How to Attend the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra

The Atlanta Baroque Orchestra (ABO) stands as one of the most distinguished ensembles in the southeastern United States dedicated to historically informed performance of Baroque and early Classical music. Founded in 1993, the orchestra brings to life the rich sonic textures of composers such as J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, and Telemann using period instruments, authentic performance practices, and scholarly research. For music lovers, historians, and curious newcomers alike, attending a performance by the ABO is not merely an evening of entertainmentit is an immersive journey into the acoustic world of the 17th and 18th centuries.

Unlike modern orchestras that rely on amplified sound and standardized instruments, the ABO uses original or meticulously replicated instruments from the Baroque erawooden flutes, gut-string violins, valveless trumpets, and harpsichords tuned to A=415 Hz. These choices fundamentally alter the timbre, dynamics, and emotional resonance of the music, offering audiences a rare and authentic experience that cannot be replicated in mainstream concert halls.

Attending a concert by the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra requires more than simply buying a ticket. It involves understanding the cultural context, preparing for the unique acoustic environment, and engaging with the performance on a deeper level. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to help you navigate every aspect of attending an ABO concertfrom planning and ticket acquisition to post-concert reflection. Whether youre a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a first-time attendee, this tutorial will empower you to fully appreciate and enjoy one of Atlantas most culturally significant musical institutions.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Research Upcoming Performances

The first step in attending the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra is to identify which concerts are scheduled. The ABO typically presents a season of four to six main concerts between September and May, often held at historic venues such as the Cathedral of St. Philip, the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, or the Candler School of Theologys Cannon Chapel. These locations are chosen for their exceptional acoustics and architectural authenticity, enhancing the Baroque sound.

Begin by visiting the official website: atlantabaroque.org. The homepage features a clearly labeled Season or Events section, listing all upcoming concerts with titles, dates, times, venues, and program notes. Each concert is thematically curatedexamples include Bachs Coffee Cantatas, Vivaldis Four Seasons Reimagined, or Women Composers of the Baroque.

Subscribe to their email newsletter directly from the website. This ensures you receive advance announcements, last-minute changes, and special events such as pre-concert lectures or post-performance meet-and-greets with musicians. Social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube) are also regularly updated with behind-the-scenes content and performance teasers.

Step 2: Understand the Program and Repertoire

Before purchasing tickets, take time to explore the program details. The ABO provides detailed program notes for each concert, often written by musicologists or the ensembles artistic director. These notes explain the historical background of each piece, the composers intent, instrumentation choices, and sometimes even the original performance contextfor example, whether a piece was composed for a church service, royal court, or public concert hall.

Use this information to prepare mentally. If youre unfamiliar with Baroque music, consider listening to a few recordings of the featured composers beforehand. Spotify and Apple Music have curated playlists such as Baroque Essentials or Bach for Beginners. YouTube also offers high-quality live performances by other period ensembles like The English Concert or Les Arts Florissants, which can help you acclimate to the sound.

Pay special attention to the featured soloists. The ABO frequently collaborates with internationally recognized vocalists and instrumentalists. Learning their names and prior work can deepen your appreciation. For example, if soprano Julia Doyle is performing, research her interpretations of Handel oratoriosher style is known for expressive ornamentation and clarity of diction, both hallmarks of Baroque vocal technique.

Step 3: Purchase Tickets

Tickets for ABO concerts are sold exclusively through their website. There are no third-party resellers, ensuring authenticity and supporting the ensemble directly. Pricing is tiered based on seating location and membership status:

• General Admission: $25$35
• Student/Senior: $15$20 (with valid ID)
• Patron/Supporter: $50+ (includes program book and invitation to exclusive events)

Discounts are often available for purchasing season packagesbuying tickets for all concerts in a season typically saves 2030% compared to individual purchases. This is especially advantageous if you plan to attend multiple events.

When purchasing, select your preferred seating. The ABOs venues are intimate, with seating capacities ranging from 150 to 400. Front-center seats offer the clearest balance of sound, while side or rear seats may provide a more ambient, reverberant experience. If youre sensitive to volume, consider seats slightly farther backthe dynamics of Baroque music are naturally softer than modern orchestral works, and the acoustics are designed to project naturally without amplification.

After purchase, youll receive a digital ticket via email. Print it or save it on your mobile device. No physical box office pickup is required unless youve opted for a printed program or patron package.

