We hope our answers to these Frequently Asked Questions will help you better plan your visit. If you still need more information, don’t hesitate to contact us at 407.646.2182 or info@bachfestivalflorida.org.

What should I wear to a Bach Festival Society performance?
Audience members wear a range of dress to performances, from dressy to casual. If you are a first-time attendee to the Bach Festival Society, you may feel most comfortable in business casual attire.

How long does a performance usually last?
Including intermission, concerts generally last 2 to 2½ hours—the same amount of time it would take to see a movie!

When should I applaud during a concert?
During a classical music performance, it is customary to wait until the end of a piece to applaud. Most classical pieces have several movements—the program will help you know how many movements a piece has. Additionally, the conductor will signal when a piece is over by dropping his or her hands and relaxing. If you’re still unsure about when applause is appropriate, wait for someone else in the audience to clap.

At the beginning of a concert, it is also an established tradition to clap for the concertmaster (the principal first violinist), the conductor, and any soloists when they come onto the stage. 

May I bring my child to a concert?
Yes! We have a special concert series just for families. The Fred Rogers Concert Series takes place on Saturday mornings at 11am throughout the season. These concerts are shorter and more interactive in nature, making them the perfect place to expose your child to classical music. Older children are welcome to attend all of our concerts. The annual Holiday Concert is particularly fun for families to attend together to kick-off the holiday season.

May I attend a rehearsal of the Bach Festival Society?
The Bach Festival Society has closed rehearsals to allow the conductor to focus solely on the choir and orchestra without distraction. As part of the annual Bach Festival, there is always one open rehearsal that is free to the public, which gives our visitors a chance to look “behind the scenes” at what it takes to bring a major choral work together.

Where are the most convenient restrooms and water fountains to the Knowles Memorial Chapel?
The chapel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and will celebrate its 75th anniversary in the spring of 2008. Because of its age, it is not equipped with restrooms and water fountains to accommodate large numbers of guests. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Ample restrooms and water fountains are located in Keene Hall, directly behind the Knowles Memorial Chapel. Restrooms can also be found in Annie Russell Theatre, directly beside the chapel.