FAQ
FAQ
Tickets can be ordered online or over the phone at 403.571.0849. Tickets will be sent to you electronically. You can either print them at home and bring them with you or show them on your mobile device when you arrive at the concert.
Yes! For concerts in the Jack Singer Concert Hall, you can visit the box office starting one hour before the performance, and our Sales Team will get you one of the best-remaining seats in the hall for just $25. Our Box Office is located in the foyer of the Jack Singer Concert Hall.
Rush tickets are not available when the concert is Sold-Out or at other venues (Jubilee Auditorium, Bella Concert Hall, Grace Presbyterian Church, Suncor Energy Centre, etc.)
There are a number of covered and outdoor lots for you to choose from. Underground parking is available at Arts Commons, the Civic Plaza (City Hall Parkade), and TELUS Convention Centre. There is also street parking and surface lots available along 9th Avenue. If you take the CTrain, the stations are located one block from Arts Commons (City Hall and Centre Street Stations). Bike racks can also be found on Stephen Avenue in front of the Jack Singer Concert Hall. More information and rates can be found at Getting Here and Calgary Parking Authority.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the ongoing renovations of the Glenbow Museum, the +15 walkway connecting Arts Commons to the TELUS Convention Centre/Glenbow Museum will be closed as of June 2022 until further notice. This will affect patrons parking at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel and TELUS Convention Centre who wish to use the +15 walkways to enter Arts Commons. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Don’t worry — we know that even the best-laid plans can go sideways. Ushers do their best to seat latecomers at appropriate breaks in the performance, but in some cases, this may not be possible until the completion of an entire piece. We don’t want you to miss anything, so you can listen to the music and watch the performance on screens in the lobby.
Concert length varies, but a typical performance starting at 7:30PM is about two hours long, including a 20-minute intermission. Some concerts may not have an intermission – this is noted on the event page. Symphony Sundays for Kids concerts are held on select Sundays at 3PM and are usually one hour long with no intermission.
Arts Commons, home to the Jack Singer Concert Hall, has implemented a hospital-grade Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) solution in the building. This technology provides effective air sterilization through ultraviolet germicidal lights that produce short wavelength light that destroys the genetic material in the nucleus of cells of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and moulds. Their UVGI system is installed in the ducts of the building’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems and irradiates the small airborne particles containing microorganisms as the air flows through the return air ducts in the spaces. Treating the air at these locations also ensures that the air exhausted from the building is sterilized. In addition, venues, high-traffic areas, and frequently touched surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized before, during, and after every event, in every venue. Energy-efficient MERV 15A air filters (used in general areas of hospitals) have been installed to optimize air quality throughout the building.
There are two gender-neutral washrooms on the main floor. You can find a women’s washroom beside the coat check and on the dress circle level, and a men’s washroom next to the Founders’ Room entrance, and on the dress circle level.
Aside from the occasional concert, drinks are permitted! You’re invited to arrive a little early, mingle with your fellow music fans, and enjoy a beverage in the lobby before the show begins. You can also pre-order a round for pick up from the bar at intermission.
One of the joys of a live concert is the ability to sit back and experience the music without distractions, but we also know you don’t want to miss an important message. If you leave your mobile device on, we simply ask that you turn off the sound and turn down the brightness so it’s not distracting, and take care to be considerate of your neighbours.
Audiences usually hold their applause until the end of an entire piece (there can be multiple movements, with short breaks between them, in one piece). This is intended to respect the performers’ focus and the flow of the music. You’ll know when a piece is finished by watching the conductor, who will typically lower their arms completely and turn to face the audience. But if you do happen to clap before the piece is finished, that’s okay! The musicians will be pleased to know you’re enjoying the performance!
Whatever you want! At the Calgary Philharmonic there is no formal dress code. We want you to feel happy and relaxed so you can enjoy the performance. Most people wear business-casual attire, but you will see everything from jeans to cocktail wear. Dress in your own style and what makes you most comfortable.
