The most generous and, by far, my favorite affordable ticket initiative is New York Philharmonic’s Free Fridays, which provides free tickets for select Friday performances to anyone 13 to 26. Though I now graciously enjoy several concerts per season, I was not always interested in classical music. I grew up playing piano, yet rarely showed interest in listening to the repertoire independently. In college, I probably would not have set foot into a music department performance if it weren’t for extra credit or to support my friends who were a part of many a music group.
Slowly, what began as an admittedly shallow habit turned into a genuine interest. I actually enjoyed what I was hearing and became invested in the different programs offered throughout the season. I had the opportunity to hear popular works like Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade as well as new works like Julia Wolfe’s Fire in My Mouth and Ellen Reid’s When the World as You’ve Known It Doesn’t Exist. I experienced performances by acclaimed artists like Renee Fleming (soprano), Yefim Bronfman (pianist), Anthony Roth Costanzo (countertenor), Emanuel Ax (pianist), and Julia Fischer (violinist). Furthermore, the concerts inspired a renewed interest in my own music studies and I found myself eager to revive my repertoire and explore new pieces.
As I approach the age limit on the Free Friday’s Program, I contemplate what my future relationship with the NY Philharmonic will be. The concerts have undoubtedly become a part of my life and a welcomed occasion. I see myself continuing to attend performances, although I am likely to be more selective in the ones I attend. I may even become a subscriber under MyPhil, a bridge program that offers those under 35 a subscription package with tickets starting at $35 per concert.
Perhaps given my background, it was inevitable that I would eventually find my way back to classical music and become an avid concertgoer. However, this can be a potential path for others as well. I encourage young people to utilize these low cost programs to sample new cultural experiences. The results may be unexpected.
NY Philharmonic offers three tiers of affordable tickets:
Student Rush for $18
Free Fridays (discussed above) for those 13 to 26
MyPhil (discussed above) for those 35 and under