Concert Etiquette

Concert Etiquette

While performers do appreciate that you have attended their concerts and hope that you enjoy the performance. Your enjoyment of the performance as well as others is directly impacted by each audience members concert etiquette or behavior.

This was especially highlighted to me last night as I attended the California Band Directors Association All-State Band Junior High Concerts in Fresno. Sitting in the row in front of me was a family with a young child about 3 years old. This child talk, wiggled in his seat, clapped his hands during performances, and tried handing me his gum for than once. It was such a distraction that in between songs during the second bands performance my friend and I got up out of our seats and moved to different seats.

So I would like to list a few basic guidelines for good concert etiquette;

1. Arrive on Time

• If you arrive late please enter quietly between selections from the rear of the hall

2. Turn off Cell Phone and Pagers

3. Small Children

• Small children and infants, especially, have a difficult time sitting quietly in formal concerts. It is probably best to leave them at home.
• If you MUST bring a small child or infant, please sit at the rear of the hall so that a quick, easy and discreet exit may be made if/when necessary. and discreet exit may be made if/when necessary.

4. Do Not Exit the Concert Until Intermission Unless there is an Emergency

5. Applause

• Hold applause until the end of multi-movement works
• This is a concert not a sport event no yelling, whistle or loud cheering save that for the sport arena.