Schermerhorn Symphony Center Rules
Thelma Gaylord PAT asks that guests read and understand the following rules and policies to maximize their enjoyment of their visit.
Accessible Policy
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center is designed to be barrier-free for all visitors by meeting or exceeding criteria established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This means that all public spaces, meeting rooms, offices, backstage dressing rooms and orchestra lounge, and production control rooms are built to accommodate performers, staff, and guests with disabilities.
If you need assistance or if you are the parent of a child with special needs, please call the box office at 615-687-6400. Their Ticket Services Specialists and house staff will do their best to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Applause Policy
Audiences tend to wait until all movements or sections of a piece are complete before clapping. The orchestra often pauses briefly for about 10-15 seconds between movements to allow for applause. Conductors will often signal when a piece is complete by putting his or her arms down and turning to the audience. You can check your program to learn how many movements you can expect.
Arrival Policy
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center recommends that you arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled concert or event to give you plenty of time to find your seat.
Bags and Purses Policy
Guests are allowed to bring purses and bags into the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. However, the staff reserves the right to search bags upon entry. Staff also reserves the right to ask that your bags be checked before entry to your scheduled concert or event.
Children Policy
Children are welcome to any Nashville Symphony concert as long as they have their ticket. Babies or toddlers are not allowed without a paid ticket as no lap seats are available. Symphony staff will ask parents to take disruptive children out of the concert hall. For families with young children, the Nashville Symphony has a Family Series of events that were made for younger audiences of ages 3-9.
For parents who are breastfeeding and would like privacy, you can ask an usher for the best location to feed your child.
Dress Policy
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center does not have a dress code because your comfort is their top priority. But most visitors and guests wear business clothes or dressy casual clothes. But you can expect to see jeans, khakis, cocktail dresses, and more. However, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center requests that you avoid wearing scented products such as cologne or perfumes to be sensitive to allergies that audience members may have.
Food and Beverage Policy
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center does not allow outside food and beverages on the premises. You can enjoy refreshments before the concert at the Urban Cookhouse café, which begins serving 90 minutes before every concert and remains open during intermissions when applicable.
Late Arrival Policy
For classical concerts, late seating is determined by the conductor of the evening’s performance. For other concerts, late seating policy is at the discretion of the artist and varies from performance to performance. The Schermerhorn Symphony Center recommends that you give yourself no less than 10 minutes to find your seats before curtain time. Production companies may restrict access to seating areas after the show begins, and late arrivals may be asked to wait in the lobby until a pre-determined break period.
To avoid frustration, please arrive early.
Lost and Found Policy
If you lost any items during your visit, please call the House Manager’s office at 615-687-6450. Please leave a message with your full name, contact information (phone number, address, email), detailed description of your lost items, as well as information about the performance you were visiting including the date. The House Manager will get back to you as soon as possible and will do their best to help you.
Lost Ticket Policy
If you lose your ticket, please call 615-687-6400 or visit the Schermerhorn Symphony Center box office in person to request a newly printed ticket. Please note that your old ticket will be voided to allow this reprinting.
Photography and Video Policy
Photography, video, and audio recording are prohibited in the concert hall or any space where performance or rehearsal is taking place. Cameras may only be used with prior approval by the artist and the Nashville Symphony’s Communication team. Photographers who are approved must be positioned in pre-approved locations within the venue.
Prohibited Items
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center prohibits the following items.
- Weapons of any kind
- Outside food and beverages
- Backpacks are allowed but must be left at coat check before the performance
- Purses and bags are allowed but are subject to search by Symphony Center staff. You may be asked to check purses and bags at coat check.
- Cameras with detachable lenses must be approved by the artist and the Nashville Symphony’s Communications office. Photography is not allowed in your seat and must be taken at pre-approved locations around the venue.
Refund Policy
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center does not offer refunds for any reason. But the Symphony Center will allow exchanges out of any concert in which the Nashville Symphony is performing up until 72 hours before the concert. Any presentation concerts in which the Nashville Symphony is not performing, except Jazz Series concerts, will not allow exchanges.
Single and group ticket buyers will be charged $10 per ticket as an exchange fee.
Tickets may not be exchanged less than 72 hours before the concert. You may call 615-687-6400 for more information.
Ticket Policy
All guests and visitors must have their tickets for concerts at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.