Concert Etiquette for Adults

The Ten Rules of Concert Behavior (for Adults)

(courtesy of the National Association for Music Education (www. musicfriends.org)

1. Refrain from talking
This is the first and greatest rule. This includes whispering to or disciplining your other
children.

2. Refrain from unwrapping noisy candy wrappers during the performance
If the composer wanted to include crinkle paper noises to the music, he/she would have written it into the parts.

3. Turn off pagers, cell phones, and watch alarms
While many phones and pagers have very symphonic-like rings, they don’t always fit into the
musical score, or do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbors.

4. Do not wave to your child during the concert.
After all, they do know who you are already and they know you are there; you most likely brought them to the concert.

5. Do not take flash photography
You don’t want your child to fall from blindness, do you?

6. Please do not walk down to the front with your video camera
Video cameras work just as well from the back of the room.

7. Do not leave as soon as your child’s portion of the concert is over
All of the students deserve a full audience for their performances. Remember, the next time
your child’s song could be last!

8. Applaud at the appropriate times
Some music has several sections. Remember, it’s not over until all of the selections have been
performed.

9. Do not leave the room during the music
Wait for a break in the concert to visit the restroom, unless you carrying a screaming child, in which case you should leave quietly and quickly, PLEASE!!

10. Go to the concert expecting the best
You just might be surprised how good your student sounds when the other students join in!