THSO Newcomer Guide

Campus Parking Lots

There are numerous parking lots throughout Indiana State University's campus that are free and open to the public on weekends.

Nearby Parking Garages

ISU Parking Garage

750 Cherry Street

Terre Haute, IN 47807

This parking garage is 0.1 miles from Tirey Hall and is approximately a 2-minute walk. The THSO is proud to offer free parking for THSO patrons in the ISU Parking Garage from 4pm to 11pm for all concerts. The normal rate is $1.00 per hour with a daily rate of $6.00.

Sky Garden Parking Garage

403 Wabash Avenue

Terre Haute, IN 47807

The Sky Garden Parking Garage is 0.3 miles from Tirey Hall and is approximately a 5-minute walk. The rate is only $1.50 per hour with a daily rate of $8.00.

Other Parking Options

When other lots are full, street parking in the downtown area is available.

The shortest entry to access the elevator at Tilson is to use the service drive between Tirey Hall and Fairbanks Hall off 7th Street. Signage will be posted to help guide you. Please note the elevator only goes to the first level of Tilson and does not go to the balcony seats.

We suggest you arrive at least 30 minutes early (7:00 p.m.). Concerts at Tilson Auditorium begin at 7:30 p.m. Concert Conversations begins at 6:45 p.m. (see below)

There is plenty to do before the concert!

• Supper at the Symphony is served at 5:30 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom (see below).

• Concert Conversations starts at 6:45 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom (see below).

• Grab a drink from the cash bar in the McKee Family Heritage Lounge (MFHL)

• Visit the THSO merchandise table

• Pick up a program to read about the repertoire and guest artists

• Find your seat and listen to the orchestra warm up

Are there trains in Terre Haute…? Of course! Wine, beer, and soft drinks will be available for purchase before the concert and at intermission in the McKee Family Heritage Lounge. At this time, drinks must be consumed before you enter Tilson Auditorium (we’re working on it!)

Supper at the Symphony is a delectable three course meal served in the Heritage Ballroom of Tirey Hall, right down the hall from Tilson Auditorium. The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, and dinner is served promptly at 5:30pm. Supper tickets are $25/person. Guests are seated at tables of 8. Sign up for our email list to make sure you don’t miss when reservations open. Reservations will open 2-3 weeks before the concert date. Make sure to act fast as reservations go quickly! Click Tickets in the top menu and select Supper at the Symphony.

Concert Conversations starts at 6:45 p.m. and is free and open to all ticket holders! Artistic Director Dr. David Bowden will discuss the repertoire and interview the guest artists or musicians from the THSO. Concert Conversations takes place in the Heritage Ballroom in Tirey Hall. When you enter the ballroom, open chairs are available along the back and side walls.

Coat check is free of charge to all symphony patrons! It is located in the Tilson Auditorium Lobby next to the McKee Family Heritage Lounge.

The women’s restroom is located in the Tilson Auditorium lobby and the men’s restroom is located in the hallway to the right of the auditorium doors. There are additional restrooms located on the balcony level and downstairs.

There is no dress code! We want you to feel comfortable when you enjoy a symphony concert. If you want a good excuse to break out your finest attire, go for it! Most guests will be wearing casual clothing, so don’t worry, you won't be out of place. Whatever you choose, we can’t wait to see you there!

THSO concerts are very child-friendly! If your child does become fussy, feel free to step out into the lobby with them so as not to disrupt the concert for other guests or the musicians.

Cell phones should be silenced and patrons should not use their phone during the concert as the light disturbs other patrons and the musicians. If there is an emergency, please feel free to step out of the auditorium.

We ask that you do not take pictures while the musicians are performing. However, feel free to take pictures before the concert, during intermission, or after the concert to capture your memory and share it on social media with #THSO or #TerreHauteSymphonyOrchestra.

Concerts start promptly at 7:30 p.m. The house lights will begin to dim to indicate the show is about to begin. When you notice the lights begin to dim, make your way to your seat, get comfy, and enjoy the show!

Concerts at Tilson Auditorium begin at 7:30 p.m., and the typical duration is approximately 2 hours, including a 20 minute intermission.

Life happens (or you get railroaded)! Once the music has begun, our ushers will close the doors of the auditorium. However, ushers will allow patrons to enter the auditorium at a suitable break in the program. Ushers will be available to help you find your seats.

If you need to leave during the performance, the best time to exit the auditorium is after a piece is finished (during applause). However, we understand that emergencies happen. If you need to leave while the orchestra is performing, please slip out quietly (don’t let the door slam!)

Sometime in the 20th century, it became the norm to only applaud at the end of a piece and never between movements (a section of music within a larger piece of music). This tradition is changing in the orchestra world. We encourage you to clap when you feel moved to do so, even after a movement or following an amazing solo.

Think of it as half-time! Intermission is a chance for guests to stretch their legs, visit the restroom, or even grab a drink from the cash bar located in the McKee Family Heritage Lounge (MFHL). (Pro-Tip: pre-order your drink in MFHL before the concert begins so you can pick it up during intermission!)

There are several ways to become more involved with the Symphony! Visit thso.org and select support to see the different options.

• Volunteer for concerts and events at thso.org

• Join the Symphony League, our premier volunteer group that plans fundraisers and community engagement events for the THSO

• Like, follow, and share content on our social media pages

  • Facebook: @terrehautesymphonyorchestra

  • Instagram: @terrehautesymphony

  • Youtube: @TerreHauteSymphonyOrchestra

• Purchase a THSO t-shirt or sweatshirt from our merch table

• Donate to or sponsor one of our many concerts and events!

No, Tilson Auditorium is owned and managed by Indiana State University and Hulman Center. The THSO rents Tilson Auditorium, the McKee Family Heritage Lounge, and the Heritage Ballroom for our full orchestra concert events.

For THSO events at Tilson Auditorium, Indiana State Unviersity and Hulman Center require that we allow them to manage our ticketing per a contract that Indiana State University has with Ticketmaster. However, the THSO manages donations and ticketing for smaller events via a system called Ludus. Smaller events include our THSO Presents! series, fundraises, and Supper at the Symphony.