In-Person Experience

Do you want to learn more about the music? Come early for a pre-concert talk! Concert talks are an opportunity for conductors, musicians, and other experts to share a deep dive into topics like what a composer was inspired by, why a piece is considered difficult to play, or what to look for in a soloist’s performance. You'll take away knowledge that builds an even stronger connection to the music you’ll hear once the orchestra takes the stage.

Concert talks last 30 minutes and begin one hour prior to all PVS Classical Series performances except Friday morning Coffee Concerts. Check your email for a concert guide the week of your ticketed program for more info on that week’s talks!

Insider tip: you can sit anywhere in Orchestra Hall for a talk, so it’s a great chance to try out different seats and sections.

Sometimes it’s nice to have a treat when you’re out for an event. Concessions are available in the Shop @ The Max, as we have reimagined this space into a small cozy cafe. The Paradise Lounge on the second floor is a great place to grab unique, small plates and drinks for dinner before concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. And yes, we have options for different dietary needs!

Complimentary coffee is available on the first floor of the William Davidson Atrium during Friday morning Coffee Concerts. Head directly up to Paradise Lounge or the third floor for more seating.

Bars are located on all three levels of the atrium and in the Sosnick Courtyard during outdoor events—offering everything from trusty Diet Coke to beer, wine, specialty cocktails, and full-service spirits. Coolers and outside beverages are not allowed to be brought inside Sosnick Courtyard for outdoor events. 

If you find that you’ve waited in line during intermission, but hear the alert chimes that the show is about to start, don’t worry: You can take your drink with you to your seat and enjoy it with the show! You are welcome to bring drinks to your seat at all performances except Friday morning Coffee Concerts, but food must remain in the William Davidson Atrium. You may also talk to your trusty bartender to place a pre order to be ready with your name at intermission.

Drink vouchers can be purchased with concert tickets at the box office for quicker checkout.

Cell phones: they’re your computer, your camera, your watch, your calendar...but they can also be the light shining in someone’s face or the cause of a musician playing the wrong note. Your neighbors and the musicians appreciate your cooperation in turning your phone to silent and your brightness down while you’re keeping an eye on texts from the babysitter or looking up where a composer was born!

We love a good selfie (don’t forget to share your experiences using @DetroitSymphony and #IAMDSO) but remember that photography can be distracting to musicians and audience members. Please be cautious and respectful if you wish to take photos.

Note that flash photography, video recording, tripods, and cameras with detachable lenses are strictly prohibited.

Some of us love having a souvenir to remember an event with, and we’ve got you covered! DSO fans can visit shopdso.org to purchase DSO merchandise anytime.

If you’ve misplaced an item while onsite for an event, let an usher know and they will connect you with help! If you’re already home, call 313.576.5199, where help is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

While parts of the facility are historic, all areas of The Max have been modernized and most visitors will find the temperature typical of large indoor spaces. However, when in doubt: follow your mother’s advice and wear layers! Complimentary coat check is available on the first and third floors of the Atrium. Weather conditions for our outdoor concerts in Sosnick Courtyard is constantly changing. Be sure to check the weather forecast before attending and dress accordingly.

Our outdoor venue, Sosnick Courtyard, provides an open-air experience with live music and community greenspace. When attending events at Sosnick, we recommend that guests who opt for our first-come-first-served seating options bring their own lawn chair or blanket and anything else needed to enjoy an outdoor performance in the warm summer air. Beverages will be available for purchase at our outdoor bar. Outside beverages are not permitted in Sosnick Courtyard.

Complimentary WiFi is available throughout The Max. Look for the DSOGuest network on your device and follow the login directions. And be sure to tag your posts with #IAMDSO!

Accessibility matters. Whether you need ramp access for your wheelchair or are looking for sensory-friendly concert options, we are thinking of you.

The Max has elevators, barrier-free restrooms, and accessible seating on each level. Security staff are available at all entrances to help patrons requiring extra assistance in and out of vehicles. We offer donor and patron valet parking, and a golf cart-style courtesy shuttle for patrons who would like extra assistance entering The Max as well as all patrons who have paid for valet services. The DSO also offers sensory toolkits and a quiet room, available during every event at The Max. See below for more information.

DSO COURTESY SHUTTLE

Graciously donated by Lee and Floy Barthel, the DSO offers a golf cart-style courtesy shuttle for patrons who would like extra assistance entering The Max. The shuttle pick-up point is located on Parsons Street, near Sosnick Courtyard. This shuttle is available for all DSO patrons who need assistance as well as patrons who have paid for valet services, with priority given to those in need of assistance.

SENSORY TOOLKITS

Available at the Box Office during all events at The Max, the DSO offers sensory toolkits to use free of charge, courtesy of the Mid-Michigan Autism Association. The kits contain items that can help calm or stimulate a person with a sensory processing difference, including noise-reducing headphones and fidget toys.

WHAT
• A sensory toolkit contains items that can help calm or stimulate a person with a sensory processing difference. The DSO's kits contain noise-reducing headphones and a few fidget toys (e.g., fidget spinner).

WHY
• Sensory processing is how the brain processes sensory input (what you hear, smell, taste, touch). When someone's brain does not detect sensory inputs or does not respond appropriately, this is called a sensory processing difference. People can be over sensitive or under sensitive to sensory information. A sensory toolkit can be useful to help regulate the nervous system.

WHO
• Anyone can experience sensory processing differences, and they occur across a broad spectrum of severity. People with autism or attention deficit disorder frequently experience some amount of sensory processing differences.

WHERE
• Patrons can check out a sensory toolkit at the Box Office for any event at The Max. A current driver's license or other form of ID is required to be left at the Box Office while the toolkit is checked out.

QUIET ROOM

The DSO also has a quiet room, available for patrons to use at every performance, located on the third floor of the Atrium.

WHAT
• The quiet room is a dedicated space someone can visit to take a break when they are feeling overstimulated or overwhelmed while at The Max.

• Typically, a quiet room has three main features: soft/warm lighting, motor stimulation tools (e.g., exercise ball to sit/bounce on), and pressure/tactile tools (e.g., weighted lap pad).

WHO
• A quiet room is used by people who may need a “sensory” break, including people with autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, ADHD/ADD, Alzheimer’s/dementia, and PTSD.

WHY
• A quiet room provides individuals who process sensory inputs differently (i.e., those sensitive to sounds, smells, touch, or visual stimuli) with a quiet and calming environment.

• A quiet room is a resource that aids prevention, de-escalation, and self-regulation strategies.

WHERE
• The quiet room at The Max is located on the third floor of the Atrium.

The DSO’s Sennheiser MobileConnect hearing assistance system is available for all performances in Orchestra Hall. You can use your own mobile device and headphones by downloading the Sennheiser MobileConnect app here, or borrow a device at the Box Office. This system is made possible by the Michigan Ear Institute.

We often receive visits from Leader Dogs for the Blind pups in training! The Max is a great place for pups on the job to learn patience and how to focus, and dogs love classical music!

We’re happy to welcome guide, signal or service animals to aid guests with disabilities. Guests escorted by service animals may purchase accessible seating if service animal does not fit under one’s seat. Please contact the Box Office with any questions.

By attending a DSO event you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur.

By entering the event premises, you consent to having your likeness featured in photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, webcasts, promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, or any other purpose by the DSO. You release the DSO, its employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication of photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings.

By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by the DSO or the person or entity designated to do so by the DSO.

You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event.