Tips For Going To The Colorado Symphony

CBS4's Critic at Large Greg Moody shows us how to enjoy the music of the Colorado Symphony in his comments below.

I love the symphony. My iPod has a section of all 9 of Beethoven's symphonies from the Berlin Philharmonic as well as a bunch of Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky. What can I say? I'm big on aural fireworks.

If You Are New To The Symphony:

1) Look through the schedule and find the shows that intrigue you. Is it the Masterworks series? Or the Pops? A special program on movie music or a holiday show? Find what you want to see and what you want to hear. Then jump online and buy a ticket.

2) As you grow more comfortable with Boettcher Concert Hall (and the lovely parking situation), start expanding your range. Look for shows that fit a style you want to hear: orchestral fireworks or soft and stylish? Loud and dramatic? Or light and popular?

3) Realize that you don't have to dress up to go to the symphony. Some people are there in their finest. The CSO is happy to have you there in blue jeans and T-shirts if that's what you want to wear. Pleasantly casual is a good rule of thumb, but, as I said, there really are no rules.

4) Before the concert, arrive a bit early and make reservations at Baur's or Morton's, Sullivan's or the Rialto, Rock Bottom Brewery or Elway's in the Ritz. Make a night of it and enjoy all that Denver has to offer.

5) After the show, explore some of the LoDo night spots that are really a treat.