It’s a short rest period for the musicians and conductor – once you see how much activity goes into a performance, you’ll understand why they need a break! Listening to music is also an intense activity and a break in the middle helps the audience concentrate better in the second half. Some concerts, though, have no intermission because it would interrupt the flow of a long work. Check the program before the concert so you know what to expect. Most intermissions of the concerts are 20 minutes long and often refreshments are available in the lobby.