In the entry below, you’ll find that Dear Husband and I attended a recent concert by Itzhak Perlman, and were surprised by some of the audience behavior. I was talking about this experience with the Red Hat Ladies at lunch today, and discovered that behavior at a classical concert is not universally known.
\nWhen I described the faux pas of applause following the first movement, one of the ladies asked if the custom of waiting until the end of the piece was posted in the program. I don’t know. Because of my background, I’ve just assumed that everyone knew that tradition. Posting the guidelines in the program is not a bad idea!
\nOn WGN720 this morning, John Williams was talking with his audience about the same subject. A grade school band director called in to say that not only did they need to teach their students about proper concert behavior, they also needed to teach the audience. Society has become SO casual, that we all act as though we are at home in front of our own TV and can do whatever we please, when there are actually guidelines for concert goers.
\nI tried to think what I would tell a first-time concert goer. I suppose the most important thing is that you don’t do anything which would either distract the performer, or bother the audience around you.
\n1. Specifically, NO TALKING (OR SINGING) during the performance.
\n2. Turn off your cell phone, or turn it to “vibrate” for the duration of the concert. (Personally, I’d make you turn it in at the door!).
\n3. Remain seated, unless you are deathly ill. DO NOT walk up the aisle during the performance.
\n4. Be in your seat BEFORE the performance begins, or be prepared to have to wait to be seated between the selections, or at intermission.
\n5. At a concert of “classical” music, wait to applaud until the entire piece is finished. The program will list how many movements there are to a piece. If you’re not sure that the piece is over, let the rest of the audience or the actions of the performer(s) guide you.
\nPerhaps there are other suggestions that I could make, but these seem to be the most basic. Having courtesy and consideration for the performer and for the audience just about covers it all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the entry below, you’ll find that Dear Husband and I attended a recent concert by Itzhak Perlman, and were surprised by some of the audience behavior. I was talking about this experience with the Red Hat Ladies at lunch … Continue reading