With summer fast approaching, many studios are gearing up for end-of-year recitals. An important aspect of a successful piano recital is observance of proper recital etiquette. Below are the top ten rules that audience members must observe when attending a recital.
The audience:
(1) Be on time or a little early. When audience members arrive on time, it provides the best opportunity for the performance to start on time. Arriving a few minutes early will also give you time to get on a schedule and sit down. In fact, those who arrive early generally get the best option when it comes to seating.
(2) Limit perfumes or colognes. While perfumes, colognes and scented body lotions smell good, in a recital / concert setting it is NOT considered appropriate to use strong scents. Many people have allergies to perfumes. Therefore, out of respect for other members of the audience, it is considered proper etiquette to limit or refrain from applying scented items to your body or clothing.
(3) Sit quietly and listen to the performances.. The role of the audience is to provide adequate support and encouragement to the performer and to enjoy the performance. As such, audience members are expected to follow a few basic rules:
* Do not speak, whisper loudly or hum during a performance. Also, noisy candy wrappers or cough drops should be avoided. This can be very distracting to the interpreter and can (especially in young students) cause problems in interpreting. It is also quite distracting to audience members.
* Remain seated during the performance (without wiggling or walking), and only leave between pieces if absolutely necessary.
* No gum. Knocking and chewing noises can be distracting to other audience members. And, gum dropped at a concert venue can create a “sticky” mess. Instead, it is best to use (silent) breath mints.
* Whistling, shouting or other loud congratulatory methods should not be used, especially before the performance. If a performer is focused and ready to play, but is distracted by “cat screams” and “screams”, this can really disrupt their performance. While boisterous congratulations are meant to show support for the artist, they can actually cause unwanted problems. The best way to show appreciation for acting is with thunderous applause and an occasional “bravo” at the end of an especially good performance.
(4) Go to the bathroom BEFORE HAND. If it is absolutely necessary to leave the room during the recital, it should be done silently and between pieces and not in the middle of a piece.
(5) No flash photography. If photographs or videos are allowed at the recital, it is best to stand in the back and be as discreet or noisy as possible. And the cameras must have the flash off. Random and / or unexpected flashes from cameras (along with clicking noises) can really distract the artist.
(6) Turn off your cell phone or other electronic devices. It is quite obvious that the ringing and beeping of the phone is very distracting to the performer and the audience alike. Text messages and conversations need to be saved for after the recital is over.
(7) Wait for the whole recital. Leaving early is not considered proper etiquette. All the artists have worked hard to prepare for the event and they all deserve the same respect and courtesy (ie a full recital hall).
(8) Clap appropriately. In addition to providing applause for congratulations, it is also important to remember to clap only at appropriate times. For example, a multi-move piece should only receive applause when all the moves have been executed. Also, in piano recitals it is NOT considered appropriate to clap after an especially brilliant passage has been played. Instead, applause is reserved for after the performance ends (or when the artist first enters the stage).
(9) Dress appropriately. Unless otherwise stated in the invitation, the general rule of thumb about recital attraction is clean, free of holes or tears, and dressier than a tank top or casual t-shirt or other overly casual clothing (such as short denim skirts or shorts). ). A good practice is to dress as if you were going to church or to an interview.
(10) The most important thing of all is to enjoy the music.. Creating an environment that allows all members of the audience to hear the performances without hindrance will result in an enjoyable and valuable experience for everyone involved. After all, music is fun! It must be enjoyed.
There are many benefits to learning, teaching, and applying proper recital etiquette. Recital etiquette is an important social skill that audience members should know and practice.