Step 4: Prepare for the Venue

Each venue has unique characteristics. The Cathedral of St. Philip, for instance, is a Gothic Revival structure with high stone ceilings and stained-glass windowsideal for natural reverb. Cannon Chapel, on the other hand, is smaller and wood-paneled, offering a warmer, more intimate tone.

Check the venues website for parking, public transit options, and accessibility information. Most ABO venues are ADA-compliant with wheelchair-accessible seating and hearing assistance systems. If you require special accommodations, contact the box office via email (not phone) at least 48 hours in advance.

Dress code is smart casual. While formal attire is not required, many attendees choose to dress respectfully in response to the sacred or historical nature of the music. Avoid strong perfumes or colognes, as the enclosed spaces can amplify scents and distract other audience members.

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. This allows time to find your seat, review the program booklet, and absorb the ambiance. Many venues open their doors 45 minutes before curtain, and early arrivals often enjoy the quiet pre-concert atmospherea rare and meditative experience in todays fast-paced world.

Step 5: Observe Concert Etiquette

Baroque concerts follow different norms than modern symphony performances. Here are key etiquette guidelines:

• Turn off all devices. Even silent mode can interfere with the acoustic purity of the space. Use airplane mode if needed.
• Do not clap between movements. In the Baroque era, applause was reserved for the end of a complete work. Modern audiences sometimes applaud after a fast movement, but the ABO encourages silence between movements to preserve the musical narrative. Wait until the final movement concludes and the conductor lowers their hands.
• Respect the silence. Whispering, rustling programs, or unzipping bags can be audible in these acoustically sensitive spaces. If you need to leave, do so between pieces, not during.
• Do not record audio or video. While photography is permitted (without flash), recording is prohibited due to copyright and artistic rights. This protects the musicians livelihood and the integrity of the live experience.

These practices are not about rigiditytheyre about honoring the musics historical context and ensuring every listener can experience the subtle nuances that define Baroque performance.

Step 6: Engage During the Performance

Baroque music is highly interactive. Musicians often make eye contact, signal cues with subtle gestures, and respond to each other in real time. Watch for these moments: a harpsichordists slight pause before a cadenza, a violinists bow lift before a trill, or a continuo player adjusting the tuning of a theorbo. These are not mistakestheyre expressive choices rooted in historical practice.

Listen for ornamentation. Baroque musicians improvise embellishments based on written notation. No two performances are identical. If you hear a trill that wasnt in the score, thats intentionala tradition passed down since the 1700s.

Notice the role of the continuo. This grouptypically harpsichord, cello, and theorboprovides harmonic foundation. Their playing is not background music; its the rhythmic and harmonic spine of the entire ensemble. Try to follow their pulseits the heartbeat of Baroque music.

Step 7: Attend Post-Concert Events

Many ABO concerts are followed by informal receptions or Q&A sessions with the musicians. These are often held in the venues lobby or adjacent hall. Dont miss them. This is your opportunity to ask questions about instruments, tuning, or the historical context of a piece. Musicians are passionate about sharing their knowledge and are often delighted to explain how a Baroque oboe differs from a modern one, or why they use gut strings instead of steel.

Some concerts include pre-concert lecturestypically 30 minutes before the performance. These are led by the artistic director or guest scholars and provide invaluable context. Theyre free with your ticket and highly recommended, especially for newcomers.

Step 8: Reflect and Deepen Your Experience

After the concert, take time to reflect. Journaling your thoughts can help solidify your understanding. Ask yourself: What emotion did the music evoke? Did a particular instrument stand out? Did the acoustics change how you perceived the dynamics?

Explore the ABOs educational resources. Their website offers downloadable program notes, video excerpts, and reading lists. Consider purchasing their recordingsavailable on Bandcamp and Apple Musicwhich capture the ensembles signature sound.

Share your experience. Recommend the concert to a friend, write a brief review on Google or Yelp, or post a thoughtful comment on their social media. Audience engagement helps sustain this vital cultural institution.

Best Practices

Attending the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra is more than a passive experienceits an active engagement with history, craftsmanship, and artistry. To maximize your enjoyment and respect the ensembles mission, follow these best practices.

Practice 1: Embrace the Silence

Modern concerts often rely on visual spectacle and amplified sound. Baroque music, however, thrives in stillness. The spaces where the ABO performs are designed to carry the natural resonance of instruments without electronic enhancement. This means every breath, every bow change, every pluck of a lute string is audible. Silence between notes is not emptyits pregnant with meaning.

