Welcome!
Your entry into the awesome world of live performance is a time to set aside your earphones and electronic gadgets to enjoy live artists in real time. How exciting it is to watch and hear a live-on-stage show that will never be exactly the same again!
—— How Can You Prepare? ——
Turn off all electronics that you have with you. Be certain that nothing of yours will makes noise during the concert. Double check your cell phones to see that all sounds are disabled.
Find the locations of the bathroom and water fountains right away. Once the concert has begun, you should stay seated and not leave the hall. Moving about and leaving is disruptive.
Read publicity about the performance and interesting information in the provided program before the concert begins. Read about the performers, who they are, where they come from. Notice also the names of composers, when and where they lived. Knowing a little about the artists, composers, the music and its history will help you enjoy the show more. You may also glance at the program again between pieces and at intermission, a break in the concert for both artists and audience.
If you are attending an evening concert, you may want to “dress up” a bit. Please do not wear any noisy watches or jangling jewelry. Keep perfume and shaving lotion to a minimum. Most seating in concert halls is close, and many people have asthma or allergies which can cause them great distress if they are in contact with strong scents.
—— What is Expected of You? ——
Always be polite and respect others, including the artists and the audience. You are there to hear and see a great show. Save your talking for the intermission.
If you need to take a seat in the middle of the row, be very careful crossing in front of people. Face the people of the row as you pass so that your backside is not all that is facing them. It helps to smile! You must be careful not to step on toes, purses, or anything else that is on the floor between the rows.
If you have an emergency situation and must leave, do so quietly. Do not re-enter until the piece or song is over. It is less disruptive to enter during applause.
Most concert halls do not permit food or drink. This is for the sake of the people around you as well as for maintenance of the facility.
If you have a scratchy throat and think that you might cough during the performance, take several cough drops out of their wrappers before the show begins. Those little papers make a surprising amount of noise that can annoy everyone around you. Place your cough drops in a zip-style plastic bag. Bring your tissues, too.
Each is unique, but there are some similarities in all fine-arts performances. For instance, many instrumental works have more than one movement or part. It is traditional to wait to applaud until all of the movements have been completed. This is also true of some vocal pieces which have several short songs as part of one larger work. If you are asked to participate, by all means, do. But save your whistling, finger snapping, hand clapping, and foot stomping for the rock concerts and ball games.
There may be an encore, an extra piece played for a very receptive audience. You do not want to rush for the doors and miss that. You may also have the opportunity to visit with the performers and collect some autographs.
Have fun! Each live-on-stage performance can be an exciting adventure.
—— After the Concert? ——
Share your feelings. Encourage others to attend performances of live artists in real time. Please let us know of your experience. Click on the "Concert Feedback" button.
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