Easy Listening

Anyone who has ever been to the Hollywood Bowl probably agrees that it’s among the most spectacular places in L.A. to watch a concert.

The outdoor theater, with its famous white shell over the stage, is surrounded by giant trees, and every seat has a great view of the night sky.

This is scenic and wonderful, but have you ever tried parking at the Hollywood Bowl? What about fighting the crowds after a concert, as you dash to your car (which is probably blocked) or to a shuttle?

Believe it or not, you can see the bowl’s regular ensembles--the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra--without having to elbow your way in a herd or sit in a traffic jam for hours.

We’re talking complete performances featuring music by such famous composers as Beethoven, Mozart, Gershwin and Tchaikovsky. The best part is that it’s free and an average of about 50 people fill the 18,000-seat bowl during these performances.

It’s like attending a private concert with a small group of friends. And you get to park for free in the front lot next to the entrance. Anyone familiar with the venue knows that’s an area reserved for orchestra ticket holders who have dished out big bucks.

If it sounds too good to be true, read on. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through the end of the Hollywood Bowl’s season in mid-September, the public can watch a rehearsal of that evening’s concert.

In many cases the orchestra goes through the entire program without stopping, so it’s like sitting through the real thing.

Makes you wonder why there’s not a better turnout for these great events.

A Hollywood Bowl usher who works the rehearsals has a theory: “Not enough people come because they don’t know about it,” said Adir Levy. “I got my parents to come and they love it. They’re regulars now.”

Rehearsals are usually from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and you can bring coffee and a muffin or whatever else you may want to snack on.

Mornings are pleasant, usually cool and breezy, and there’s a section of seats in an area that is always shaded.

Some folks read the paper during part of the performance and others doze off. It’s a kicked-back, relaxed atmosphere and the regulars want to keep it that way.

“It’s a nice little secret, so we don’t want it to get so much publicity,” said Gerald Hayman, who along with his wife has attended the sessions for 30 years. “We used to come to the night performances when we were younger, but it’s too demanding now to deal with the parking and big crowds. It’s just too much for us.”

Another treat is that sometimes the conductor will interact with the small crowd during breaks, something unlikely to happen during a packed evening concert.

There’s only one down side to the rehearsals, according to several onlookers at a recent session, and it’s not that orchestra members are in shorts and T-shirts instead of tuxedos and fancy dresses.

“We don’t care about that because they sound great,” Hayman said. “The thing we miss is that there’s no fireworks.”

Well, you can’t have it all. The pyrotechnics are strictly reserved for the show. Rehearsals are free because the Hollywood Bowl, part of the Recreation and Parks Department, is open daily year-round to the public.

Today Stefan Sanderling will conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic through its performance of Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G and Schumann’s Symphony No. 4.

Friday’s rehearsal features classic pops conducted by John Williams. Other upcoming performances include a concert by Tango Magic and tunes by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein.

When you’ve had enough music, check out the Hollywood Bowl Museum, which is also free. Photo and video exhibits illustrate the bowl’s history, and a resource center has computers that allow the public to look up a favorite artist, learn about the bowl’s evolution or connect to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Web site.

There are also headphones throughout the museum so you can listen to the famous artists who have played at the bowl over the years. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

BE THERE

Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic rehearsals at the Hollywood Bowl from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday through mid-September. Admission and parking are free. The Hollywood Bowl is off the Hollywood Freeway at 2301 N. Highland Ave. (323) 850-2000.

* Send Jaunts ideas, allowing at least two weeks’ notice, to staff writer Irene Garcia at The Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311. Or send e-mail to Irene.Garcia@latimes.com.