Benaroya Hall - S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium Seating Guide for "100 Years of Epic Film Scores"

Expert Recommendations for the Seattle Symphony Performance

Experience Steven Reineke conducting the Seattle Symphony in this spectacular celebration of cinematic music. Below is my curated guide to help you find the perfect seats at Benaroya Hall, balancing price, view quality, and availability.

🎻 Best Value Tickets (Under $110)

• Orchestra Right Row F ($92): Excellent mid-orchestra position with clear sightlines to the stage. Rows E-F offer the best value in this section.
• Orchestra Right Row R ($101): Slightly rear but still maintains good acoustics. Perfect for budget-conscious listeners who want orchestra warmth.
• Orchestra Right Row GG ($111): Front-center of the rear orchestra with surprisingly good sound dispersion.

⭐ Sweet Spot Tickets ($110-$130)

• Orchestra Center Row HH ($121-122): The acoustic sweet spot of the hall. Center seating provides balanced sound for the full symphonic experience.
• Orchestra Rear Left/Right Rows QQ-RR ($123-125): Elevated rear orchestra seats provide excellent overview of the entire ensemble at a moderate price.
• Orchestra Middle Center Row HH ($131): Premium mid-orchestra position - ideal for seeing both conductor and instrumental sections clearly.

🎼 Higher Tier Options ($130-$150)

• Orchestra Middle Left/Right Rows CC ($133-137): Closer to the stage with more intimate performer views, though slightly off-center.
• Orchestra Center Row GG ($144): Exceptional center seating just behind the premium priced sections.
• Founders Tier Center Row D ($152): First balcony with outstanding overhead view of the entire stage.

💎 Premium & Last-Minute Options

• Founders Tier Rows B-C ($177-178): Best balcony seats with perfect elevation and legendary acoustics.
• Third Tier Row F ($266): Surprisingly good sound from upper levels with dramatic vertical sightlines.
• Orchestra Row X ($758+): Ultra-premium front center seats - expect to see bow movements and facial expressions.

🔍 View Comparison

• Orchestra Center: Direct sound projection but may miss some visual details of rear percussion
• Orchestra Sides: Great for seeing specific instrument sections (violins on right, cellos/basses on left)
• Founders Tier: Perfect for watching conductor technique and overall ensemble coordination
• Rear Orchestra: Best for experiencing the hall's famous "surround sound" acoustics

🎯 My Top Recommendations

• For Sound Purists: Orchestra Center HH ($121) or Founders Tier C ($177)
• For Budget Buyers: Orchestra Right F ($92) - best sub-$100 seat in the house
• For Visual Spectacle: Orchestra Left FF ($193) - perfect angle to see all string sections
• For Last-Minute Splurges: The remaining Orchestra X seats offer once-in-a-lifetime proximity

Remember that Benaroya Hall has no truly bad seats - even the upper tiers benefit from Yamaha's acoustic design. For film scores, I recommend prioritizing center sections to fully appreciate the layered orchestration.