Concert Etiquette

Katelyn Martinez
Nov 5, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Dec 8, 2023

If you love classical music, you would likely love the opportunity to attend a concert! However, you may be wondering what to expect and prepare for. All of your questions will hopefully be answered, so you know what to do and not do at a concert!

Want to learn even more? Here are some of the resources I used if you would like to read more about concert etiquette!

What Do I Wear?

If you have never been to a concert before, you may be struggling with deciding what to wear. There are many differing opinions on concert-wear, as some may attend in jeans and a T-shirt while others may be in elegant evening gowns and tuxedoes. The majority of people at concerts will likely be dressed up, so I would not recommend wearing your favorite hoodie and sweatpants. If you are able to dress up in a formal gown or tuxedo, go for it! It is so fun to dress up!

If you do not own a tuxedo or a gown, that is perfectly fine. I would recommend dressing up in some way, however, whether that be a collared button-down shirt with a pair of dress pants or a nice dress. Avoid dressing too casually and aim for dressing in either business casual or semi-formal. Wear what you will feel comfortable in, because you will be sitting for a long period of time.

When Do I Clap?

First-time concert goers, pay attention! This is a very important part of a concert, and you do not want to be the one clapping at the wrong time! At many of the concerts and classical music recitals I have been to, there is often someone that claps in between movements or at a long pause in the music.

Most orchestral pieces, concertos, suites, and other forms of classical music have multiple movements. These movements often all have a different theme or mood and make up the piece as a whole. Most pieces have about three to four movements, but there are some exceptions. If the concert you are going to has a program that they give to the audience, take one! Not only do they serve as a special keepsake from the concert, but they also often contain information about the musicians, the order of the music, and sometimes the number of movements the piece has. This is important because you do not want to clap in between movements, but rather at the end of the piece.

One of the easiest ways to know if the piece is over is to watch the conductor. Once he cuts off the orchestra, puts his arms down, and turns and faces the audience, the piece is over! If it is a soloist, especially a pianist, wait until they completely take their hands off of the keys and place them in their lap. Other instrumentalists will often put their instrument down completely, but not everyone is the same.

Some pieces have a fun melody, beat, or tempo that is easy to clap along with. Do not clap along! I know it is tempting, but it can oftentimes be considered rude. When people start clapping during a performance, it covers the music that the musicians worked so hard to prepare and disrespects their hard work and practice.

If you still find yourself clapping at the wrong time, it's OK! It happens to all of us. Just remember, if you are unsure of when to clap, keep a close eye on the performers, and if all else fails, wait for the rest of the audience to start clapping.

How Should I Act?

Just like going to any other performance, you want to be respectful to both the musicians and other audience members. Arrive early so you will be able to find your seat, use the restroom before the performance begins, and stay until the end of the performance. If you do arrive late, need to leave early, or leave the concert hall for any reason, try to do so in between pieces or movements so you are not blocking others' view of the performance.

Most concerts will have a specified intermission, where you can stretch your legs, use the restroom, or talk to your neighbor about your favorite part of the performance. Feel free to use this time to move around, but still be respectful to those around you.

Another way to be respectful is to keep noises to a minimum. Concert halls are specifically designed to amplify and carry sound, so any loud noises you make will be heard. So, silence you cell phone, unwrap your mint or cough drop, and get comfortable in your seat before the concert starts. Try not to talk during the performance and if you do need to for some reason, whisper.

Do not eat during the concert! It is distracting to those around you and is disrespectful to those performing. Also, try to stay off of your phone, because once the lights are dimmed, your phone screen can give off quite a bit of light! Feel free to take a quick picture before or after the concert, but not during. Recording may be prohibited by the venue, and it is also distracting to others in the audience, so avoid videoing the concert. Staying off your phone will also help you listen more attentively to the music and enjoy the performance even more!

I hope that these tips were helpful, and that you are now prepared for what your first classical concert! Let me know if you have any more questions about concert etiquette by commenting below!

Thank you so much for reading this blog post! Did you learn something new? What aspect of classical music should I talk about next? Comment below!

Subscribe so you never miss a post! - SUBSCRIBE

Check out the podcast! - PODCAST

Want to learn even more? Here are some of the resources I used if you would like to read more about concert etiquette!