Symphony Savvy Concert Etiquette

Be a Concert Pro!

By following these simple guidelines, you show respect for the artists and help create a magical moment for everyone.

Enjoy the Music!

"Exactly! Arriving early means you can find your seat, get comfortable, and maybe even read the program. As for what to wear, many concerts are formal, but not all! Neat, comfortable clothes are usually fine. The most important thing is that you feel good and can sit comfortably for a while."

Slide 4: Silence is Golden

"Now, this is a big one: during the performance. The most important rule here is: Silence is Golden. What do you think I mean by that?"

(Allow for responses, focusing on avoiding noise.)

"That's right. During the music, it's really important to avoid talking or whispering. Even a tiny whisper can be heard by others. And your cell phones? Absolute silence! No ringing, no buzzing, and definitely no texting. The light from your screen is super distracting in a dark hall. You want to avoid any distractions, like rustling your program or unwrapping candy loudly."

Slide 5: When to Applaud?

"This is often the trickiest part: when do you applaud? Classical pieces often have sections called 'movements' that flow into each other. Traditionally, you wait until the very end of the entire piece to applaud. How can you tell when a piece is truly over?"

(Guide students to think about the conductor.)

"The conductor is your best clue! They will usually lower their hands completely, and sometimes even turn to face the audience. That's your signal. If it was an amazing performance, you might even get an 'encore'!"

Slide 6: Respecting the Space

"Finally, respecting the space. It's best to stay seated throughout the performance. If you absolutely must leave, try to do it quietly during an applause break or between entire pieces, not in the middle of a movement. The main idea is to be present and soak in the music."

10

Scenario Practice

"Alright, you've heard the rules. Now, let's see how you'd handle some real-life concert situations. Work with a partner to discuss what you would do in each situation. Be ready to share your answers!"

Scenario 1

"Your friend starts whispering loudly during a quiet part of the music. What's the best way to handle this without making a scene?"

(Guide: Gentle nudge or quiet reminder.)

Scenario 2

"Your phone starts ringing with your favorite ringtone! What do you do immediately, and how do you prevent it next time?"

(Guide: Silence immediately, airplane mode beforehand.)

Scenario 3

"The orchestra finishes an exciting part. You feel like clapping, but no one else is. What do you do?"

(Guide: Wait for the conductor's cue and observe others.)

5

Cool-Down: My Concert Promise

(Teacher displays or distributes Concert Etiquette Cool-Down)

"To wrap things up today, I want you to think about one key piece of concert etiquette you learned that you think is most important. On your cool-down slip, write down that rule and explain why it's important for enjoying a symphony concert."

"This will be your 'Concert Promise'. When you're done, you can hand them to me as you leave. Thank you for being such attentive learners today! I hope you all get a chance to experience a live symphony concert someday!"

End of Lesson Script