I like classical. I really like that. In fact, I love it so much that I decided to major, even though I’m paying music school tuition just for the chance to earn less than the US median income. Although my career prospects are somewhat questionable, I chose to go this route in part because of the absolutely amazing experience of going to the symphony. But I understand why others who don’t share my passion for classical music may not attend shows – the concerts can be long, the music isn’t really relevant and it seems like a boring pastime for people. Hollywood’s old white elites. The stuffiness and perceived flatness of classical music keeps most young people away from concerts, except for the occasional fancy date. But I want to convince you that going to the right orchestra concert can not only be an exhilarating experience, but also life changing. Most of my friends have never been to an orchestra concert, but their reasons for not going surprised me: most of their perceptions of going to the symphony were false stereotypes. Let me dispel a few myths you might believe about classical music concerts that might keep you from going.

Orchestra concerts are expensive.

It is simply not true. Concert tickets usually start around $20 in general, and unless you want the full VIP treatment, I doubt you’ll have to spend more than $50 on a ticket to a concert, even at some of the best professional orchestras in the world. country. Plus, most symphonies have student discounts, bringing the price down even further, and if you’re smart, you can pay as little as $10 or even get in for free. For a local bargain, consider getting a Detroit Symphony Orchestra SoundCard pass: it’s $25 for an entire concert season (for students). University Musical Society, or UMS, also offers great, low-cost concerts here in Ann Arbor. Small local orchestras usually have moderately priced tickets, and it’s a great way to support your community. And here’s another little secret: concerts usually don’t sell out, so there are plenty of free seats. If there is a better vacant seat, you can take it – the only thing you risk is the possibility of a very awkward encounter if the person sitting in that seat arrives.

Finally, consider attending concerts by student ensembles. The University of Michigan’s School of Music, Drama, and Dance (SMTD) is one of the top music schools in the nation, and its bands and orchestras are certainly close, if not professional. These concerts are completely free to the public and you have the added benefit of supporting the University’s music program. Who knows, maybe the person sitting next to you at your conference is also an incredibly good cellist.

There is a dress code.

You don’t have to dress up to go to an orchestra concert. Granted, a lot of people do, and it wouldn’t be strange, but I’ve shown up to gigs in a T-shirt, khaki shorts, and Crocs. But remember that most concert halls can get a little chilly at times, so you should bring a layer.

Classical music is for snobs, and I’m not the intended audience.

Yes, there are classical music snobs, but there are also gatekeepers for every genre of music, and they are always in the minority. Most of the viewers and performers are just normal people and would like more people to be part of their community. Classical music has a reputation for being part of upper-class culture and serving the aristocracy, but in modern times, musicians and institutions are trying to move away from this stereotype. Yes, classical music used to be a white male dominated field, created by wealthy white people, for wealthy white people, but that is changing. An art form can never survive long term without diversity and change over time. Change is happening here within the University’s own SMTD: The Michigan Orchestral Repertoire for Equity, or PLUS, is a 10-year project to diversify orchestral music by commissioning compositions from a variety of composers contemporaries. And change follows demand – the more gigs you and people like you go to, the more gigs will have programs you love.

I would prefer a regular concert.

But what’s so good about an orchestra concert? What can you get from this that you can’t get from anything else? I mean, sitting in silence for an hour listening to a piece of music surely can’t be as fun as listening to a band play through their set of a dozen songs while you’re able to drink, talk and dance, right? I also like going to ‘normal’ concerts, but the orchestra is a completely different experience – it’s like watching episodes of a TV show rather than reading a novel. There is a feeling of grandeur, epicness and satisfaction that only listening to a symphony or a longer piece of classical music can give. I’m not going to lie; I get bored listening to classical music and the whole program or piece almost never fully appeals to me, but that’s okay. Because I know there are those few magical moments – when the orchestra reaches that monumental climax, or when the musical is so light and transparent it almost disappears, or that solo that makes me hold my breath – that Otherwise won’t give me goosebumps. And it’s those moments that stay with you, lodge deep in your consciousness and become new foundational memories.

Orchestra concerts have lackluster visuals.

Orchestral concerts are not only an incredible aural experience – the acoustics of concert halls are otherworldly – but they are also a feast for the eyes. There may not be flashing lights and pyrotechnics (sometimes there are, in fact), but it’s surprisingly fun to let your eyes wander and follow the musicians and conductor. Being able to see the players makes it a much more human experience. Like all live music, it’s a performance, and sometimes they mess up – but the risk is what makes it exciting.

I do not have time.

Usually the concerts last about 90 minutes of music with a 20 minute intermission. Intermission is the perfect time to have a drink, stretch your legs and debrief a bit. What if you go to a gig and you really don’t like it, or need to be somewhere else? You can leave during intermission. Of course, it would be better if you stayed for the whole show, but people usually walk around during the intermission anyway and it’s not like they count the number of spectators before and after the show. Ultimately, orchestra gigs aren’t as tense or serious as people make them out to be. Make sure to put your phone in silent mode, but if you have to go there to check something silently, that’s fine. If your chair squeaks or you sneeze, it’s not the end of the world.

You can make the most of this experience and make every gig what you want it to be. Find a program that sounds interesting to you. Go with friends. Maybe even try to meet the musicians. But I urge you to give it a shot; you might discover something extraordinary.

Daily Arts Writer Jason Zhang can be reached at zhangjt@umich.edu.