FAQs - Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO)

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration Questions

Students with proof of current student status can attend the full 3-day conference for just $150. This special rate includes a 1-year ACSO student membership, valued at $30 and valid through September 30, 2026. Single-day student tickets may also be purchased at deeply discounted prices. Subject to availability. Contact conference@acso.org before you register to verify and provide proof of your student status.

Do you offer a group discount?

Member organizations in Groups 1-3 ($1M+) bringing 5 or more delegates are eligible to receive 10% off registration fees.

Member organizations in Groups 4-7 (<$1M), youth orchestras, leagues & guilds, collegiate orchestras, and choruses bringing 3 or more delegates, are eligible to receive 10% off registration fees

Group rates are only valid during the early bird registration period. Contact conference@acso.org to register your group.

Do you offer a musician discount?

What is your cancellation and substitution policy?

Can I bring a guest?

Can I register onsite?

Can I attend the conference virtually and will the sessions be recorded or livestreamed?

Location Questions

Where does the conference take place?

Where do I stay?

Where do I park?

Hotel Valet Parking
$75/day

Self-Parking

Jessie Square Garage (3 min walk from hotel)
223 Stevenson Street, San Francisco
$5/hour; $25/12 hours; $35 max daily

Hearst Parking Center (across the street from the hotel)
45 3rd St., San Francisco
$25 (2.5-12 hours); $35 max daily

Moscone Center Garage (6 min walk from hotel)
255 3rd St., San Francisco
$3/hour; $29/12 hours; $35 max daily

Accesibility Information

If you have a disability, accessibility needs, or require reasonable accommodations, please indicate on your registration form that our staff should contact you for more information. This could include but is not limited to wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, assisted listening, or a guide. You can contact us directly at any time by emailing conference@acso.org or 800-495-2276 x2. Please make your request as early as possible. After July 4, 2024, a best effort will be made to accommodate requests, but we cannot guarantee accommodation.

Attendees who require personal care assistance should bring their own assistant. Personal care assistants do not need to pay to register for Conference. If you would like to register a personal care assistant, please contact us at conference@acso.org. Guide dogs and other service animals are welcome.

The conference venue is wheelchair accessible. The hotel has a level entrance with automatic doors and elevators lead to the guest and meeting rooms. Wheelchair-accessible guest rooms are available. If you would like to discuss your specific accessibility needs directly with the venue, contact the Hyatt Regency SF Downtown SOMA at 415-974-6400.

All offsite venues have wheelchair accessibility and are fully ADA compliant.

Code of Conduct

The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and networking experience. Our Code of Conduct sets expectations for all ACSO program participants (virtual or in-person), provides steps to report incidents, and lists possible consequences for would-be violators.

This Code of Conduct aims to support and sustain a community where all people feel safe to participate and introduce new ideas. ACSO does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form based on family status, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, native language, age, ability, race and/or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, neurodiversity, or geographic origin.

We welcome contributions from everyone who wants to engage in a healthy and constructive manner within our community. We ask all participants to agree and adhere to these guidelines to help us create a respectful and impactful experience for all.

Please click here to view the code of conduct.

Health & Safety

Transparent COVID-19 safety protocols are essential to making our 2024 Annual Conference a safe space for us to gather. Our goal is for attendees to know what protocols to expect, feel comfortable gathering, and stay safe and healthy. ACSO will follow the mandates of the CDC, State, City and Venues that may be in place at the time of the Conference. Attendees and speakers will be required to abide by any mandates that may be in place.

As of April 25, 2024 there are currently no safety mandates in place in the State of California, City of San Francisco, or any of the venues that we will be using during the Conference. While masking is not required, this is a mask-friendly event and we encourage participants to wear masks as they see fit.

ACSO strongly recommends that all attendees and participants are aware of their own personal health status and take steps recommended by the CDC related to vaccinations prior to attending a conference. If you test positive for COVID-19 within ten days of the start of Conference, please do not come. If you test positive for COVID-19 during Conference, do not attend any additional in-person sessions or functions.

ACSO's COVID-19 policies are subject to change at any time. Should the policy change, we will contact participants. We look forward to safely gathering together soon.

Photography & Video

Please be aware that by participating, you are authorizing ACSO the right and permission to record video and audio. Further, you authorize ACSO and its employees, agents, and assigns to use your photograph, voice, or other likeness for purposes related to the mission of ACSO, including but not limited to publicity, marketing, websites, other electronic forms of media, and promotion of ACSO and its various programs. Such use will not entitle you to any credit or compensation. You release ACSO, its officers, and employees from any liability connected with the use of any image, photograph, or recording taken during ACSO's Conference.