Concert Etiquette and Concert Sight Reading

Q. IS GOOD CONCERT ETIQUETTE APPROPRIATE FOR BAND CONCERTS?	A. YES! We are all very proud of the student's accomplishments and want to show them how much we appreciate their musical efforts. These young musicians have worked very hard to prepare for their concerts and deserve an audience that respects their work.
Q. WHAT DOES "GOOD CONCERT ETIQUETTE" MEAN?	A. Unlike television viewing, live performers are aware of your presence and actions. Please refrain from talking, waving, or yelling out during the concert. After the songs, please encourage the performers with your smiles and applause. If you are very moved by the performance, then stand or applaud louder. Do not yell at the performers on stage. It may seem supportive, but you are really just calling attention to yourself and distracting the performers. Please do not leave the concert simply because the young musician you came to see has finished performing. One of the greatest hardships associated with the performing arts is to perform to little or no audience. Even worse is to know that there was a large audience before it was your turn to perform, but they went home. This sends a message that people don't care about what the performers have to offer and that all of their hard work was for nothing.
Q. WHAT IF I HAVE TO LEAVE DURING A CONCERT?	A. First, ask yourself if you really have to leave. The young musician you came to support will notice. However, there are reasons why one might arrive late or leave early. If you must enter or exit, please do not move around the auditorium during the concert performance. The concert is divided into two halves, and intermission is the most appropriate time to move around. If you absolutely must enter or exit during the concert, do so in-between songs.
Q. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SIGHT-READING DURING A CONCERT?	A. From time to time, our bands attend festivals and workshops where we are judged in part for our ability to play a song we have never seen. In demonstrating this ability during a concert, it gives the performers a chance to practice their "on-the-spot" reading in front of an audience.