On several occasions, I have been approached by
friends who confide in me the fact that they're afraid of attending classical
music concerts because of the seemingly daunting Concert Etiquettes.
Actually, Proper behaviour is one of the major factors that repeatedly
scares music lovers away! I have here a short clipping on the internet
by Laurel Ann Maurer, and hope this will help anyone who's unsure.
Only thing I could add is, for my concert, dress
anyway you feel comfortable--As long as it's not a hat that's so big that
it blocks the view of the poor unfortunate souls behind you ^_^
Miaomiao
When we go to concerts, we may go for many reasons,
but the most important reason is
to watch and listen to the performers.
The performers are NOT on television.
They are alive;
they can see and hear the audience;
they want to be able to do a great job for you.
Good concert etiquette helps the audience have
a good experience.
What some people fail to realize is that they
also help the performers perform better. With no visual or
auditory distractions,
performers can concentrate on giving a great
performance.
They are trying their best to present
an enjoyable musical experience
for everyone.
Arrival Time
Leave early and allow enough time for parking
and traffic. If you do arrive late, wait by the doors until the first piece
(not just a
movement) is finished, then discreetly take the
nearest seat available.
Talking
Talking should not be tolerated. It is not only
distracting to the performer, but to every person in the audience. It is
just plain
rude to talk (even whispering can be heard) during
a musical performance.
Other Noises
Avoid rustling your program, tapping your foot,
bouncing your legs, etc. Pagers and cell phones should be turned off. Watches
set to beep on the hour should also be turned
off. These high-pitched beeps are distracting to everyone.
Coughing
It is hard to avoid a spontaneous cough. Be prepared
with some type of cough drops or candies. Avoid cellophane wrappers.
Many come with a soft wax-paper wrapping that
will be much less noisy.
Taking Pictures
Refrain from taking any photographs during a performance.
The click of a camera and especially the flash are very distracting.
Pictures should be taken after the performance.
Children
Children need exposure to good music and live
performances, but young children may not be able to sit still long enough
for a
concert. Some children, like pagers, may 'go
off' unexpectedly. This is a difficult thing to ignore and is disruptive
to performers
and the audience. Take advantage of special children's
concerts and more casual concert settings (concerts in the park, Young
Audience concerts in the schools, etc.) to prepare
them for future concert attendance.
When To Applaud
Applause is always appreciated by performers,
but there are appropriate moments to applaud. in a multi-movement work,
applaud after all movements are completed. This
allows the continuity of the piece to flow from one movement to the next.
By following basic edicts of respect and consideration,
performers and the audience will have a more pleasurable and
meaningful experience as they perform and attend
live concerts. See you at the next concert!
-Laurel Ann Maurer
website by Martha B. Stanley,