Going to Your First Concert & Concert Etiquette

Attending your first concert of classical music can be daunting! Here's a quick guide to help you navigate your first experience and avoid the pitfalls that come with this sometimes peculiar world.

Introduction - 0:00
Make Preparations - 1:37
Talking - 2:50
Cell phones - 3:15
Attire - 4:20
Clapping - 5:04
Bonus! Standing ovations - 6:31
Review - 7:06

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About me: I am a conductor, published composer, professional singer, sound engineer, and producer based in Los Angeles. I love classical music and want to help as many people as possible learn more about it.

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Disclaimer: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission.

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[bootarotc]

Can I bring binoculars and spy on the solo pianist's hands lmao or will I look like a weirdo

[ZuluZoro]

I think this is a really useful video as someone who is preparing for his first concert visit. Thank you immensely.

[dalanguthrie]

I desperately need to show this to my school kids!

[danawinsor]

This episode explains modern concert etiquette perfectly! We've all heard the poor soul who starts to clap after a first movement only to abruptly stop when no one else does. Also, when the audience stands during the final ovation most people tend to do likewise whether or not they enjoyed the performance (it's lonely being the only person still sitting).

Regarding "encores, " the first-time concert goer might be confused when a piece is played after the last piece on the program. "Encore" originally meant to "play it again" following a movement of a symphony or sonata, or following an operatic aria. Once Beethoven was furious to find out that every piece on a chamber-music program was "encored" except one, the "Grosse Fuge" (Great Fugue). Beethoven had some choice words for that audience!

[fyvewytches]

I believe they call all of this “common sense”… but that may not be so common as the mane implies. I can’t believe you made a chart for the moment to clap! 😂

[jessicanicoleferr]

so so SO very excited to go to my first classical concert for my 18th bday! was thinking of bringing my friends but they do not stop talking and they def would not do well in these settings. i do not trust them to be in this kind of setting LOL😭

[wanemy]

its my first time attending consert soon. thank you so much for sharing!

[IkanGelamaKuning]

I work in Oil & Gas industry. I will treat this the same as the Safety Video.

[IsleGallagherSRQHairBradenton]

This was very helpful! Thank you! I will be enjoying Yo-Yo Ma tonight in Sarasota, FL. Not too shabby for my first 😊

[wbiro]

Current etiquette would be horrified at the audiences during the actual Classical era. They talked, applauded after each movement, and made their enjoyment (or lack thereof) heard. Performers (and composers) had to work hard for their attention (and respect).

[garyreid]

I remember playing saxophone at a church Christmas concert. When it was my turn to play, I gave a brief speech about the theme of my performance. I then asked the audience to hold their applause until the end of the performance. The audience didn’t understand the request and applauded anyway. After the concert I did an “Elvis has left the building.” I had to go to work the next morning.

[playwithwania]

I watched this at school and now all my band can think about is please clap and let it ring...
Like the phone rang after we watched this and literally everyone was like
Let it ring....

[Chanchito-tour]

Thank you so much for this video, when I first got with my girlfriend, I promised her I'd figure out how to plan and set up a date for an orchestrated concert for us to experience (mainly for her) because she loves this stuff and this video relieved me with the useful info it held, so thank you again, going to one exactly on her birthday so I'm really excited and even tho I of course had to tell her about the etiquette and attire, she has most likely figured it out but doesn't know for sure so I can't wait til the surprise is revealed😆

[cynthianielsen]

I have mixed feelings about being taken to classical concerts before age 8. It was a long time to sit, and I don't think I really appreciated some performances, but my mother knew I would always behave well.

[巧克力汤圆粉]

Thank you so much for this video! I feel like I need another video of what to talk about to your fellow attendees or the instrumentalist!

[saraivilla]

Not my first time, but always helpful to be reminded.
Today Houston Symphony.
Thank you!

[hannahchristinah]

Can I give a figurative standing ovation for your comment on standing ovations?

[pineapplezach]

You wouldn’t dare put ketchup on a classic painting 😂 fast forward to 2022

[god]

thank you so much for this!. I'm going to wear a all blk fitted suit. I'm going to my second symphony for my birthday next week!

[raphaelhorowitz]

You just spoke about clapping your hands at the end of a piece of music. Well well well there was in Europe in the beginning opera house or any performance, a group of people which were called the clutch or the club in English and they started to clap their hands when it was appropriate and the rest of the audience did the same in the right time the clutch was famous they got paid for it very little but they did it and this was really something it was mainly in Europe like in Germany And son enjoy