Why more youth should attend the ballet and the symphony

Studying at U of T, we have the advantage of being completely immersed in the buzzing atmosphere of city life. There is always something exciting to do, only a short walk or subway ride away. Whether it’s the Royal Ontario Museum or the Hockey Hall of Fame, there’s something out there for everyone. However, there are certain activities that get overlooked frequently by young people living in the downtown core. Interest in classic endeavours, such as the ballet and the symphony, has been steadily declining. This is especially evident amongst youth today.

Young people underestimate the pleasure that comes with watching incredibly talented and meticulously trained people practice their art. By any measure, it certainly isn’t boring. Watching a group of dancers synchronously leap across a stage in a gravity defying fashion can be just as astounding as watching a baseball game at the Rogers Center. Listening to the harmonious medley of stringed and brass instruments can be just as soothing as laying in bed and listening to your favourite artist.

The next time you’re looking for some weekend entertainment, as shocking as it may be- consider the ballet or the symphony for a classic night of entertainment.

For starters, there is a misconception about elegant events such as the symphony and ballet that needs to be dismissed. To debunk this popular myth, I must mention that no, you are not forced to dress like an aristocrat when attending a performance. Relax; you don’t have to bust out your white silk gloves and tailcoats for a night out at the ballet. Ladies, do not worry about spending thousands of dollars on ball gowns because that cocktail dress you have hanging in the back of your closet will do just fine. Gentlemen, some nice dress pants and a collared shirt are the perfect attire for you. Do not feel pressured to dress to the nines for a simple night out at the symphony or ballet. Just don your favourite pair of shoes, and you are ready to go.

Realistically, there is a certain intimidation that can come with social events such as the ballet and the symphony. It is understandable why youth today are skeptical to spend their Friday night at a place like Roy Thompson Hall. Simply walking down King Street West and peering into those majestic windows can be daunting.

Seeing sophisticated adults mingling while sipping from champagne flutes may make you feel like you don’t belong. However, intimidation should not be of major concern. While audiences at symphonies and ballets may be predominantly from the older generation, that doesn’t mean that the younger generation would be looked down upon if they were to attend. In fact, companies are expanding their scope by performing material in an attempt to encourage youth attendance. For example, this past September, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performed their version of Drake’s “Know Yourself”. They also paid tribute to the Toronto Blue Jays recently during their Frank Sinatra set. Contemporary performances like these prove that the symphony is modernizing to involve the interests of all demographics. It is becoming a more inclusive space, so intimidation can’t be the only justification for not attending.

Another major concern that comes to mind when thinking about attending the symphony or the ballet is the cost. Money is always a constant worry on the minds of university students. It may feel impractical to pay for a ticket to a ballet when there are groceries that won’t pay for themselves. However, companies are attempting to make these events more affordable. For example, a decent ticket to the see the National Ballet of Canada at the Four Seasons Centre is only forty dollars. If that is still a little pricey, gather a group of ten friends and you will get twenty percent off on top of that. Some companies are going even further to ease up on the wallets of students, such as The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s TSOUNDCHECK offer. This promotion allows anyone between the ages of fifteen to thirty-five admissions to the symphony for only sixteen dollars. As an added bonus, members are entitled to a pair of tickets. You and a friend can attend for just sixteen dollars. So, if you’re about to spend close to twenty dollars to sit in a dark movie theatre and eat overpriced concessions, cost really can’t be a factor in your decision.

If you are interested in these artistically enriching experiences, you can check out the National Ballet of Canada and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Both venues have exciting performances coming up this month. The National Ballet of Canada is performing The Nutcracker from December 12 to January 3. The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has a performance of Handel’s Messiah until December 20. Be sure to check out their websites to see all the interesting performances that they have lined up for next year as well. Just grab your friends, buy your tickets, and enjoy the show!  There’s nothing to fear about this seemingly unreachable world of cultural elites.

Featured image courtesy of Tess King