Part of one’s agreement as an audience member is to take seriously the listening and visual pleasure of others, a responsibility fulfilled by quietly attentive (or silently inattentive) and self-restrained behavior.  You can be as demonstrative as you like during the bows and curtain calls (less the whistling and yelling).

1.  REFRAIN FROM TALKING

This is a first and greatest rule.  This includes do not hum, or sing along, or beat time with a body part.  This rule includes whispering to or disciplining your children.

2.  REFRAIN FROM UNWRAPPING NOISY CANDY WRAPPERS during the performance

Please wait for a pause or intermission before rifling through a purse, backpack, or shopping bags.

3.  TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES, BEEPERS, PAGERS AND SIGNAL WATCHES

While many phones and pagers now have very symphonic-like rings, they don’t always fit into the musical score, nor do they provide pleasant sounds for your neighbors.

4.  DO NOT WAVE TO YOUR CHILD during the performance

They know who you are and they know you are there.  If you bring a child, make sure etiquette is part of the experience.  Children love learning new things.

5.  DO NOT TAKE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY during the performance

You don’t want your child to walk off the edge of the stage from the flash blindness.  The only small dots the musician should see are musical notations.  Please do not walk down the aisle with your video camera.  Video cameras work just as well from the back of the auditorium.

6.  NOTE TO LOVEBIRDS

When you lean your heads together, you block the view of the person behind you.  Take it easy with the atomizer; many people are highly allergic to perfume or cologne.

7.  DO NOT LEAVE AS SOON AS YOUR CHILD’S PORTION OF THE CONCERT IS OVER

All of the students deserve a full audience for their performances.  Remember, the next time your child’s song could be last!  Leaving while the show is in progress is discourteous.

8.  APPLAUD AT APPROPRIATE TIMES

Some musical compositions have several sections.  It’s not all over until all of the sections have been performed.

9.  DO NOT LEAVE THE AUDITORIUM DURING THE PERFORMANCE

Wait for a break in the concert to visit the restroom, unless you are carrying a screaming child, in which case you should leave quietly and quickly, PLEASE !

10.  GO TO THE CONCERT EXPECTING THE BEST

You just might be surprised how good your child sounds when the other students join in.  The old standby:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

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Copyright © 2006 The Stone Middle School

Revised 26 May 2007

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