Spring Calendar - Concert Band
May:
  Sunday, 5/6, 7:30P.M., River Hill High School, Clarksville, MD

August:
  Sunday, 8/12, 6:30P.M., Lake Kittamaqundi Lakefront, Columbia, MD
  Sunday, 8/19, 6:00P.M., Lurman Amphitheatre, Catonsville, MD

Spring Calendar - Jazz Band
Watch this space.

We’ve all experienced, seen, or at least heard of certain rules for attending a formal orchestra or band concert. These “rules of etiquette” have been in place for many years and they exist to help make the performance as enjoyable as possible for both performers and audience. However, there are dozens of etiquette lists floating around out there, so instead of re-hashing what has already been written, let’s delve into a few of the more important edicts of concert attendance.

Probably the most paramount rule to remember is: Please remain quiet during a piece. Obviously, this should be done to allow your fellow concertgoers to enjoy the performance (and to allow the musicians to concentrate) without extraneous conversations, candy wrappers, baby outbursts, watch alarms, or cell phones. All professional performers and most community groups will make a pre-concert announcement by simply asking that you either finish your personal business before the show starts, or be prepared to leave quickly and quietly if something does come up. If you absolutely must get someone’s attention, lean over and whisper.

I was at an NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) concert where Maestro Leonard Slatkin had just finished explaining the background on the next piece. He turned to the orchestra, raised his arms, and then the entire hall filled with the chirping of a cell phone! Slatkin patiently put his hands down, honed in on the perpetrator, and after the second ring, calmly said something akin to “Go ahead and answer – we’ll wait.” About ten seconds later, he was able to start the piece. I silently applauded him for his actions. We musicians understand that emergencies do arise, but it’s only fair that audience members do their part to eliminate/minimize disruptions.

Applause is probably the most wonderful non-musical sound a performer can hear. It tells us that there’s an appreciative audience out there, and it spurs us on to give our best for our adoring fans. In fact, there are a few different ways to show us that you enjoyed the music. However, there are specific times when clapping or other sounds of approval are frowned upon.

Clapping in the middle of a piece, even after a particularly impressive solo, is a no-no unless you are watching a Dixieland combo or a swing band. It sounds stuffy, but that’s the golden rule: hold your applause until the end. Also, during a piece with multiple movements (sections), please do not clap in between movements, as it is considered bad form. Quietly stretching, clearing the throat, or politely coughing are fine, but please hold the rousing applause. It may go against natural human tendency, but you can take a cue from the conductor: If his/her arms are still raised, the piece is not over. Wait until the baton is down by his/her sides; then you may clap.

Speaking of which, clapping is not the only way to show appreciation. For those who like to vocalize, you can go Italian and shout, “Bravo!” (great). If French is more your style, you can use the timeless, “Encore!” (more) to try and get the performers to put forth one final effort. Of course, not everyone is quite that continental, so a more American “Yay!” might work, too. Of course, any level of suitable vocalization depends on the performers and the venue. (i.e. Yelling “You guys ROCK!” after Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Meyerhoff might have the rest of the audience thinking you’re some sort of reprobate.)

Appointees and Volunteers
Librarian - Marilyn Kelsey
Curator - Fred Shermer
Uniforms - Bill DeVuono
Webmaster - Suzanne Hassell
Columbia Jazz Band Director - Pete Barenbregge