Terms & Conditions

This page details terms and conditions relevant to ticket bookings, memberships, offers and competitions, as well as website use and third party affiliations for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO).

By using this website you agree to be bound by the the CBSO's Terms of Use, and if you purchase any goods or services from the CBSO (directly or indirectly), you agree to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and any specific conditions set out.

Please note that tickets for most CBSO events are sold through the B:Music Box Office, and as such are also subject to the respective B:Music Terms and Conditions. These terms and conditions also relate to attendance at performances in B:Music-owned venues. The CBSO has no policy control in external venues.

Anyone who engages with the CBSO is committing to being part of a culture that values compassion, respect, and joy. As an organisation, it is our aim to provide the best service we can, while also protecting our staff, players, and anyone working on our behalf from abuse, hostility, and violence. We expect everyone to act with courtesy and respect in their communications and actions, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. You can read more about how we expect everyone to be treated in our respectful behaviour policy.


Conditions of Sale

By purchasing a ticket for a CBSO performance you are agreeing to the following terms and conditions:

Tickets

  • Tickets are not eligible for refund or exchange, unless a performance is cancelled or rescheduled. The CBSO reserves the right to alter programmes and artists without notice, and in this event refunds or exchanges will not be given.
  • Tickets are not transferable to another concert or event unless you are advised otherwise and you may be charged a fee.
  • All tickets and discounts are subject to availability. Please note that promotional codes and special offers cannot be applied to tickets which have been already booked.
  • It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that the seats booked are appropriate for themselves and/or the party attending.
  • The CBSO reserves the right to amend which seating is on sale. If additional seating is released, customers may request a change of seat, at the box office’s discretion. Where the value of the seat is greater than your original seat, you will be asked to pay the difference. Where the value of the seat is less than the original, no refunds or credits will be offered. Additional charges may apply.
  • A per ticket commission applies for all tickets over £15 sold through the B:Music Box Office - all prices on our website and in our publications are shown inclusive of this commission.
  • B:Music will no longer post physical tickets unless requested by the customer. If you do wish to receive tickets by post, this will be subject to a charge of £2 per order.
  • Please take care of your tickets, as B:Music will charge £2 for printing duplicates.

Safety & Enjoyment

  • The CBSO and B:Music will make every effort to admit latecomers at a suitable break in the performance, but we cannot always guarantee entry.
  • By purchasing tickets you consent that you (and your party) may be filmed and/or photographed by the CBSO during performances for promotional purposes.
  • Phones and tablets may be used at CBSO concerts to read digital programme notes and to take photographs and short video clips during the applause breaks. We ask that you are mindful of disturbing artists and other audience members. To ensure everyone is able to enjoy the performance, please dim the brightness on your phone, make sure it is set to silent and do not use your flash.

Children and Young People

  • Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult, however those aged 14-15 year can attend unaccompanied under parental discretion. Please note that the CBSO cannot be held responsible for your children when unaccompanied by an adult.
  • To check the suitability of a performance for your family, please consult the performance webpage or enquire when booking.
  • All children aged over 9 months require a ticket for both Family and Notelets concerts. For main season concerts at Symphony Hall and Town Hall, every audience member over the age of 18 months must possess a valid ticket. Children over 18 months may sit on the lap of an adult, however they still require a ticket.

Accessible Tickets

  • Both CBSO Centre and Symphony Hall are fully accessible for those with additional needs.
  • If you are attending concerts at Symphony Hall, accessible tickets can be booked by joining the B:Music Access Scheme which offers a dedicated phone line.
  • For performances which include a BSL interpreter, seats can be booked online and those with the best view of the interpreter are highlighted on the seating plan.
  • Free companion tickets can only be booked through the Box Office at Symphony Hall, either by phone or via email, as part of the Access Scheme.
  • Those booking tickets through the B:Music Access Scheme are able to utilise the ticket offers for under-18s, students, 18-30s and benefit recipients.
  • Accessible parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those on the Access Scheme are eligible to book for this parking as of Monday 29 July 2024.

Offers & Discounts

All offers and discounts are subject to availability and to valid proof of concession. Please note that offers and discounts cannot be applied to tickets which have been already booked.

