Frequently Asked Questions

The health and safety of our patrons, musicians and staff is our top priority. We are closely following the social distancing guidelines released by the CDC, Governor Brown, and the Oregon Health Authority, and will adhere to their recommendations for concerts at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland and Smith Auditorium in Salem.

Our partners at Portland'5, Oregon Metro’s Performing Arts Center, who manage the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, are working hard to secure the safety of all patrons in the concert hall. Recently, the concert hall received certification from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC), composed of international leaders in the field of microbial-pathogenic threat analysis, mitigation, response, and recovery. This accreditation means the facility is implementing the industry’s highest standard for cleaning and disinfection of infectious agents like the coronavirus.

Additionally, Portland'5 has upgraded the filters in all air handlers that serve significant portions of public and performance spaces and are also following state recommendations on incorporating outside air into ventilation systems. Smith Auditorium in Salem will also be upgrading all air filters in the performance venue. 

As always, in conjunction with Portland'5, we will continue to follow all State and Oregon Health Authority guidelines regarding health and safety measures, including regarding mask-wearing requirements.

For more information, visit https://www.portland5.com/coronavirus-update

The Oregon Symphony recently conducted an analysis of patrons’ ticket purchasing behavior and the organization’s ticket pricing structure. The study examined the Oregon Symphony’s last four complete seasons. The historical data revealed that the Symphony’s pricing structure had not been updated to reflect current ticket purchasing behaviors and prices did not coincide with ticket demand. A large-scale price restructuring and re-zoning of the hall had not been implemented in over a decade. 

As a result, beginning in the 2021/22 Season, some seating sections may incur a price increase while other sections may decrease in price. For some subscribers, this may mean the package price has changed with the 2021/22 Season. 

If you have any questions, please call the Ticket Office and we will be happy to help.

Many of our subscribers elected to move 2020/21 Season funds, from tickets purchased for concerts that were canceled, to the 2021/22 Season. If you did so, and had a surplus of funds on your account, we’ve allocated the surplus total as a credit that you will be able to use for any add-on concerts in the 2021/22 Season. If you have any questions about this balance, please don’t hesitate to call the Ticket Office.

Some subscribers elected to transfer a portion of their previous season payment to the 21/22 season and chose another option for the remaining portion (donation, refund, gift card). If you are one of these subscribers, we have applied the exact amount you asked to have transferred to the 2021/22 Season, and your renewal form reflects the balance due.

If your 20/21 subscription was not fully paid, you may have a balance due for the 21/22 Season. If so, your renewal form reflects this balance.

In the 2021/22 Season, we will be launching a new Choose Your Own Subscription program. The new program, available in June, is designed to be more accessible while continuing the unique benefit for patrons to choose specific concerts to create their own subscriptions. Prior to the CYO launch, patrons may want to consider purchasing a fixed seat subscription, which offers the best seats at the best price. A fixed seat subscription includes the added benefit of easy, no-fee ticket exchanges and early access to newly added concerts.

All gift cards issued after March 12, 2020 will be valid through the end of the 2021/22 Season, June 2022.

Although we are unable to gather in person for live performances due to the status of the pandemic, our musicians and staff continue to create engaging and meaningful musical content for our patrons and community. In addition to a brand-new series of videos capturing never-before-seen performances of classical music conducted by Music Director Carlos Kalmar and performed by Oregon Symphony musicians, stay tuned for more new episodes in our other ongoing digital series:

• Essential Sounds, a collective musical tribute to the organizations and individuals holding communities together during the pandemic. The free digital series includes rich performances, revealing interviews and lighthearted interludes.
• Symphony Storytime, an entertaining and educational video series designed for pre-K through elementary aged children and their families. The free digital series features Oregon Symphony musicians accompanying the reading of illustrated children’s books. Episodes are in English and Spanish.
• minute for music, one-minute music videos created for you by the Oregon Symphony musicians with everything from their personal favorite pieces to a “day in the life of....”

We will share all important updates, as well as the latest content from the Oregon Symphony, in our email newsletter. You can sign up now.

The Creative Alliance is a continuing and evolving coalition of artists, with the purpose of bringing the unique perspectives of cultural thought-leaders and musical innovators to the Oregon Symphony stage. The initiative will continue and evolve into future seasons.

Those who are in the position to do so are encouraged to make an additional gift to support the Oregon Symphony at orsymphony.org/give.