The “rules of etiquette” for attending a formal orchestra or band concert have been in place for hundreds of years, and they exist to help make a performance (whether amateur or professional) as enjoyable and distraction-free as possible for both the audience and the performers. Keep these rules in mind to make your concert experience relaxing and satisfying.
Welcome the Conductor
When the musicians start taking their seats on stage, sometimes people will applaud, but it is not expected. The traditional time for the first applause is after the musicians sit down, when the conductor walks out. Whether or not you’ve seen his/her previous performances, clap anyway. It’s tradition.
Be Courteous
Probably the paramount rule to remember is: Please remain quiet during a piece. This is so your fellow concertgoers can enjoy the performance and the musicians can concentrate, without extraneous conversations, candy wrappers, watch alarms, or cell phone rings. Using a pre-concert announcement or a printed message in the program, most professional and community groups will ask audience members to finish any personal business before the show starts, and be prepared to leave quickly and quietly if something unavoidable comes up.
During one particular National Symphony Orchestra concert, Maestro Leonard Slatkin had turned to the orchestra and raised his arms to begin the next piece, but then halted as the entire hall suddenly filled with the chirping of a cell phone. Slatkin patiently lowered his hands, turned around, honed in on the perpetrator, and with the entire audience watching, calmly said something akin to “Go ahead and answer – we’ll wait.” About ten seconds later, he was able to start the piece.
Musicians understand that emergencies do arise, but it’s only fair that audience members do their part to minimize disruptions. This is why cell phones can be set to vibrate or turned off altogether.
Applaud Appropriately
Enthusiastic applause is the most wonderful non-musical sound performers can hear. It sends the message of appreciation, and it inspires the folks on stage to give their best for these adoring fans. There are a few different ways to show that you enjoyed the music; yet, there are also specific times when clapping or other sounds of approval are frowned upon.
Clapping in the middle of a piece, even after a particularly impressive solo, is a no-no unless you are in a relaxed atmosphere, such as when watching a rock group or jazz band. It sounds stuffy, but that’s the golden rule: hold your applause until the end.
Also, during a piece with multiple movements (or “sections,” usually listed in the program), please do not clap in between movements, as it is considered bad form. Quietly stretching, clearing the throat, or politely coughing are fine, but hold the rousing applause until the very end. It may go against natural human tendency, but you can take a cue from the conductor: If his/her arms are still up, the piece is not over. Wait until the hands are down, then clap.
Vocalization
Clapping is not the only way to show appreciation. For those who like to vocalize, you can go Italian and shout “Bravo!” (“Great”). If French is more your style, you can use the timeless “Encore!” (“Again”) to try to get the performers to put forth one final effort.
Of course, not everyone is quite that continental, so a more American “Yay!” will probably work, too. This depends on the performers and the venue, however. For instance, yelling “You guys ROCK!” after Beethoven’s 9th Symphony might have the rest of the audience thinking you’re some sort of reprobate.
Amateurs vs. Pros
If you’re thinking “It’s just my kid’s school orchestra,” or “It’s just the local band,” stop right there. Student and community groups—and their audiences—deserve just as much consideration as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Maybe the group you came to hear isn’t playing very complex music, or maybe their ensemble sound is not as refined as the professionals, but the people on that stage are working just as hard as any other performing group, all for your enjoyment. So show some respect to the musicians and the listeners, or you can leave.
Summary
To create a comfortable atmosphere while at a formal concert, please plan ahead and be mindful of your fellow audience members. Arrive early, pop that cough drop, take your hat off, and socialize before the lights dim, but then settle in and enjoy the musical sounds that pour forth from the stage. When appropriate, let the musicians know if you enjoyed their performance, and you will always be invited back.
To learn more, please visit the National Association of Music Education.