Can you provide access information, please?
Absolutely; we’re very mindful of presenting and producing events that are accessible and joyous for all. Everyone is welcome at our concerts, and we will do all we can to ensure you have a great experience with us.
All of our venues are accessible. Designated, discounted wheelchair and companion spaces are available; please telephone the box office to book these. Any specific details regarding venue accessibility are noted on our webpage for the relevant event.
Our concerts are normally unamplified and audiences may reserve applause for the end of each half.
If you have any questions, please do contact us and we’ll be happy to help. If you have additional access requirements, please also raise these with the box office at the time of booking. If you are attending events sold by the B:Music box office, you may like to join the B:Music Access Scheme.
Can I take photos and video at your concerts?
We’d love you to share your experience and help bring new audiences to our events, but we do also want to find a balance that enables you to experience the music in the moment, without distracting your fellow concertgoers or the performers.
We have one firm rule: filming while we are performing is not permitted. This is to respect the rights of the performers and, where relevant, the composers.
When it comes to photography we ask you to be mindful of those around you. There are often ways to take discreet photos that will not distract others. Good opportunities include applause breaks and bows. If you are taking photos, please dim your screen brightness and ensure there is no flash.
If you have some good photos, we’d love you to share them on social media, please tag us and use our event hashtags so we can see them and share them!
Note: some venues we visit have different guidance, so please check on the day if you aren’t sure.
What should I wear to an Ex Cathedra concert?
Our venues do not have dress codes, nor do we have a dress expectation of our audiences. We encourage you to present yourselves however you feel most comfortable. Most people opt for a smart/casual dress code but there are no hard and fast rules.
If attending some of our Christmas Music by Candlelight concerts, you may wish to ensure that you have several layers on as the temperatures of venues, especially in the winter, can be variable.
At some of our venues, for your comfort, we could advise bringing your own cushions as we do not have our own to hire. These are noted on the relevant concert pages.
When should I applaud?
There are no right or wrong times to show your appreciation (for which we are always very grateful) but we understand that we perform a range of repertoire of different lengths, and it can be a little tricky to know when to clap.
Where concerts have a sequence of music, other audience members will often wait until the end of each half to applaud in order to allow the performances to flow. Where there are lighter, fun items, audience members might like to clap more often. If you are unsure, perhaps take your cue from others around you, but please don’t be put off – if you applaud we won’t mind!
Where can we find you?
Ex Cathedra is Birmingham-based with an office at the CBSO centre. We rehearse, and often perform in, venues in Birmingham including St Paul’s, Jewellery Quarter, Town Hall, and Symphony Hall. We also perform across the UK, and making regular visits to cities and towns in the West Midlands including Coventry, Hagley, Hereford, Leicester, Lichfield, Shrewsbury, and Wolverhampton. Our regular London venue is St Martin-in-the-Fields in Trafalgar Square.
Have a look through our events listings to see where we’ll be in the coming months.
Can I save money on my tickets?
Take a look at our Ways to save page. We’d love to see you at as many concerts as you can attend – please introduce friends and family to Ex Cathedra too!
We hope this helps and look forward to welcoming you to a concert. Please let us know if you think there are any other FAQs we should add to this page.