HSO concert day information
Concert location
The final 'on the day' rehearsal and concert are both held at the concert venue: The Capitol, North Street, Horsham
Parking
The closest parking is opposite The Capitol in the Council offices which is pay & display. There is an afternoon charge and an evening charge at this car park.
There is also parking available in the BT Exchange, directly behind The Capitol. See here for charges.
There are also general-purpose car parks in Swan Walk, Piries Place, and Denne Road.
Concert dress
For men: DJ trousers with black shirt and black long tie (no jacket).
For women: All black, with long sleeves, and either skirt or trousers.
Concert day rehearsal
Attendance is mandatory so If you have problems on the day, please let us know.
Unless told otherwise, please arrive by 2.15pm so that the rehearsal preceding the concert can start promptly at 2.30pm.
Don't forget to bring your music, music stand, concert dress, and instrument!
Access is only via the stage door or screen dock door at the back of the building.
Please do not access backstage via the front entrance of The Capitol.
After the concert
Music is collected in boxes in the corridor backstage. Please put any music not required for the concert in the boxes in the afternoon, and ensure that all music is returned after the concert. Don't forget to take home your music stand - it's easily done!
Refreshments on concert day
Light refreshments are generally available in the foyer of The Capitol. The nearest pub is the Black Jug pub, just across the road (and to the left) from the Capitol. There are lots of food stalls, cafes, and restaurants in town a few minutes walk from The Capitol Theatre. After the concert, please join us for a drink in the bar.
On stage
Please be ready backstage 10 minutes before the start of the concert at the latest.
Dressing rooms backstage are labelled and safe for instrument case storage.
For the audience, the occasion begins as soon as they see us, so look confident when you walk onstage, moving swiftly and professionally to your desk. No talking on stage! Please go onto the stage in the order required for sitting, with first violins leading the way, followed by second violins, lower strings, horns, flutes, lower woodwind, and brass.
Please be ready to stand when the conductor comes onto the stage (watch the leader for guidance), and smile at the audience.
During the interval, the tech crew will need to lower the safety curtain. It comes down in the middle of the strings so please be ready to help move and reset the chairs and stands.
After the interval, be backstage ready to start the second half promptly. Use the pass door – either knock (there is usually someone on the other side), or come through with one of the people who have a pass (usually members of the committee plus some willing helpers). Do not go over the stage.
After the conductor has left the stage, please cheer and encourage the leader to take a bow, then follow them off stage at the end.
Put away your instrument and then return to pick up stands, tidy up, etc when the audience has left the auditorium.