Concert Etiquette

by Tyler Urich

January 17, 2009

Does concert etiquette have you scratching your head? Do you have a hard time knowing when to clap at a fine arts event? Here are a few performance etiquette tips:

Please refrain from talking during the performance.

While you may only be whispering, it does create a distraction for those around you
This also includes whispering to or disciplining your other children

Please turn off/silence all pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms

These can be very distracting to the performers and others in the audience

Do not wave to your child/friend during the performance

This creates a distraction for the performer and other in the audience

Refrain from using flash photography during the performance

Flash photography is a distraction and creates a dangerous atmosphere for the performers

Applaud at appropriate times

Formal Concert - at the end of each selection not after each movement and not until the director puts his/her arms down
Jazz Concert - at the end of each selection or to recognize the efforts of a soloist
Theatre Production - after each act/scene

Do not leave as soon as your child' portion of the program is over

All students deserve a full audience for their performances
Remember that the next time, your child's performance may be last
In a contest/festival environment, it is appropriate to leave once the door has been opened

Do not leave while the performance is in progress