What is UMS? How is UMS different from the University of Michigan?
UMS is an arts presenter, bringing professional musicians, dance companies, jazz artists, orchestras, etc. from all over the world to perform here in Ann Arbor. While UMS is affiliated with the University of Michigan and housed on the U-M campus, UMS is a separate not-for-profit organization. UMS is different from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and from University Productions, though our events often take place in some of the same venues (such as Hill Auditorium, Power Center, etc.)

What should I wear to a performance?
UMS has no formal dress code and we encourage you to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Jeans and tennis shoes are perfectly acceptable, although some patrons prefer to dress more formally. When in doubt, business casual is always appropriate.

Can I just show up to the performance and buy a student rush ticket?
Yes! $15 Rush Tickets, if available, are sold 90 minutes prior to a performance at the performance venue box office. Rush Tickets will be available for almost every UMS performance, but there may be a few sold-out performances at which Rush Tickets would not be available. To find out if Rush Tickets will be available in advance you can call the UMS Box Office at 734-764-2538 or just visit the UMS Rush Ticket web page

How many student rush tickets can I get? Can I bring a non-student with one of my rush tickets?
Students are able to buy two rush tickets for every event (with a valid student ID). Your other rush ticket may be used to bring a non-student as your guest.

Is it okay to go to a performance alone?
Absolutely! Many students even prefer to attend performances alone. And if you want to meet other people interested in attending performing arts events, check out our Arts & Eats events, which include a pizza dinner before the performance.

Where and what is Will Call?
Will Call is the place in each venue where you pick up tickets that you have ordered and paid for in advance. The Will Call window is located at each venue's ticket office (see below):

• Hill Auditorium: located at the west entrance off of Thayer Street.
• Power Center: accessed by following the sidewalk that leads to the main entrance. Rather than veering left, stay straight and enter the doors labeled "ticket office."
• Rackham Auditorium: Enter through the main doors and look for a table on the left-hand side of the lobby.

When should I arrive? How will I know where to go once I arrive?
Plan on arriving around 15 minutes prior to the performance. This will give you enough time to use the restroom, find your seat, and read through the program. If you need to pick up tickets from Will Call, you may want to arrive a few minutes earlier. Ushers will direct you to your seat and are happy to answer any questions you may have about locations of restrooms, the refreshments stand, etc.

What happens if I arrive late?
If you arrive late, ushers will seat you at the earliest appropriate time during the performance, usually at the end of a piece. During a classical music performance, this may not be until intermission, so please plan accordingly!

What if I have to leave the performance early?
If you need to leave the performance early, we ask that you leave at a point in the performance when moving around would be of minimal disturbance to those around you, such as during the applause at the end of a song.

How long is a typical performance?
Most performances presented by UMS last two hours, including a 15-20 minute intermission. There is still plenty of time to go out after an evening performance! If you would like to know the length of a particular performance, please call the UMS Box Office at 734-764-2538.

Why is there an intermission, and what should I do during it?
While originally intended to give the performers a break, intermission also provides an opportunity for the audience to socialize, use the restroom, or consume refreshments. Many patrons also prefer to remain in their seats and read the program. Intermission is usually 15-20 minutes long, and a sound is played over the loudspeakers approximately 5 minutes before the end of intermission to signal to the audience that they should return to their seats.

What is an encore? Do I have to stay for the encore?
An encore is an additional performance of a musical piece at the end of the regular concert. It is fine to leave before the encore, but please do so before the encore begins (while the audience is still clapping). Although a few people do leave, many choose to stay, as an encore is performed when requested by the audience (via long applause or standing ovations).

When should I clap?
Many works in classical music, such as a Beethoven symphony or Mozart piano concerto, have three or more movements or sections. A short pause usually falls in between each of them. It has become customary over time not to clap during these short pauses but to wait until the entire piece is over. During jazz performances however, the audience will often clap after an artist has completed a solo (during the piece). Wikipedia has an informative and entertaining article concerning concert etiquette, which addresses clapping. When in doubt, just follow the crowd!

Can I bring my cell phone? Can I take pictures?
We ask that you turn off or silence all noise-making electronics, including cell phones. You don’t want to be "that guy" whose phone rings during the final notes of a symphony. Taking pictures is prohibited at all performances. Likewise, we ask that text messaging devices be turned off during performances as they may disturb other attendees.

Can I eat or drink in the concert hall? Are there refreshments available for purchase?
Eating and drinking are not permitted in the concert hall. Refreshments can be purchased before the performance and during intermission, but we ask that they be consumed in the lobby.

What if I have to cough? Should I even bother coming if I have a cold?
Ushers have complimentary cough drops on hand for most performances – ask for a few before the performance starts if you think you may need one. If you need to cough during the performance, try to wait until the end of a movement or until a louder section of music. If you feel you must leave the concert hall to cough, all music being performed can be heard in the lobby so you can still enjoy the concert until you feel able to return to your seat.

I have to take notes on the performance for a school assignment – is this appropriate to do during the performance?
Yes. However, we do ask that you write quietly and discretely, so as not to bother those around you.

Is it ever appropriate to talk during a performance?
While talking during a performance is not encouraged, it is acceptable to share occasional comments quietly as long as doing so doesn’t bother those around you.

Is it appropriate to look at the program during the performance?
Yes, although the dim lighting may make it hard to read. The program contains interesting information about UMS and the performance.

What if the person sitting next to me is wearing too much perfume and I would like to change my seat?
If a situation arises and you need to change seats, please notify an usher. They will do their best to accommodate you.

Will I be the only person unfamiliar with the music being performed?
Definitely not. Many students have attended performances by musicians who they had never heard of before UMS brought them to Ann Arbor. If you’re interested in finding out more about a particular artist prior to a performance, check out the "Current Season" section of our website (you can even download the program notes) or see if the musician has a MySpace. Listening to CDs of the artists at Borders is also a great idea.

How do I pronounce (insert group name/musician here)?
You really don’t know how to pronounce "Youssou N’Dour" or "Gilles Vonsattel?" Only joking. Please refer to our pronunciation guide.

Is there some way I can share my thoughts after a performance, or find out what others thought about it?
Yes! We encourage you to visit our "Be A Critic" forum at http://www.ums.org/beacritic

I loved the performance … can I find out what other artists UMS is bringing that I might like?
You might consider visiting the UMS Student Blog at www.umsstudents.blogspot.com Our blog, written and maintained by the UMS Student Committee, highlights upcoming UMS performances that may be of particular interest to students. Or write to us and ask! You can also join the UMS E-mail Club for the latest info on artists, programs, educational events, rush ticket availability, links to music and video clips, and more!

How can students become more involved with UMS?
Besides our internships and work-study programs (click here for more information) the UMS Student Committee is always looking for new members. This group of students, which meets approximately twice a month, aims to boost student interest and participation in UMS programs through improving communication between UMS and the student community. If you are interested in becoming a member, please e-mail umsstudents-board@umich.edu for more information. We would love to see you at an upcoming meeting!