Concert Etiquette, On and Off the Stage

As students prepare for their school concerts and private recitals, it is important to be reminded of appropriate concert behavior. Follow these basic points to add an element of sophistication to your or the artist you are listening to’s performance.

1. Bow before and after your performance: Many people neglect to bow before a performance. Although this can be omitted, it’s always nice to greet your audience. Make sure, however, that you do bow after you are finished performing. This is the performers way of saying “thank you for listening”.

2. Don’t wave or say hello to audience members: This really applies to performing ensembles. A group that performs well also looks and does the same things together well and waving can be distracting to the players around you. For soloists, searching for your family members can also be distracting and nerve wracking. If you cannot find them in the dark crowd of people, you might start to get nervous and worried. It is best to play your pieces and greet your family after.

3. Wear proper concert attire: For performers, this is essential. Unless it’s a very informal concert, performers should wear dress shoes. The rest of the attire is on a case-by-case basis, but you can never go wrong with a suit, or black shirt and black pants/skirt. Audience members: in today’s culture it is typically acceptable to dress casually or informally. Dressing nicely, however, is a sign of respect towards the music and the performer.

4. Don’t chew gum!: For performers, chewing gum looks unprofessional on stage, and is distracting to hear when an audience member is doing it loudly (or blowing bubbles!).

5. Turn off your phone: Despite multiple messages to audience members somehow there will be one or two people with a phone ringing during the concert. This can be very distracting to the performer and could cause them to make a mistake on stage. Double or even triple check to make sure your phone is off. (Even when set to vibrate, your phone makes noise.)

6. Don’t clap in between movements: Movements are like a chapter of a book; when one chapter is over, you go to the next one with minimal pause. The program will usually indicate movements, and/or when to applause.

7. Be on time: Whether performing or listening in the audience it is important to be on time. Lateness promotes distraction.