FAQ

FAQs

Never been to a Canterbury Concert at the new Civic Center?

What should I wear?
What time should I arrive?
How long is a typical performance?
What if I am late?
When do I clap?
Can I bring my cell phone?
Can I take pictures?
Can I bring my children?
Is the Civic Center handicap accessible?
How do I get to the Civic Center?
Where do I park?
Where is the Canterbury Box Office, and when is it open?
Are there any places to eat near the Civic Center?

I want to learn more about the Canterbury Choral Society!

How do I learn more about a particular performance?
How can I get information on special ticket offers, promotions and special events?
How do I contact Canterbury?
How can I subscribe to Canterbury's season series?
How can I audition for Canterbury?
How can I volunteer for Canterbury?
How can I donate to Canterbury?

For Our Subscribers:

What if I lost my tickets?
What if I am unable to use my tickets?
Can I exchange my tickets?

What should I wear?

Attending a concert at the Civic Center is always a special occasion. Therefore, most patrons enjoy dressing up a bit. Today's standards for business formal dress or business casual dress are both acceptable for concerts. Jeans, shorts and t-shirts are discouraged. After all, the musicians will be wearing their finest.

What time should I arrive?

We try to begin our concerts on time. Therefore, it is a good idea to arrive a few minutes early so you will have adequate time to find your seats, locate the restrooms, or pick up tickets at the Will Call Window. To help reduce distracting noises during the performances, there are designated pauses in each program when late arrivals will be able to be seated. If you arrive late, you can listen to the concert over monitors located in the lobby area. If you have to leave a concert before it ends, please do so between program works.

How long is a typical performance?

Program length varies, but a typical Canterbury performance last about two hours or less, including one intermission.

What if I am late?

Please review your ticket for the correct curtain time. Latecomers will be seated at the first suitable break in the concert. Please allow yourself enough time to find the Civic Center and park.

When do I clap?

If you are not sure, the best bet is to follow the rest of the crowd. Generally, time to applaud is after the music has stopped, the conductor has lowered his baton to his side, and has turned to address the audience.

Can I bring my cell phone?

All electronic devices, including cell phones and pagers, should be turned off or set to silent mode. The ringing or beeping of these devices, as well as text messaging, is extremely distracting to both musicians and your fellow concertgoers.

Can I take pictures?

Cameras as well as other recording devices in the Civic Center can create major distractions for the musicians and audience members around you. As a result, no reproduction of the concert is permitted in any form.

Can I bring my children?

Yes. We do recommend, for the consideration of patrons, musicians and artists, that children under four years of age not attend our performances.

Is the Civic Center handicap accessible?

Yes, the Civic Center is handicap accessible in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For special seating requirements, please call the Canterbury Box Office directly at 232-SING. (7464).

How do I get to the Civic Center?

from the north urban: Downtown OKC is accessible from city streets from throughout the northern suburbs. A main access artery road is Classen Boulevard, proceed on Classen to Main Street; turn left on Main; proceed to N. Walker; turn left on Walker staying in the far left lane (one-way northbound). The Civic Center is two blocks to the north of Main Street on North Walker Street.

from the north via highway: From I-74 (Hefner Parkway); exit to I-40 eastbound; exit Walker Street staying in the far left lane; turn left at the light at the bottom of the exit and proceed north for approximately 1/2 mile. Civic Center will be on your left.

From I-235: Exit to downtown 1F on 6th Street; proceed west on 6th to Hudson Street (one-way southbound); turn right on Colcord Street. Civic Center will be on the right after crossing Walker.

from the west: Take I-40 eastbound; exit no. 150A toward Walker Avenue staying in the far left lane; turn left at the light at the bottom of the exit and proceed north for approximately 1/2 mile. Civic Center will be on your left.

from the east: Access I-40 westbound; take exit no. 149B towards Classen Blvd and keep to the left at the fork in the ramp; merge onto Classen Blvd; turn right on Main Street; turn left on Walker Avenue. Civic Center will be on your left 2 blocks to the north.

from the southwest: Access I-40 eastbound from I-44; exit 150A towards Walker Avenue staying in the far left lane; turn left at the light at the bottom of the exit and proceed north for approximately 1/2 mile. Civic Center will be on your left.

from the south: Take I-35 northbound toward Oklahoma City; take I-40 westboud exit 126; on the left towards Amarillo; merge onto I-40 westbound; take the Classen Blvd exit number 149B and keep to the left at the fork in the ramp; merge onto Classen Blvd; turn right on Main Street; turn left on Walker Avenue. Civic Center will be on your left 1 block to the north.

