• Strings: violin, viola, cello, bass
• Woodwinds: flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, bassoon
• Brass: horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba
• Percussion: timpani, harp, xylophone, keyboard

Will I recognize the music?
Odds are, you will recognize far more than you realize.  Many of today's popular songs, television shows and movies include selections from classical pieces, or borrowed from classical themes, like the Lone Ranger theme (Rossini's William Tell Overture), the Bugs Bunny cartoon "What's Opera Doc?" (Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie's), the United Airlines commercial (Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue), and many more.

Do I need to know the music before I attend?
No.  One of the great joys of going to a Symphony Orchestra Augusta concert is being introduced to a great piece of music you have never heard before, or listening to a superb performance of a piece you have not heard in years.  Some regular concert-goers do find they appreciate the performance more if they listen to a recorded piece before the concert so they can better anticipate their favorite parts, or listen for virtuoso playing of the more difficult passages and, many audience members find it enhances their enjoyment of the music if they take the time before the read the notes in the program about the compose and the pieces that are to be performed.  Masterworks concert patrons can attend Interludes, an opportunity to discuss the evening's performance and enjoy light refreshments.  Interludes begin at 7 p.m. and resume during intermission.

What is the difference between series and season?
A concert series is typically the months September through May.  A series is a set of pre-selected concerts that you can purchase as a package.  If you purchase a series, you become a subscriber.  Subscribers enjoy many benefits, which include sitting in the same seats for every season and ticket return privileges.

What should I wear?
Most people consider a concert by the Symphony Orchestra Augusta to be a special event, and tend to dress for the occasion in suites and ties, or nice dresses and pantsuits.  Many prefer business attire.  Formal dress-evening gowns and tuxedos - is generally worn only to our gala events.