A little lesson on concert etiquette!

Something has become painfully apparent to me as I have gone to four concerts in the last three days. Americans are stupid when it comes to concert etiquette at classical music events. So, here are some helpful tips for all of you that lack the understanding of how a person should act at a concert (or know people that do):

1. Please try to arrive early to read over the concert notes and to socialize. Talking during a piece is just plain rude.

2. If you don't arrive on time (which happens, I'm a late person sometimes too!), PLEASE wait until there is applause to enter. DO NOT ENTER DURING A SONG.

3. Turn off your cell phone. That does not mean put it on vibrate. Nothing is worse than a ringing sound during a song...nothing except hearing ::bbbuuuuzzz...bbbuuuuzzzz::.

4. Have darling little dears with you? Please make sure that if they get loud at any time, quickly and quietly take them out into the hall. It will only embarrass you and NO ONE (especially the performer[s]) will be able to concentrate on the music. May a suggest sitting in a place where you can make a quick exit? Like an aisle seat???

5. Okay, things happen that make you need to leave during a performance. Perhaps you have diarrhea? Or you just got your period? If you can, try to wait in between pieces. Not possible? Be as quiet as possible and when you enter, do it during applause (See #2).

6. This is not a dance club or a bar. Talking is a HUGE no-no. If you want to share something with your buddy, do it during applause (have you seen a trend?).

7. When a group of songs is pair together there is no spaces in between like this:

Der Mond __________________Felix Mendelssohn
Neue Liebe
Der Nonne _________________ Fanny Mendelssohn

Refrain from clapping until the set it done. With a choir, watch the conductor. As soon as his or her hands drop, it is time to applaud!

8. Speaking of applause..please do! Also, when the performers enter/exit it is polite to clap until the last person enters or leaves the stage. And, of course, when the conductor enters and exits.

I hope you found this helpful. Any suggestions for other things to add to the list? Ah, it feels good to get that out!