Concert Etiquette

In order to enhance our students’ education in Fine Arts, we teach both performance skills and audience etiquette. Proper audience etiquette shows respect for the talents of the composers, the performers, and for the others in the audience. Unfortunately, young people in today’s society are seldom exposed to formal concert situations and may be unfamiliar with audience etiquette.

We would like to explain some points of this etiquette to you this evening. By following these guidelines, each of us can contribute to an enjoyable and successful evening for everyone.

All electronic devices should be turned off before entering the performance hall.

All patrons in the audience should be seated before the performance begins if at all possible. Please avoid entering or leaving the room during the performance. If it does become necessary, please move only between musical selections.

Talking, whispering, and movement should be avoided during the performance so that performers will not be distracted and those seated around you can enjoy the performance to the fullest.

We love children and are pleased when families attend our concerts together. However, if small children become fussy or loud, they should be removed from the performance area as quickly and quietly as possible to avoid disrupting the performance. We would also ask that children not be allowed to stand on the seats.

Attention should be directed to the performers during the performance.

Applause is welcomed and appreciated. Whistling and cheering are not appropriate in a formal concert setting.