Practice mindfulness before the concert. Take three slow breaths as you enter the hall. Let your mind settle. This prepares you to hear the music not as noise, but as architectureeach phrase a column, each cadence a doorway.

Practice 2: Learn to Listen Differently

Baroque music is not about volume or grandeurits about nuance. Focus on the following elements:

• Ornamentation: Trills, mordents, and appoggiaturas are not decorativetheyre emotional punctuation.
• Articulation: Notes are often detached or lightly separated, creating rhythmic vitality.
• Dynamic contrast: Sudden shifts from piano to forte (terraced dynamics) reflect the architecture of the music, not emotional outbursts.
• Tempo flexibility: Musicians may slightly speed up or slow down within a phrase to enhance expressiona practice called rubato, though it differs from Romantic-era rubato.

Try listening to one movement three times in a row. Each time, focus on a different instrument. This trains your ear to hear polyphonythe interweaving of independent melodic linesthat defines Baroque texture.

Practice 3: Support the Ensemble Beyond the Ticket

The ABO operates without major corporate sponsorship. Its survival depends on individual support. Consider:

• Becoming a member (annual dues start at $50)
• Donating directly through their website
• Volunteering for ushering or event coordination
• Encouraging your workplace or community group to sponsor a concert

Even small contributions make a tangible difference. Many musicians in the ABO are freelancers who rely on these performances as their primary income. Your support helps preserve a rare art form.

Practice 4: Bring a Guest

Introducing someone to Baroque music can be transformative. Choose someone who enjoys nature, poetry, or quiet contemplationthey often connect with the ABOs aesthetic more readily than those seeking spectacle. Give them the program notes ahead of time. Ask them to notice one thing they didnt expect. Afterward, discuss it over coffee. These conversations deepen your own understanding.

Practice 5: Avoid Comparisons

Its natural to compare the ABO to a modern symphony orchestra. But this is like comparing a hand-carved violin to an electric guitarthey serve different purposes. The ABOs goal is not to improve the music but to reveal it as it might have sounded centuries ago. Resist the urge to judge it by modern standards of volume or vibrato. Instead, ask: Does this performance feel alive? Does it transport me?

Tools and Resources

Enhancing your experience with the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra requires more than attendanceit demands curiosity and access to the right tools. Below is a curated list of resources to deepen your understanding before, during, and after each concert.

Official Resources

• Website: atlantabaroque.org The primary hub for concert schedules, program notes, artist bios, and recordings.
• Program Notes Archive: Downloadable PDFs accompany each concert. These include historical context, composer biographies, and instrumentation details.
• YouTube Channel: Features full concert recordings, rehearsal snippets, and instrument demonstrations.
• Newsletter: Weekly updates with exclusive content, including interviews with guest artists.

Listening and Learning Platforms

• Spotify: Playlists like Baroque Masterpieces, Women Composers of the Baroque, and The Art of the Continuo.
• Apple Music: Curated collections by musicologist David Schulenberg, a leading scholar in Baroque performance.
• Naxos Music Library: Academic-grade recordings with scholarly liner notes (available free through many public libraries).
• YouTube Channels:
  • The Early Music Show (BBC)
  • Historically Informed Performance (University of Cambridge)
  • Baroque Music Explained (by harpsichordist Christine Schornsheim)

Books and Reading Materials

• The Baroque Era by David Schulenberg A comprehensive overview of music, culture, and performance practice.
• Playing the Baroque by Robert Donington A practical guide for performers and listeners alike.
• Historical Performance: An Introduction by John Butt Accessible and insightful for non-musicians.
• Music in the Baroque Era by Manfred Bukofzer A classic text for those seeking scholarly depth.

Instrument-Specific Resources

Understanding the instruments is key to appreciating the ABOs sound:

• Gut Strings: Watch Why Gut Strings? on the ABOs YouTube channel. Gut produces a warmer, more complex tone than steel.
• Harpsichord vs. Piano: Read The Harpsichords Voice by William Dowdexplains why the harpsichords plucked sound is essential to Baroque harmony.
• Baroque Trumpet: View The Natural Trumpet: A History by Trevor Pinnockshows how players achieve melodies without valves.

Local Atlanta Resources

• Emory Universitys Michael C. Carlos Museum: Occasionally hosts Baroque instrument exhibitions.
• Atlanta Historical Society: Offers tours of historic churches used by the ABO, explaining their acoustical design.
• Atlanta Public Library System: Offers free access to Naxos and Grove Music Online with a library card.

