Hallsville R-IV Schools want to present the best, most professional setting during concerts for our performers and audience members. There are universally accepted do's and don'ts of which audience members should be aware when attending a musical performance. These include the following:
· When you enter the auditorium, be aware that you have entered a performance area, even if the performance has not yet begun. Proper decorum (soft talking with the person next to you, etc.) is expected. TURN OFF ALL PAGERS, CELL PHONES, ETC.!
· When the house lights dim, focus your attention on the stage and wait for what happens next. FROM THIS POINT ON, ANY TALKING ON YOUR PART WILL DISTRACT FROM THE PERFORMANCE TAKING PLACE ON STAGE.
· If someone other than the conductor walks on stage in front of the ensemble, they are making a formal entrance. You should applaud; if it is a member of the ensemble, it's probably the concertmaster, who will indicate to the ensemble members that they should check their final tuning and wait for the conductor to enter.
· When the conductor of the ensemble enters the stage, the ensemble usually stands to acknowledge the audience with the conductor. Although the conductor is the only one who bows, the mere fact that the ensemble stands while the conductor bows includes them in this acknowledgment.
· Unless you're re attending a jazz band performance, do not applaud during the middle of a selection, even if there is a pause during the performance for different movements of an entire work. On the other hand, if you're listening to a jazz band and someone "takes a solo", do show your approval of the individual's solo performance when they finish by applauding.
· Whistling, yelling, etc., are expected at athletic events, but are NOT appropriate in a concert setting. Applause is the appropriate response for a concert performance!
· If you enjoyed the concert, and you really want the performers and/or conductor(s) to know it, go "backstage" after the final program selection and tell them!
· If you have a small child with you in the audience, GREAT! But, if crying or "squirming" becomes a problem, be courteous to the other audience members and the performers on stage; quietly move to the foyer with your child and wait until there is a break in the performance (between selections, etc.) to return.
· NEVER enter or leave the auditorium when a performance is in progress!!! (Except for the "upset child" scenario mentioned above.) If you arrive late, you should wait until the first selection is over to be seated.
· Since you've read all of these suggestions, don't hesitate to "shush" someone (kindly please) if they are being annoying. On the other hand, don't be surprised if someone gives you the ol' eyeball if you're talking, etc. during a performance!