Multi-Buy Discounts

  • Multi-buy discounts for each Season are limited to eligible* main season concerts and can only be applied within a single season.
  • Fixed savings can only be applied to eligible* main season concerts within the same season as the original booking.
  • Tickets must be booked in a single transaction to qualify for the multi-buy discount. This discount will then be applied to future ticket purchases within the same season, offering fixed savings.
  • Any future bookings will not be exempt from B:Music's £3.50 per ticket commission, and only the discount will be applied.
  • Multi-buy discounts cannot be combined with any other discount or concession.
  • Additional benefits, which include exemption from B:Music's £3.50 per ticket commission, discounted parking, ticket exchange and a 10% discount at Presto Music are only available to those booking 7+ concerts in a single transaction.
  • Multi-buy discounts are accrued on per-ticket, per-concert basis. Where you book a different number of tickets for each concert, the total discount applied may vary.

*Family Concerts, performances at the CBSO Centre, Rush Hour concerts and concerts presented by a third party are not eligible for the multi-buy offer and associated benefits.

If you are unable to attend a concert purchased as part of your 7+ multi-buy discount, you can exchange your tickets for seats at another CBSO concert where the following conditions are met:

  • The performance takes place at Symphony Hall and is included within the multi-buy offer.
  • The performance is within the same Season.
  • The tickets are of the same value. Existing tickets may be used as part-payment towards CBSO tickets of a higher value (also within the same Season)
  • Exchanges are subject to availability
  • Each ticket may only be exchanged once, any subsequent exchanges will be charged at £3.
  • Tickets can only be exchanged for tickets to an alternative performance, not for alternative seats at the same performance.

Tickets can be exchanged as of Monday 15 July 2024. To arrange an exchange call the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 at least 48 hours in advance of the concert for which you would like to exchange. To arrange an exchange call the Box Office on 0121 780 3333 at least 48 hours in advance of the concert for which you would like to exchange.

Tickets should be returned to B:Music Box Office, Symphony Hall, 8 Centenary Square, Birmingham B1 2EA, and must be received prior to the concert date in order for the exchange to be carried out. The Box Office reserves the right to refuse exchanges at shorter notice. Only tickets purchased as part of your CBSO 7+ multi-buy discount can be exchanged. Credit notes cannot be issued.

Discounted Tickets

  • Those aged 17 and under*, students* and eligible benefit recipients (Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit and Disability Tax Credit) can book tickets from £5. For a small number of selected performances, Student Tickets will be charged at £7.50.
  • Bookers aged 18-30* can book tickets from £10. For a small number of selected performances, 18-30s Tickets will be charged at £15.
  • All discounted tickets worth less than £15 are exempt from the per ticket commission charged by B:Music.
  • Discounted tickets cannot be combined with any other discount, promotional offer or concessionary rate.
  • Discounted tickets are also subject to our standard ticket terms.
  • We reserve the right to limit the number of discounted tickets available for each performance.
  • You may be asked for appropriate proof of eligibility when booking, collecting your tickets, or on entry to the venue.

*Please note: discounts for under-18s, students and 18-30s are only available on main Season performances, and exclude Family Concerts and Notelets.

'£1 Tickets for Brummies' Limited Offer

  • Customers with a Birmingham postcode ('B' postcode area) can book up to two £1 tickets for one concert in the CBSO’s 2024-25 season*
  • This offer is limited to two tickets, per customer
  • Tickets must be purchased in-person at the B:Music box office on Sunday 1 September 2024, between 3pm and 6pm
  • Tickets cannot be purchased on behalf of another person. Customers will be required to create an account with B:Music when purchasing tickets
  • This offer only applies to tickets in the stalls for performances at Symphony Hall and Town Hall
  • £1 tickets will be capped at 150 per concert for Symphony Hall and Town Hall and 30 per concert at the CBSO Centre
  • Tickets are not eligible for refund or exchange, unless a performance is cancelled or rescheduled
  • This offer is subject to availability and valid proof of address must be shown when booking
  • This offer cannot be applied to tickets which have been already booked
  • B:Music is a cashless venue and cannot take cash for any ticket purchases. You will need to pay by card or contactless device for this offer
  • All other conditions of sale apply

*Please note, Top Gun: Maverick in Concert, Life on Our Planet in Concert, Handel's Messiah, Ex Cathedra: Bruckner, Palestrina & Allegri and Symphonic Sessions are excluded from this ticket offer.

