AUDIENCE MEMBERS

Audience members should recognize that performers are trying their best to present an enjoyable musical experience for everyone. To do this, performers must focus on many details. The performer's intense concentration can be interrupted by little things that may seem trivial to audience members. The following suggestions can help audience members show respect to performers, the other audience members and help performers do their best.

Arrival Time
Leave early and allow enough time for parking and traffic. If you do arrive late, wait by the doors until the first piece (not just a movement) is finished, then discreetly take the nearest seat available.

Talking
Talking should not be tolerated. It is not only distracting to the performer, but to every person in the audience. It is just plain rude to talk (even whispering can be heard) during a musical performance.

Other Noises
Avoid rustling your program, tapping your foot, bouncing your legs, etc. Pagers and cell phones should be turned off. Watches set to beep on the hour should also be turned off. These high-pitched beeps are distracting to everyone.

Coughing
It is hard to avoid a spontaneous cough. Be prepared with some type of cough drops or candies. Avoid cellophane wrappers. Many come with a soft wax-paper wrapping that will be much less noisy.

Taking Pictures
Refrain from taking any photographs during a performance. The click of a camera and especially the flash are very distracting. Pictures should be taken after the performance.

Children
Children need exposure to good music and live performances, but young children may not be able to sit still long enough for a concert. Some children, like pagers, may 'go off' unexpectedly. This is a difficult thing to ignore and is disruptive to performers and the audience. Take advantage of special children's concerts and more casual concert settings (concerts in the park, Young Audience concerts in the schools, etc.) to prepare them for future concert attendance.

When To Applaud
Applause is always appreciated by performers, but there are appropriate moments to applaud. in a multi-movement work, applaud after all movements are completed. This allows the continuity of the piece to flow from one movement to the next.

By following basic edicts of respect and consideration, performers and the audience will have a more pleasurable and meaningful experience as they perform and attend live concerts. See you at the next concert!

-Laurel Ann Maurer