!
Will call: Pick up your tickets at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall starting two hours before the concert.
Mail: Receive your tickets by mail if you order at least one week before the concert.

The Oregon Symphony is the only authorized seller of Oregon Symphony and Oregon Symphony Presents tickets. Tickets obtained via other sources are at the buyer’s own risk.

The Oregon Symphony is the only authorized seller of Oregon Symphony and Oregon Symphony Presents tickets. Tickets purchased from an unauthorized seller are often sold at a higher price than their face value and may be invalid, prohibiting entry. Tickets obtained via sources other than orsymphony.org or the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office are at the buyer’s own risk.

Things to watch out for:

• When you’re buying tickets online, make sure you’re on the official Oregon Symphony website, orsymphony.org. Some sites may seem to be official but are actually ticket resellers.
• If you encounter excessive fine print or multiple unexpected fees, you’re likely paying higher than face value for your tickets.
• If your tickets don’t list your specific section, row, and seat number, they are likely not to be valid.
• If a ticket seller asks you to sign for overnight delivery or will call tickets, do not buy the tickets – you will invalidate your ability to recover the fraudulent charges.

If you think you might be the victim of a third-party ticket seller, call our Ticket Office at 503-228-1353.

No problem – just call our Ticket Office or stop by the customer service table in the lobby at the concert.

You can generally exchange tickets to Classical, Pops, and Kids concerts by contacting our Ticket Office (subject to availability). A nominal fee applies, unless you are a subscriber. The deadline for all exchanges is 4 pm on the Friday before the concert.

Tickets to Special Concerts are not eligible for exchanges, but you are welcome to donate any ticket back to the Oregon Symphony as a tax-deductible contribution. 

Except in the unlikely event of a concert cancelation, the Oregon Symphony does not offer refunds.

Cancelations are exceedingly rare, but they are always announced on our homepage and social media as early as possible. In the event a concert is canceled you will receive information about whether the concert has been rescheduled and an overview of your options. 

If you’re a renewing subscriber, you get priority for seat changes based on when we receive your order and your history with the Oregon Symphony. If you’re a new subscriber, your seats will be assigned after the renewing subscribers based on when we receive your order. Seating confirmations are sent in early June.

If you buy or renew your subscription by the end of July, your tickets will arrive by mid-August.

If you buy after July, your tickets will arrive about two weeks before your first concert. If there isn’t enough time to mail them before your series begins, you’ll be able to pick them up at will call starting two hours before your first concert.

Yes! Sign up for our Picks & Previews newsletters to learn about special offers, get the best prices as soon as concerts go on sale, and learn about new concerts as they’re added throughout the season.

You’ll get the best discounts by subscribing to a series of concerts, available in fixed packages or Choose Your Own packages of eight or more tickets. Subscribers receive the lowest ticket prices, plus early access to added programs throughout the year.

The Oregon Symphony also offers discounts on select concerts to students, seniors, Oregon Trail cardholders, and groups of ten or more.

Our First Timer’s Guide has everything you need to know before you go!

ADA seating is available in the Orchestra and Mezzanine levels at all concerts – just let the Ticket Office know when you buy your tickets. The entrances on both Broadway and Park Streets are accessible. Elevators reach all levels of the hall except the Upper Balcony, but please note that a limited number of stairs must be ascended to enter the Lower Balcony and Upper Mezzanine levels.

Infrared listening devices are available at the Cloak Room before all concerts. We also offer large-print programs for Classical and Pops concerts at the Customer Service Table in the concert hall’s lobby. Braille programs and American Sign Language interpretation can be made available if requested at least four weeks in advance.

If you have any further accessibility questions or requests, our Ticket Office is happy to help.

In general, our kid-friendly concerts and educational programs are a better fit for children under age seven than our regular concerts. No children younger than three are allowed (except at Kids Concerts). 

Regardless of age, all concertgoers must have a ticket, and anyone who causes a disruption to other concertgoers will be asked to leave.

You might be surprised to hear that we sometimes encourage you to take pictures with your phone, or to participate on social media. Most of the time, though, we’ll ask you to silence your phone before the concert begins. If you aren’t sure, just ask an usher and they’ll be glad to let you know. The best photo opportunities are right before the conductor arrives and immediately following the concert.

Audio and video recording are not allowed at Oregon Symphony concerts out of respect for the performers and your fellow concertgoers.

In consideration of those with fragrance allergies, please don’t wear strong perfumes at the concert.

Our Directions & Parking page has everything you need to know!

View our Recommended Restaurants & Hotels near the hall.

You’ll find the Will Call booth right outside the hall’s entrance on SW Broadway.

Yes – if you enter at the SW Broadway entrance, the Cloak Room is found on the opposite side of the lobby, past concessions. A small fee applies.

A variety of snacks and drinks are available at concessions stations in the lobby and Lower Balcony levels of the hall starting one hour before the concert and at intermission. 

You can bring a water bottle into the hall at any concert, but all other food and drinks must be consumed in the lobby at Classical Concerts. Drinks from concessions can often be brought into the hall at Special Concerts – just ask an usher if you are unsure.

Skip the line: Pre-order drinks for intermission by stopping by concessions before the concert!

Generally yes, at a suitable break in the program. This is usually after the first piece or at intermission, as determined by the program.

Some programs do not have an intermission or another opportunity for late seating. Sign up for our Concert Concierge emails for a concert reminder with the most up-to-date information about late seating.

Call Portland’5 Centers for the Arts at 503-274-6551.

A symphony orchestra is an ensemble made up of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. The Oregon Symphony plays music from all different genres and styles.

The Oregon Symphony has 76 full-time members, but you’ll notice that each concert features more or fewer musicians depending on the music performed.

Here are a few easy ways to engage with the music:

• Symphony emails: Sign up to receive emails with insider stories about the music, the guest artists, our musicians, and more!

• Concert Conversations: Get to the hall an hour before Classical Series concerts to enjoy a lively pre-concert discussion between hosts from All Classical Portland and guests like Music Director Carlos Kalmar, visiting conductors, and members of the orchestra. Learn more

• Online: Visit our concert pages to read program notes, discover recommended recordings, and learn about the performers in the weeks leading up to the concert. You’ll also find this information in your program book when you arrive at the hall.

Browse our historical timeline to discover the Oregon Symphony's rich history, from past conductors and milestones to recent successes like our Grammy nomination and groundbreaking SoundSights Series.

We couldn’t do our work in the community without the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, who donate their time to everything from visiting local classrooms to helping out around the office.

Learn more and get involved