Groups

All CBSO performances at Symphony Hall and CBSO Centre (excluding Family Concerts and Notelets*) are available to book under the groups discount. Contact the B:Music Box Office to make your reservation.

  • Groups of 10+ will receive a 20% discount on each ticket’s price and a reduced per-ticket commission of £1
  • Groups of 20+ will receive a 25% saving on each ticket’s price, with every 11th ticket free and a reduced per-ticket commission of £1
  • Tickets for children aged 17 or under will be priced at £5 for all group bookings and no further discount applies.
  • Where a group reservation has been made, you will need to confirm final numbers for your group at least one month in advance, and full payment must then be made. We may request confirmation of numbers and payment earlier, should all other tickets for the concert be sold.
  • If you distribute your tickets in advance, please make a note of which group members are sitting in which seats on your group member seat allocation form, and return it to the address given on the form, in case any of your group mislay their tickets.
  • For full information about coach drop off options and parking, please see the B:Music website or contact the box office.

SCHOOLS AND YOUTH MUSIC GROUPS

Both young people and teachers/chaperones are able to book £5 tickets for all main Season concerts (including Family and Notelets concerts). To benefit from this offer, you must be booking as a group of 10+ and using an official email address. No additional discount applies.


Pre-ordered Concert Programmes

All printed programmes for CBSO concerts are sold and distributed by B:Music - preorders can be made online or over the phone up-to 4 working days before the performance takes place.

  • Pre-ordered concert programmes can be collected from the B:Music Programmes Desk on the day of the performance.
  • For any programmes not collected, B:Music will be unable to hold or post the programme, and the customer will not be eligible for a refund.
  • For those who have not pre-ordered, a limited number of printed programmes will be available to purchase at CBSO performances.

Customer Data

  • Once you have booked tickets for a CBSO concert, your contact details will be held on the CBSO’s and B:Music’s databases.
  • You may receive communication from both organisations about their future activities, using any of the contact methods you provided, unless you specify otherwise when booking.
  • Other arts organisations and companies carefully selected by CBSO and B:Music may also be interested in sending you information on events and products they think will be of interest. If you do not want your details to be passed to other organisations please tell us at the time of booking.


For full details of how we use your data, visit our privacy policy.


Memberships

Members’ Events

  • Invitations to members’ events are exclusive to existing members only.
  • Non-members may only attend a members’ event when in the company of an existing member.
  • When booking for an event you’ll receive a booking confirmation but we won’t issue any tickets. Your name will be added to a Guest List and you will be welcomed on arrival.
  • Event bookings are processed in the order that they are received, on a first-come first-served basis.
  • If an event is fully booked, you will be informed and asked if you would like your details to be added to a waiting list. If a place then becomes available you will be notified and only charged at that point (if the event is a chargeable event).
  • Bookings are non-refundable. However, if you’re unable to attend an event please contact development@cbso.co.uk in advance and we will be happy to credit the value of the event booking so that you can use it on a future member’s event. Credits cannot be used for any other type of booking.
  • Eligibility for members' receptions is as follows:
    • Friends: 1 reception
    • Gold Friends, Patrons and Silver Patrons: 2 receptions
    • Gold Patrons: 4 receptions
    • Circles and Benefactors: all receptions

Website: Terms of use

Access to, and use of, cbso.co.uk is provided to you subject to the following terms and conditions. By using our website you are accepting these terms and conditions, which are subject to change:

  • The CBSO makes every effort to ensure that the information on this website is accurate. However, we are unable to accept liability for any errors and/or omissions and reserve the right to change any of the information at any time without notice.
  • We support as many combinations of devices, platforms and operating systems as possible. Please be aware that older browser versions may not be optimised for viewing this website.
  • The CBSO does not take responsibility for the contents or reliability of any linked websites and does not necessarily endorse the views expressed within them.
  • The CBSO expects that users will assume full responsibility for the security and protection of their device - including hardware and software.
  • All content contained on this website belongs to the CBSO and is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. No part of this site may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the CBSO.

Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy


Third Parties

From time-to-time, the CBSO works with Third Party organisations to provide offers and benefits to CBSO customers. These are subject to the following terms and conditions, as well as any terms set out by the relevant Third Party.

Q-Park Limited

  • Eligible bookers will receive a link to book discounted parking online
  • Discounted parking is subject to availability
  • As discounted parking is arranged through Q-Park Limited, the CBSO are unable to assume any responsibility for customer parking at Q-Park sites.

For Q-Park Limited's Terms and Conditions, visit their website.

West Midlands Metro

  • As part of our official partnership with West Midlands Metro, they are offering CBSO bookers a 20% discount on tram travel
  • To take advantage of the discount, download the MyMetro App and register your details
  • You can then book your discounted tram travel using this link.
  • The discount applies to Zone 1-4 Adult off-peak tickets after 09:30



Competitions

The below terms and conditions apply to all our competitions unless specified otherwise. Entry into any CBSO-promoted competition will be deemed as acceptance of the below terms and conditions.

  • By entering the competition, entrants automatically give consent for their entries and any content thereof, including their name and other personal data, to be used in any and all CBSO publicity materials without notice or limitation
  • Employees of the CBSO, their family members or anyone else connected in any way with the competition shall not be permitted to enter competitions.
  • There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter CBSO competitions.
  • No entries to the competition will be permitted after the specified closing date. CBSO reserve the right to reject competition entries on these grounds. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for any reason, even if beyond the entrant's control.
  • Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered. Prizes are subject to availability and the CBSO reserves the right to substitute any prize with another of equivalent value without notice.
  • Competitions run over multiple social media platforms class as one competition, with one overall prize.
  • Unless otherwise specified, winners will be drawn at random.
  • The promoter’s decision in respect of the winner all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • The winner will be notified within 10 working days of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 10 working days of notification, the CBSO reserves the right to withdraw the prize and pick a replacement winner.
  • The CBSO reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice.

Post-concert Survey Competition

If you enter the competition within our post-concert survey to win a £50 restaurant voucher, you are agreeing to all of the above terms in addition to specific terms set out below:

  • Winners will be selected in November, January and March. Once one prize has been drawn, customers will need to re-enter when eligible.
  • The restaurant must offer gift vouchers online.

Complaints

The CBSO is committed to providing the very best possible service for concertgoers, donors, participants, and all our stakeholders. We try to make sure that every experience with the CBSO is a positive one, but we understand this may not always be the case.

You can make a complaint about a service we have delivered or the way in which it has been delivered by following the 2-stage procedure set out below.

All complaint details, outcomes and actions are recorded by us and used to help us improve our services. We retain this information in line with data protection legislation and will never share it outside of the organisation.

To make a complaint about the CBSO, you can email or write to:
Email: information@cbso.co.uk
Address: CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham B1 2LF

Please note that all complaints regarding Symphony Hall and Town Hall or the hall facilities, e.g. toilets, parking, box office, should be addressed to B:Music:
Email: feedback@bmusic.co.uk
Address: B:Music, Symphony Hall, Centenary Square, Birmingham, B1 2EA

Stage One
Write to or email to us about your dissatisfaction, including as much detail as possible. We ask that you do this within one month of the action that gave rise to your complaint. We will acknowledge your complaint within seven days and will seek to reach an amicable resolution with you in a collaborative, co-operative spirit.

Stage Two

If such a resolution is not possible and you feel your complaint has not been satisfactorily resolved, we invite you to write to the Chief Executive or Chairman with your complaint. Your complaint will be acknowledged within seven days. A senior member of staff will investigate the complaint and prepare a written report within 28 days. The investigation will include the opportunity for you to explain the circumstances of your complaint. The Chief Executive or Chairman will consider the report and write to you with his/her conclusions and any proposed course of action.