We’re happy when people want to share their experience at a Calgary Philharmonic performance. For most concerts, you can take a quick photo or a short video for social media, but please be considerate of your neighbours and remember that you cannot use a flash — as you can imagine, it interferes with the musician’s ability to see their music.
E-tickets can be downloaded from your account. If you need your tickets printed for any reason, please visit the Box Office outside the concert hall on your way in.
If you are sick, not comfortable attending a concert, or simply have a change in plans, our team is happy to exchange your tickets for another performance or put the value of the tickets into a credit on your account for future use. For more information, please see our Ticket Policies.
The Calgary Philharmonic is made up of 66 full-time musicians, and depending on the concert, you may see some extra musicians onstage as well. Every musician must go through a rigorous audition process to win their seat in the Orchestra, so you’re seeing the best of the best. You can read more about them on our Meet the Orchestra page.
The concertmaster leads the first violin section, tunes the orchestra, and often plays solos. They are the bridge between the conductor and the musicians, and may even take on the role of conductor by leading the Orchestra if the music requires. The Calgary Philharmonic’s concertmaster is Diana Cohen.
Philharmonic means ‘loving harmony’ and symphony means ‘sounding together.’ Historically, the words reflected slight differences, but today they’re considered to be interchangeable.
The Jack Singer Concert Hall has excellent acoustics, so every seat is a good seat. If we have a guest artist like a pianist, some people like to sit up close on the left side, so they have a better view of their hands, while others like to sit on the right side, so they have a better view of their face. Some people prefer the sound from further back and/or higher up, where they also have a view of the entire orchestra.
The Orchestra setup may be different than what you’re used to because Maestro Rune Bergmann prefers to use the European String Setup, while previous music directors favoured the North American String Setup. Orchestra setup depends on personal preference and varies between conductors — Maestro Bergmann likes it this way because he feels it provides the best sound in the Jack Singer Concert Hall. Soloists typically stand at the front, just to the side of the conductor.
We are a Resident Company of Arts Commons, but the Jack Singer Concert Hall is owned and operated by Arts Commons.
Ticket sales don’t fully cover the costs of running an Orchestra. Hiring musicians, obtaining music scores and proper licenses, renting the hall, and bringing in guest artists are just some of the big expenses required. We rely on grants and donations to keep the lights on and the music playing. We are a registered charity, and you can donate here.
To be a subscriber, you must buy tickets to three or more Calgary Phil concerts. You can choose to subscribe to a Curated Series featuring the music you want to hear — from classical to pops to family-friendly shows — or you can Compose Your Own selection by choosing the concerts you want when you want them. Being a subscriber gets you Season-long discounts, free reprints, priority seating, a Subscriber Rewards Program offering perks at local businesses, and more. Visit our Subscribers page to learn more.
Yes, we love feedback! Whether it’s a question, comment, or concern, if you have something you’d like us to play, or if you just want to say hi, send a message to [email protected].
Senior at the Calgary Phil means anyone ages 65+.
Student at the Calgary Phil means anyone ages 13-18, and anyone over 18+ who is currently enrolled at a post secondary institution in Canada.
All children under age 12 qualify for children’s ticket pricing at the Calgary Phil.
Yes! The Jack Singer Concert Hall is equipped with an infrared Assisted Listening Device. Best coverage is in the orchestra section, with partial coverage in the mezzanine.
Both stethoscope receivers and t-coil loop receivers are available at coat check for use in the Concert Hall.
The Calgary Philharmonic and Ticketmaster are the only official sellers of Calgary Phil tickets. We have received increased reports of unauthorized tickets being sold on third party sites. The Calgary Phil cannot confirm the validity of tickets sold on other platforms and may not be able to honour them. The Calgary Phil does not have partnerships or agreements authorizing the sale of concert tickets through any platform other than Ticketmaster.ca.