Where do I park?

Civic Center parking at Galleria Garage (1770 spaces) Sheridan Street - east of Hudson Street

Street Level Parking
$5.00 - $8.00 per event parking
Season parking pass for Forte Society specified donor levels

Where is the Canterbury Box Office, and when is it open?

The Canterbury Box Office is located at 428 W. California, Suite 100, in the McAlpine Center. Office hours are 9am-5pm M-F. The phone number is 405-232-SING (7464).

Are there any places to eat near the Civic Center?

The Museum Café at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Il Trattoria are located one block from the Civic Center and are available for dinner before the concert. There are also many restaurants in nearby Bricktown which serve dinner before and after the concert. Names and addresses of restaurants can be found at BricktownOKC.com.

How do I learn more about Canterbury, its performances, special events, ticket prices, and season subscriptions?

Please call the Canterbury Office at 405-232-SING (7464) M-F between 9am and 5pm or keep an eye on our website. We will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

How can I audition for Canterbury?

Canterbury Choral Society

Audition Procedures and Information:

Annual auditions take place in August every year, followed by a Saturday Kick-Off Retreat. Rehearsals begin the Monday evening after the Saturday retreat.
To schedule an audition time, please call the Canterbury Choral Society office at 405. 232. SING.
Each person will sing a piece of their own choosing. This can be a folk tune, hymn, art song or aria. If you prepare a hymn for the audition, please be prepared to sing the melody as well as one of the other parts (alto, tenor or bass) in order to demonstrate your ability to hold your own part against another.
A professional accompanist is provided.
Each person will be asked to do simple vocalizing and sight-reading.
People sitting in on the auditions include the Artistic Director and eight section leaders from Canterbury. Their presence is not meant to intimidate but to give the singer an opportunity to meet other members of the ensemble.

Other Information:

All singers pay $75 annual dues to CCS.
Singers must have a black folder for all concerts.
Men must purchase a black tuxedo, white tux shirt (straight collar with tabs) and standard black bow tie and cummerbund. (Single-breasted tuxes are preferred.) Also, the men wear red bow ties for the Christmas concert.
Women must purchase a standard performance outfit.
Payment is usually received for the annual dues and the women’s concert attire immediately following a successful audition. Currently, the concert dress costs $160.
Each singer receives a Canterbury Singer’s Handbook following the audition and a complete schedule of rehearsals and performances for the year.

General Information:

Canterbury is a group of singers who strive to maintain the standards expected of the very best symphonic choruses in the country. We strive to have a rewarding time in rehearsal while working hard on the music.
New singers will be assigned a “buddy” to answer questions and help introduce them to Canterbury. This person may be the section leader or someone designated by the section leader to simply help new members become part of Canterbury.
Members are expected to attend EVERY rehearsal and sing EVERY concert during the concert season. We recognize that emergencies and illness do arise on occasion. However, the Monday evening rehearsal and every Concert performance must have priority in the singer’s schedule. If these expectations cannot be met, we suggest the singer not audition.
The goal of Canterbury is to sing beautifully, make great music, and to continue to expand Canterbury’s repertoire and improve performance standards.
If these ideals are yours as a prospective member, we will welcome your audition for Canterbury. You will find it a rewarding and musically stimulating experience.

For additional questions, please contact the Artistic Director, Dr. Randi Von Ellefson at rvonellefson@okcu.edu

Please go to AUDITIONS button for more information.

How can I donate to Canterbury?

Please go to the SUPPORT button for more information about giving opportunities.

What if I lost my tickets?

Subscribers may call (405) 232-7464 or stop by the Canterbury Box Office for the replacement of lost or stolen tickets at no charge. Replacement tickets are for the same seats at the same performance.

What if I am unable to use my tickets?

Tickets are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend a concert, please consider giving your tickets to a family member or friend who may enjoy the performance. If you prefer, you may return the tickets to Canterbury for resale and value of your tickets will be acknowledged as a charitable contribution after the performance has taken place. To donate tickets call the Canterbury Box Office Manager.

Can I exchange my tickets?

No exchanges are available. If you are unable to use your ticket, please consider giving them to someone who would enjoy the concert or call our Box Office Manager at 232-7464 and donate them for resale.