By Lynne Marie Judd
lynne@newsroom.byu.edu
BYU students are less knowledgeable about what to do during concerts than students at other universities, said David M. Randall, director of the BYU School of Music.
Students are more accustomed to hearing bands play in parks where they can talk and have fun and often do not shift gears when entering a concert hall, said Ben Sabey, 25, a senior from Littleton, Colo., majoring in music composition.
In a popular style concert talking, singing and clapping to the music may be appropriate but classical concerts are not the same, Randall said.
The concert experience will be enhanced if audience members follow a few simple rules, according to a handout from BYU dance department.
Applause
At a classical music or dance concert the audience should not clap until the end of the composition, Randall said.
Sometimes it is confusing when a composition has multiple movements. In this case the audience should follow the program and watch the conductor, Randall said.
Randall recommends watching someone who has had more concert experience.
'If in doubt, don't clap,' Randall said.
Talking
Talking during the show is a concern for audience members and performers.
'There should be no talking except between pieces,' Randall said.
Any kind of noise or whispering is disruptive to those trying to enjoy the performance, Sabey said.
Dress
Audiences attending ticketed events should dress in Sunday best, Randall said.
Dressing up 'gives the evening a special flavor and serves as a measure of respect to the performer,' according to the dance department handout.
Food
Eating should be limited to the foyer area, according to the dance department handout.
Candy wrappers should only be opened between pieces, Randall said.
Arrive on time
One of the biggest problems at BYU is people coming in late, Sabey said.
Audience members should arrive ten minutes before the performance is scheduled to begin, Randall said.
When attending an opera or ballet it is wise to arrive 20 minutes early to have time to read through the program notes before the performance starts, Randall said.
If people arrive after the show has started they should enter between movements or wait until the entire composition is finished, Randall said.
'Never enter in the middle of a piece,' Randall said.
At the end
Audience members should not leave in the middle of a piece, Sabey said.
Standing ovations are also a concern.
'We give standing ovations much too readily,' Randall said.
Standing ovations should be reserved for 'goosebump moments' when the entire audience stands almost in unison, Randall said.
Following concert etiquette shows appreciation for the performers, Sabey said.
If people understood the hours performers put in and the dedication it takes they would be more respectful, Sabey said.