Frequently Asked Questions

• Concert Arrival

  What should I expect or prepare for before my visit?
  All venues now require patrons to be subject to a bag search and electronic wanding before entering the concert hall. No backpacks, weapons of any kind including pocket knives, or outside food or drink will be permitted. Please allow plenty of time to park downtown and go through security.

  Knoxville Civic Auditorium has implemented a clear bag policy. Please review before attendance.

  How do I get to the concert?
  The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performs in various venues located within Knoxville and the surrounding areas.

  Tennessee Theater
  The Moxley Carmicheal Masterworks Series concerts are performed in the Tennessee Theatre.
  604 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN
  (865) 684-1200

  Bijou Theatre
  The Chamber Classics Series concerts are performed in the Bijou Theater.
  803 South Gay Street, Knoxville, TN
  (865) 522-0832

  Civic Auditorium
  The Knoxville News Sentinel Pops Series concerts are performed in the Civic Auditorium.
  500 Howard Baker Ave, Knoxville, TN
  (865) 215-8900

  Elks Lodge
  The Q Series concerts are performed at the Elks Lodge.
  5600 Lonas Drive, Knoxville, TN

  Knoxville Museum of Art
  The Merchant & Gould Concertmaster Series concerts are performed at the Knoxville Museum of Art.
  1050 World’s Fair Park Drive, Knoxville TN, 37916

   

  Where can I park?
  We have included a list below of parking options for each of the venues we perform at that.

  Tennessee Theatre
  State Street Garage (free after 6pm)
  Locust Street Garage (free after 6pm)
  Market Street Garage (free after 6pm)
  Dwight Kessel Garage (free after 6pm)
  On-street metered parking ($$)

  Bijou Theatre
  Market Street Garage (free on weekends)
  Locust Street Garage (free on weekends)
  Dwight Kessel Garage (free on weekends)
  State Street Garage (free on weekends)**
  On-street metered parking (free on weekends)
  First Horizon Plaza Garage ($$)

  **Chariots of Hire will provide free shuttle services before and after Chamber Classics performances from the State Street Garage. The shuttle will start operating at 1:30 p.m. and make continuous loops between the garage and the theatre until 2:30 p.m.

  Civic Auditorium
  Civic Auditorium Parking Garage ($$)

  Elks Lodge
  Venue parking lot (free)

  Knoxville Museum of Art
  KMA Parking Lot (free)
  World’s Fair North Lot (free)
  On-street metered parking ($$)

  Want more parking options? All downtown parking lots can be found on the Downtown Knoxville website. The K.I.S.S. Caboose and Knoxville Trolley offer free rides in and around the downtown Knoxville area.

  How long will the concert be?
  Concert length varies, but most concerts are approximately two hours long with one 15-minute intermission.

  What is the KSO’s accessibility plan?
  The KSO strives to ensure that its services are accessible to people with disabilities. All venues where the KSO performs (Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre, Civic Auditorium, Knoxville Museum of Art, and The Elks Lodge) are ADA compliant with lobby elevators (excluding the Civic Auditorium where all handicap accessible seating is on the main floor), ushers are available for assistance, assistive listening devices are available free of charge, accessible restrooms are present on all levels, and guide dogs are accommodated. Wheelchair-accessible seats are available for purchase online and over the phone at the KSO box office. The digital program book is accessible to all patrons and can be zoomed in to a large text format and is screen reader compatible.

  If you have questions about a specific venue or other accessibility questions, please call the KSO box office at 865-291-3310.

  How can I access the concert program?
  The KSO offers a digital program for all events. It is easy to use, interactive, and accessible on mobile phones and tablets.

  Text “program” to 865-270-0091 to access our digital program book. Or visit https://audienceaccess.co/KSO to view the digital program on your desktop.

• Concert Etiquette

  What should I wear?
  There is no dress code. Most concertgoers wear business, business casual, or cocktail attire, but we encourage you to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.

  Should I bring the kids?
  Children are welcome at all performances. However, our regular subscription concerts may be too long for young children and are not recommended for those under the age of 5. The Holiday Concerts and Library Story Time program are designed to entertain children and families.

  Tickets are required for children ages 2 and up. The KSO offers free concert entry for K-12 students to any classical concert with a purchase of at least one adult ticket. Learn more about the Penny4Arts program or the Knox County Library Read City Explorer Pass.

  Can I take pictures?
  Photography, video, and audio recording are prohibited in the concert hall or in any other space where a performance or rehearsal is taking place. Photographers must be approved by the KSO’s Director of Communications and will be positioned in pre-approved locations within the venue.

• Mobile Tickets

  Does the KSO print physical tickets?
  The KSO utilizes mobile tickets for all concerts which will be emailed in advance of the concert.

  How do mobile tickets work?
  You will receive an email from [email protected] with a PDF attachment of your ticket(s). Open the PDF on your mobile device, or print the PDF and bring it with you to the event for the ushers to scan the QR code on the front of the ticket. You may add your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay by clicking on the icon when available.

  If any copies are made of the ticket, only the first scan will be allowed entry.

  When will I receive my tickets?
  The KSO box office will send mobile tickets via email 48 hours prior to a concert. If you have not received your tickets in that timeframe, check your junk/spam folder or contact the box office at 865-291-3100 or [email protected] for assistance.

  How do I transfer a ticket to somebody else?
  You can forward the email, with the PDF ticket(s) attached, to the person you would like to receive the tickets. Alternatively, you can add the tickets to your mobile wallet and transfer them through the wallet feature for both Apple and Android phones.

  What if I have multiple people in my group attending?
  If you purchased the tickets at once, all of the tickets will be within the same PDF attachment. You can open the attachment and the ushers will scan each QR code. If you want to add the tickets to your Apple Wallet, you will need to save each ticket to your mobile wallet. If tickets were not distributed prior to concert entry, all patrons should enter at the same time. If tickets were previously printed or distributed via mobile wallet, then patrons may enter separately.

  What if I can’t access my email at the door?
  If your tickets have been added to your mobile wallet, there is no need to access the email. Just open the wallet app and present your tickets to the ushers.

  If you have not added your tickets to your mobile wallet or have not printed out your tickets, you can go to the ticket booth and a KSO representative will assist you.

  What if my ticket isn’t scanning at the door?
  Check that the brightness on your phone is set to 50% or higher. If the ticket is still not scanning, you can go to the ticket booth and a KSO representative will assist you.

  What if I lose/delete my ticket email?
  Please contact the KSO box office Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 865-291-3100 or [email protected] and a new copy of your ticket email will be sent to you. If after hours or at a concert, please head to the ticket booth and a KSO representative will assist you.