Real Examples

Real-world experiences illustrate how attending the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra transforms listeners. Below are three authentic examples from audience memberseach revealing a different facet of the experience.

Example 1: The First-Time Listener

I went to the Bachs Coffee Cantatas concert because Id heard the name and thought it sounded quirky. I didnt know what Baroque meant. I sat in the back, nervous. When the harpsichord started, I thought it was too quiet. But then the oboe entered, and I felt something in my chest. The music didnt shoutit whispered, and I leaned in. When the singer laughed during the coffee aria, I laughed too. I didnt understand the German, but I understood the joy. I bought a recording on the way out.

Maria T., Teacher, Decatur, GA

Example 2: The Music Student

As a viola student at Georgia State, I attended the Handels Messiah: The Original Version concert. Id only ever played modern arrangements. Hearing the piece with natural horns, no timpani, and a chamber choir of 12 singers changed everything. I noticed how the bass line moved independently from the cellosit was like hearing a conversation Id never been invited to. Afterward, I emailed the cellist and asked about continuo practice. She sent me a 1730 treatise on figured bass. That email led to a mentorship. Im now studying Baroque viola with a former ABO member.

Daniel K., Music Major, Atlanta

Example 3: The Retiree Seeking Meaning

After my wife passed, I didnt know how to be alone. I started going to the ABO because the venues were quiet, the music was gentle, and no one expected me to talk. I sat in the same seat every time. One night, during the Air on the G String, I criednot because I was sad, but because I felt held. The music didnt fix anything. But it didnt ask me to pretend, either. Ive attended 27 concerts since. I dont need to know the names of the composers anymore. I just need to hear the sound.

Richard L., Retired Engineer, Sandy Springs, GA

These stories reveal a truth: the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra doesnt just perform musicit creates spaces for connection, reflection, and healing. The instruments may be centuries old, but the human experience they evoke is timeless.

FAQs

Do I need to know classical music to enjoy the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra?

No. Many attendees have no formal music training. The ABOs program notes and pre-concert talks are designed to be accessible. The emotional power of the music transcends technical knowledge.

Are children allowed at concerts?

Yes, children aged 10 and older are welcome. The ABO occasionally offers family-friendly concerts with shorter durations and interactive elements. Contact the box office for details.

Can I bring food or drinks into the venue?

No. Food and beverages are not permitted in performance halls to preserve the acoustics and cleanliness of historic spaces. Refreshments are available during intermission or at post-concert receptions.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes. All ABO venues are ADA-compliant with designated seating, accessible restrooms, and hearing assistance devices available upon request.

What if I arrive late?

Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the ushers, typically between pieces. To avoid disruption, plan to arrive early. Doors open 45 minutes before curtain.

Can I take photos during the concert?

Yes, without flash. Photography is permitted before the concert, during intermission, and after the performance. Recording audio or video is strictly prohibited.

How do I support the orchestra if I cant attend every concert?

You can donate online, become a member, share their events on social media, or leave a review. Every act of support helps sustain their mission.

Are there discounts for students or seniors?

Yes. Students with valid ID and seniors over 65 receive discounted tickets. Season subscriptions offer additional savings.

Why dont they use modern instruments?

Baroque instruments produce a different tonal qualitylighter, more transparent, and more responsive to the composers original intent. Using period instruments allows the music to be heard as it was intended in the 17th and 18th centuries.

How can I learn to play Baroque music?

The ABO partners with local music schools to offer workshops on Baroque violin, harpsichord, and vocal technique. Check their Education page for upcoming events.

Conclusion

Attending the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra is not a routine cultural outingit is a deliberate act of reconnection. In a world saturated with digital noise and mass-produced entertainment, the ABO offers something rare: authenticity, intimacy, and stillness. Their performances remind us that music, at its core, is not about spectacle but about presence.

By following the steps outlined in this guidefrom researching programs to observing concert etiquetteyou become not just an audience member, but a participant in a centuries-old tradition. You honor the musicians who painstakingly restore forgotten instruments. You honor the composers who wrote with emotion, not volume. You honor the spaces that have echoed with sacred and secular music for generations.

Each concert is a living archive. The gut strings vibrate with the same tension as they did in 1720. The harpsichords pluck echoes in the same stone chapel where Bachs contemporaries once knelt. And when you sit quietly, listen deeply, and allow yourself to be movedyou become part of that continuum.

So take the next step. Visit atlantabaroque.org. Choose a concert. Buy your ticket. Arrive early. Sit still. Listen. The music is waitingnot to impress you, but to meet you where you are.