Get “In Tune” with Chamber Music at The Barns 

Sep 30, 2025

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Cozy season calls for the return of Chamber Music at The Barns! Between artists like Imani Winds, The Aznavoorian Sisters, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the exciting debut of the series’ new Artistic Advisor Daniel Hope, your outing to The Barns has never sounded so special.

Made up of two 18^th-century barns—one of which is celebrating its 300^th anniversary this year—Wolf Trap’s indoor venue offers a comfortable, intimate, and acoustically brilliant setting in which to experience chamber music.

But don’t let us string you along. Read on to discover all you need to know for your upcoming chamber show!

Prep Ahead for a Legato (Smooth) Outing

Don’t let the occasion fall flat from poor planning. Enjoy a stress-free time with these two easy steps:

1. Pre-save your digital tickets to your phone to make entry a breeze. View this instructional video for help logging in. To pick up physical tickets, Will Call is located to the right of The Barns’ front doors—be sure to have your photo ID and confirmation number ready.
2. Check out the different route options before you leave. If traveling on Dulles Toll Road (Route 267), note drivers will have to pay a toll. As always, plan extra time for traffic and construction-related delays. The Barns is located at 1635 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182 and offers ample free parking. Accessible parking is close to the building. For patrons using a rideshare or taxi, request your driver drop you off in the circle in front of The Barns.

Pre-Show Dining

Arrive up to 90 minutes before your show to experience the gourmet on-site restaurant in the Scottish Barn. This upscale gastropub features a wide selection of handcrafted cocktails, local beers, artisanal wines, and menu standouts like the Maryland Jumbo Lump Crab Cake Sandwich and fall favorite Pumpkin Bread Pudding. Preview the full menu here, and place your order early by going to the bar or scanning the QR code at your table.

The Barns’ restaurant offers something for every taste. Plus, you can enjoy your drink at your seat during the show!

Get the Full-Sound Experience

Reconstructed in Vienna, VA in 1981, the German Barn’s unique architecture replicates the naturally amplified sound experience of Europe’s esteemed concert halls, making it the perfect setting for chamber music! Every seat at The Barns is the best in the house—the 300-year-old weathered wood beams help each note resonate with unparalleled warmth from the floor (orchestra) to the hayloft (balcony). View the seating chart or ask an usher for guidance to find your seats. 

Pick up a Timbre program book as you enter the German Barn for insight on your show, including repertoire, artist biographies, and more. Make sure to read the exclusive feature to get to know Daniel Hope, Wolf Trap’s new Artistic Advisor for Chamber Music at The Barns.

An onstage Q&A with the artists shares additional information about the program. Questions are requested from audience members and are then asked by longtime series host and music aficionado, WETA Classical’s Rich Kleinfeldt. Q&As are a hallmark of the series and take place during the intermission or at the end of the show.

You’re invited to join the artists and organizers in the atrium for a post-performance reception with complimentary sweet treats!

FAQs and Coda

For anyone who’s new to the chamber music scene, welcome! Learn the basics of attending a performance poco a poco (little by little) with answers to some classic(al) questions:

• Is there a dress code?
  There is no set dress code at Wolf Trap. Dress comfortably or dress sharp, whatever strikes your fancy! 
• Silence and lower the brightness on your devices.
  There’s nothing more awkward than a cell phone ringing in the middle of a beautiful Beethoven Fugue. If you need to take a quick peek at the clock, that’s fine, but please don’t disturb others around you.
• Can I take photos?
  The use of recording equipment and cameras (with or without flash) during performances is prohibited. However, feel free to take photos before or after the show. Don’t forget to share your outing by tagging @Wolf Trap on Facebook and @wolf_trap on Instagram.
• Can I applaud?
  Of course! It’s typically best to wait until the end of a piece (not in between movements) so as not to disturb the concentration of the musicians.
• How long are the shows?
  Every show is different—reference the program book to see whether your show has an intermission. If you need to get up from your seat during the performance, during the applause between pieces is a great time to do so.

And that’s a wrap! Explore more world-class music with the rest of the Chamber Music at The Barns series, and curate your perfect 4-pack of chamber concerts to save 10% on tickets!