Welcome!
If you’re reading this, you may be joining us soon for a concert, and we couldn’t be happier. We care deeply about engaging with new audience members and ensuring that you have a great experience and will want to return. The following are questions that we have been asked by first-time audience members. If you'd like any additional information, just let us know on Facebook or by email, or give us a call at 215-569-8080. We look forward to hearing from you!
Where are your concerts?
Concerts take place at the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater and other convenient Center City locations, including the American Philosophical Society's Benjamin Franklin Hall and the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. For complete venue information, see our venues page.
How much do tickets cost?
A key part of our mission is to make leading artists and great music accessible to everyone in our community. We achieve this by keeping our ticket prices as low as possible, and through our education and outreach efforts.
Single tickets range from $20 to $30, with savings of up to 25% if you subscribe. Every seat in the house is priced the same—we do not have tiered pricing. You may also consider purchasing a full season pass, which allows you to attend any or all of our concerts this season for one low price.
Even lower-priced full season passes are available for students (age 35 and younger) and young friends (age 40 and younger), and individual student tickets cost just $10 each. Discounted tickets are also available for groups of 10 or more.
What's a good seat?
Our box office staff loves this question and would enjoy walking you through the options. Don't hesitate to give them a call (215-569-8080) for their assessment of the seating options at any event.
While the definition of a “good seat” is subjective, all of our performances take place in intimate venues that are well-suited for chamber music, where you can experience the artists up close. A few common opinions:
- Acoustics are often best up in the balconies (ideally in the center).
- Sight lines are very good from most vantage points; left-of-center on any level offers “keyboard views.”
- Box seats at the Perelman Theater provide the most legroom and are the most accessible, and aisle seats are also very convenient (which is why these seats sell out quickly).
If you have a seating request or special requirement, please note them at checkout, and our box office staff will do their best to accommodate you.
What do I wear?
Whatever you want! There's no dress code at our concerts. Whether formal or casual, we just want you to be comfortable and enjoy the music.
How can I study up before I go?
From playlists to videos to preview notes, the concert pages on our website are a great place to start. If you're on our e-mail list, we'll also send you a bunch of handy info a few days before your concert to help you get ready. Go figure, but we all also really love talking music and artists. Give us a call anytime, drop into our office, or stop by our box office table before the concert, and let's chat.
How long is a concert?
Most concerts run between an hour and a half and two hours. Program lengths can vary, though, so check the preview notes on the concert page and our pre-concert emails (sent 2-3 days prior to each performance) for the most precise timings. Most concerts feature a 15-minute intermission about midway through the performance.
When do I applaud?
Applause is generally reserved for the conclusion of a piece so as not to disturb the concentration of the artists. When you're blown away by a performance, by all means go wild!
Can I use my phone?
No one likes phones ringing or making other noises during the performance, so we ask that you silence yours before the performance starts. We do encourage you to share your experience with others, though, so feel free to check in on Facebook or snap an Instagram shot before the performance—just make sure your phone is on silent during the concert out of consideration for the artists.
Where do I park?
Convenient parking is available at all our venues, with discounted parking offered at many locations. Check each venue page for a list of options: Perelman Theater, American Philosophical Society, Church of the Holy Trinity. If you're receiving your tickets by mail, a list of parking options and prices is included in the envelope with your tickets.
What if I can't make it to the concert?
Don't worry, our exchange policy is extremely flexible. Provided you contact us before noon on the day of the concert, we'll happily exchange your tickets for another PCMS event (subject to availability) free of charge. Please note if you are exchanging discounted tickets or going from a non-Kimmel Center event into an event at the Perelman Theater, there may be an additional balance on your order. Sorry, but refunds are not possible.
What if the concert I want to attend is sold out?
Due in part to our exchange policy, we often have a handful of tickets returned in the days before a concert—and we make it our mission to get those tickets right into the hands of people who want to go. So if a concert that you want to hear is sold out and your plans are somewhat flexible, join the waiting list for that performance by giving us a call or shooting us an email. We'll note your request and be in touch if and when seats open up. While we can't guarantee it, the waiting list works more often that you might think—and if it doesn't, it won't be for lack of trying on our part.
What else should I expect?
An experience that is fundamentally human, and yet transcendent, shared with a group of people who love great music and believe that it should be accessible to everyone.
Meet Our Venues
A founding resident company of Ensemble Arts Philly, the Chamber Music Society presents concerts at the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater, as well as in collaboration with the American Philosophical Society and other Philadelphia cultural institutions.
Practical information to help you make the most of your concert experience
Have a question that’s not answered here? Send us a message on Facebook or by email, or give us a call at 215-569-8080.
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Accessibility
All PCMS venues are accessible, and seating is reserved for patrons with special needs. When ordering your tickets, simply inform the box office of any accessibility concerns, and we'll do the rest. Please note: patrons attending concerts at the American Philosophical Society or Church of the Holy Trinity should call the box office in advance for accessibility instructions.
Applause
Applause is generally reserved for the conclusion of a piece so as not to disturb the concentration of the artists. When you're blown away by a performance, by all means go wild!
Cell phones
No one likes phones ringing or making other noises during the performance, so we ask that you silence yours before the performance starts. We do encourage you to share your experience with others, though, so feel free to check in on Facebook or snap an Instagram shot before the performance—just make sure your phone is on silent during the concert out of consideration for the artists.
Covid protocols
While PCMS encourages mask-wearing at our concerts, masks are optional at all PCMS performances. This policy is consistent with those at the Kimmel Center, American Philosophical Society, and Church of the Holy Trinity. We also urge our audiences to be up-to-date on Covid and flu vaccines. For future updates on our safety procedures, please visit this page or join our email list.
Food & Drink
Light fare and beverages are available at concessions areas in the Kimmel Center. Learn more about the Center's dining options here.
At the Kimmel Center, you can now bring a beverage into the Perelman Theater with a reusable Kimmel spill proof cup. They are available for purchase at the bar for $5, and you will receive $1 off on future drink orders when reusing the cup. Please note that the Kimmel only allows reusable spill proof cups or bottled water in the theater, and only beverages with no ice are permitted inside for classical performances.
At American Philosophical Society concerts, we host a "Social Series" of curated tasting events that connect our audience with our area's finest purveyors of food and drink. These complimentary tastings take place before the concerts and at intermission and highlight cheesemongers, brewers, chocolatiers, vintners, bakers, coffee roasters, and more. Tea, coffee, and light snacks are also available for a nominal price at our concession table.
Pre-Concert Talks
About half of our events feature a free pre-concert talk with a respected musical scholar. These informal talks are designed to deepen your connection to the music you're about to hear. Weeknight talks begin at 6:30 pm, and Sunday talks begin at 1:45 pm. All take place at the Kimmel Center in the Comcast Circle unless otherwise noted. For a complete listing, please visit this page.
Say Hello
There's nothing we love more than connecting with our audience. Our staff attends every concert and is genuinely eager to hear from you about your experience. So stop by our box office table, tell us your thoughts, and come back again and again. A member recently told us, "I feel like I'm coming home when I'm here," and we hope to share that communal feeling with you too.