We want your experience at the Shepherd School to be extraordinary, and we hope to answer many of the questions you have regarding concerts and events on this page. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions below for additional details. If you have additional questions, call our Shepherd School Box Office at 713-348-8000, Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm.
Tickets
How can I reserve tickets?
- Online: music.rice.edu/events
- Phone: 713-348-8000 (Monday through Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm)
- In person: One hour prior to performances that are ticketed (Stude Grand Foyer and/or Brockman Hall for Opera Grand Foyer). We accept credit cards and Apple Pay. We do not accept cash at this time.
Which performances require tickets, and how much are tickets?
With over 400 events each season, many of which are free or at minimal cost, the Shepherd School offers a variety of programming options. Some events require tickets, and others do not–view the SSM Events Calendar for more information.
If tickets are required, a red ticket icon will appear on the SSM Events Calendar. Tickets go on sale throughout the year, and a ‘Buy Tickets’ link will appear when tickets are available.
If tickets are not required, a ticket icon will not appear on the SSM Events Calendar; seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
What are pay-what-you-wish tickets?
It’s exactly what it sounds like–you’re able to set your own price for tickets to select performances at the Shepherd School. Pay-what-you-wish tickets are available for Shepherd School Symphony and Chamber Orchestra performances. The majority of our seats are free, while pay-what-you-wish tickets are available for select sections, with prices going up to $25.
What are your ticket policies? (refunds and exchanges)
All ticket sales are final and we do not offer refunds for ticket purchases. If you need to exchange your tickets for an alternate date of the same performance, please contact the box office at 713-348-8000. Please see our recommendations for instances in which you are unable to attend a performance you have tickets for below.
What ticket delivery options are available?
- Mobile tickets–sent directly to your email 5 days prior to the performance and easily accessible in the ‘Your Upcoming Events’ section of your online account.
- Pick up at will call–your tickets will be available for pick up one hour prior to the performance.
- Mail–you may select this option up to 10 business days prior to the performance for a $2 fee.
What ticket fees are charged, if any?
If you would like your tickets mailed, there is a $2 fee to cover postage and ticket fulfillment. Otherwise, the Shepherd School of Music does not charge any ticket fees.
Do you mail tickets internationally?
Due to prohibitive costs, we do not mail tickets internationally. Please select another option to receive your tickets, including mobile tickets or hold at the box office.
How do I access mobile tickets, and when will they arrive?
Your mobile tickets will be emailed to you 5 days before the performance*. This message will include QR codes for each of your reserved seats that will act as your tickets (see image below).
If you are having a difficult time locating the email with your tickets, search for tickets@music.rice.edu in your email inbox. Look for a message with the subject line "Your Shepherd School of Music Tickets." If you can't seem to locate your mobile tickets, please call us at 713-348-8000 and we are happy to assist you.
*If you ordered tickets for multiple performances, all tickets will be delivered to your email five days before the first performance in your order.
Can I add my tickets to my Apple or Google wallet?
Yes! This feature will be available in 2024.
What should I do if my tickets were mailed, but I can’t find them?
If you need your tickets reprinted, please email contactshepherd@rice.edu for assistance, and your tickets will be held for pick up at the box office starting one hour prior to the event start time.
Are concerts no longer free?
With over 400 concerts per year, the majority of our events are still free admission and require no tickets. For larger events, we wanted to give our patrons the convenience of choosing their own seats at their desired price point. A number of our ticketed events, like Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, offer a Pay-What-You-Wish option with tickets ranging from $0-25. Opera performances in the new Morrison Theater at Brockman Hall for Opera have tickets starting at $15.
Can I have the same seats all season?
We do not offer subscription ticket sales at this time but hope to do so in the future.
What discounts are available?
Most performances at the Shepherd School are free or offer pay-what-you-wish pricing. Tickets for Shepherd School Opera productions start at $15. Current Rice University faculty, staff and students are eligible for discounted opera tickets, please email contactshepherd@rice.edu or call 713-348-8000 (Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm) for more information.
What should I do if I didn’t receive an order confirmation or my tickets?
We’d be happy to assist you! Please email contactshepherd@rice.edu or call 713-348-8000 (Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm).
If I can’t attend a performance, what are my options? Are tickets transferable?
If you are unable to attend, please let us know so your tickets may be offered to another audience member. We recommend offering your tickets to a friend or family member. We do not offer refunds or the ability to donate back your tickets.
Are accessible seats available, and how do I reserve them?
Accessible and companion seating is available at all seating levels and at every price point in all performance venues. Seats specifically designated for accessibility are indicated with a wheelchair icon or star icon and can either be reserved directly through our ticketing site or by calling the box office at 713-348-8000. We will be glad to assist you. Additionally, many levels of our performance venues feature movable armchair seating, which are indicated on the seat maps with a star icon. It is also possible to arrange these seats to accommodate patron accessibility if needed.
Is there a group discount available?
A group discount is available for opera performances only for groups larger than 10. Please email contactshepherd@rice.edu or call the box office at 713-348-8000 (Monday through Friday 9am-4pm) for more information.
What are standby tickets?
- Reserving standby tickets gives you the opportunity to attend concerts by occupying seats that become available the night of the performance (this includes all levels of seats!). All standby tickets are $5.
- Standby seating will begin after the performance starts, typically during or after the first movement of a piece.
- We cannot guarantee that all members of your party will be seated together.
Your Online Account
How do I reset my Shepherd School ticketing account password?
Step 1: Click here
Step 2: Click on the ‘Forgot Password’ button
Step 3: Enter your email address and click ‘Submit’
Step 4: Check your email and click on the link to reset your password.
How do I update my contact information?
If you recently moved or changed your email address, you can update your information online by logging into your Shepherd School ticketing account.
Shepherd Society Ticket Benefits & Question
How can I get presale access and preferred seating?
Becoming a Shepherd Society member offers an array of benefits from access to a special phone line to presale access and preferred seating, depending on donor level. Shepherd Society members at the Ambassador level and above ($250+) receive presale access for most Shepherd School performances, and those at the Patron level ($500+) get preferred seating. Learn more about becoming a Shepherd Society member by visiting music.rice.edu/give or calling 713-348-3492.
Does my ticket purchase count toward my Shepherd Society membership?
Your ticket purchase supports the overall activities of the Shepherd School and does not qualify as a donation. To join or renew your Shepherd Society membership, call 713-348-3492.
Can I make a Shepherd Society donation with my ticket order?
At this time, Shepherd School ticket and donation payments are processed separately due to University policy. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Concert Live Streams
Which concerts are streamed?
New this season, all Shepherd School Symphony and Chamber Orchestra performances are available for live streaming as they happen. This is in addition to live streams of faculty and student recitals from Duncan Recital Hall. If a performance will be live streamed, an icon will appear next to it on the Shepherd School of Music events calendar.
How do I access live streams?
To watch a live stream, click the links below or visit music.rice.edu/events and select the performance you’d like to watch on the calendar. A link will appear when the stream is live on the concert page and along the header of music.rice.edu.
Stude Concert Hall Live Stream: https://music.rice.edu/free-live-streams-stude-concert-hall
Duncan Recital Hall Live Stream: https://music.rice.edu/live-streaming-duncan-recital-hall
Are the live streams free, and do they require registration?
Live streams are free and do not require registration at this time.
Is replay or on-demand viewing available?
Live streams can be enjoyed as they happen and are not available for on-demand viewing.