Title: Concert Etiquette

Concert Etiquette

Concerts are the culmination of hundreds of hours of diligent work from students.  It is our goal to make our concerts professional and of the highest caliber.  The audience plays a significant role in the success of our concerts.  As the students prepare for their performance, so should the audience.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation with setting a good example for other audience members.

Our concerts are "formal" in nature, and therefore it is important for those attending to dress nicely.  When choruses perform at Carnegie Hall, everyone in the audience is dressed in their best.  The same thing should hold true with our concerts at Lake Brantley High School or any other venue.  This helps create an atmosphere that these concerts are something special.

Our concerts are frequently recorded, and therefore the following expectations of general concert etiquette are requested:

1. No cell phones, handheld computers, or beepers.  Since music is the art of sound, it is imperative that the auditorium is perfectly silent in order to hear all the beautiful sounds from the students.  Even when silent, the bright screens are distracting to audience members around you.
2. No flash photography.  This is distracting and disruptive to the performers.
3. No talking during performances.  Voices are easily picked up by professional microphones during recording.  Be courteous to the performers and to those seated around you.
4. No yelling or screaming your student's name.  Younger children may be inclined to try to get the attention of older siblings.  This is a serious concert, and not a sporting event.

Babies or young children will probably NOT enjoy our concerts.  Performances last about an hour and a half to two hours in length.  This is a long time for little ones to sit still or remain quiet.  For the enjoyment of those in the audience, and to insure that taped performances pick up only the sound of music, please IMMEDIATELY take restless or crying children from the auditorium.

Late Arrivals- If you arrive late for a concert, you will not be admitted into the auditorium until there is applause.  Please be respectful of the ushers about this point and do not argue.  In any professional theater you will find the same standards.  If you must leave the concert for any reason, you will not be admitted until there is a moment of applause.  Again, please be respectful of the ushers.  The sound of doors opening and closing is distracting to both the performers and the audience.

When am I supposed to applaud?  Watch the conductor for cues.  It is appropriate to applaud when the conductor enters the stage, when the choir enters the stage, or when the choir is seen for the first time.  When a selection is concluded, always wait until the conductor's arms are down before applauding.  If we perform a major work or a sectionalized piece, wait until all movements are complete before applauding.