There is a slew of concerts sponsored by the Music Department and student groups on campus coming up this semester. As a musician and frequenter of concerts myself, it has come to my attention that Kenyon is in need of a lesson in concert etiquette. If you find yourself unsure of what is socially acceptable at a concert, here are the breakdowns of the ‘do’s and ‘don’ts of attending a musical event (which are applicable to many other social events as well.)
Do arrive early. If for some reason you are arrive late, do not enter the music hall during the middle a song. Instead, wait until the time between a movement or song to enter. If you are arriving late, do not climb over laps in order to reach a prime seat by your friends. Do sit in the first available seats. Determine the difference between fashionably late and embarrassingly late. If the concert is almost over, save the rest of the crowd the distraction and don’t come.
If the concert you are attending is a classical concert, take a look at the program. It is important that you wait until the end of song to clap. Do not clap between movements. This can be very distracting to the musicians and to other audience members, and disrupts the flow of the composition. If you are unsure of when to applaud, do wait until a general consensus has been reached by the rest of the crowd. For classical performances, a general rule of thumb is to wait until the conductor lowers his arms and turns to face the crowd. Try to only clap. Classical concerts usually do not condone yelling and whistling.
Do turn off your cellphone. It can be embarrassing if your phone starts to ring during a performance. No one will appreciate your “Baby Got Back” ringtone, especially in the middle of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. In the same vein of thought, do not use flash photography. This is distracting for everyone.
Do wait until the intermission to leave for any reason other than an absolute emergency. Depending on the length of the concert, whatever you need to do will be able to wait until the end of the performance. Do use the bathroom before the concert, to prevent any bladder emergencies during the performance. If for whatever reason you have to leave before the intermission or end of the concert, do wait until the end of a song and quietly slip out.
If you have a friend performing, do not wave to them and try to grab their attention. You can congratulate them after their performance, there is typically a reception following most concerts sponsored by the Music Department here at Kenyon. If you came to see a friend, do not leave after their performance is over. Support the other groups performing.
In all cases, do not draw attention to yourself unnecessarily. Do not whisper or talk to your friends. The crowd is there to see the performer(s), not you. Do respect others. If you have a cold and need to cough often, do consider staying at home. It may not be worth it, and you may distract others If you have to sneeze, etc, try to do so into the crook of your arm to mute the sound.
Likewise, if you plan on bringing a younger sibling or niece/nephew to a musical event, determine if the event is age appropriate. If the child would not be able to sit politely through the program, do not subject others to temper tantrums and repeated kicks to the backs of their chairs.
In general, a little care and planning before attending a concert or other entertainment-based event can go a long way. Considering your etiquette can help promote a more positive and enjoyable concert experience for yourself and for others around you. Happy Concerting!