Feature Story: “Debunking the Classical Concert Experience” with Norman

Debunking the Classical Concert Experience with Norman

If you ask the average person what they think about classical music, chances are they will tell you it’s stuffy or pompous or “not their thing.” There are many stereotypes and negative assumptions associated with classical music: you have to know a lot about music to enjoy it; it’s boring; classical music is “better” or “more important” than popular music; only old people listen to it; you have to dress up to attend concerts; all conductors are monstrously egotistical and rule their orchestras with an iron rod; and even that it’s “dead white man” music, because so much programming for classical concerts features works by, well, dead white men.

In fact, classical music is none of these things, and Music Director Norman Huynh is part of a younger generation of conductors who are working hard to change these outof-date perceptions. “Nine out of ten concertgoers who go to a performance for the first time don’t come back because we don’t make it welcoming for them, or they feel intimidated,” Huynh explains. “I think it’s important to make this experience as accessible and fun as possible, and I want to make the concert experience in Bozeman entertaining and exciting.”

Huynh is unusual among conductors in that he did not grow up immersed in classical music, nor did he play a violin or piano as a child. His first musical experiences were in his high school and college marching bands, where he played euphonium, which looks like a small tuba and plays in a tenor range. “I was a band geek,” Huynh acknowledges. “I came to classical music as entertainment, and I also understand the mindset of people who aren’t familiar with this music, like my parents or my fiancé and her friends. When they come to the concert hall, I want to hear what they have to say.”

Huynh has plenty of ideas for engaging classical neophytes, like programming music that isn’t “purely” classical: movie scores, or crossover concerts that bring together pop musicians singing their music in orchestral arrangements. Pops concerts are also a good entry point, as they present familiar music in symphonic settings. “My mom loves John Williams’ music,” says Huynh.

Concert program books provide opportunities to learn more about the music. “Our program books have a timeline graph, which puts the music in a historical context,” Huynh explains. “We also provide a glossary of common musical terms. No one should feel lost.” At intermission and before concerts, the Bozeman Symphony presents slideshows featuring mini-trivia quizzes with questions like “How many symphonies did Beethoven write?” “These kinds of small changes can make a huge difference in the audience’s experience,” says Huynh. “If people have a bit of foreknowledge, it makes their listening experience better.”

Huynh always talks to the audience before a concert, a practice that is becoming more common in orchestras around the country. “I think taking time before the concert starts, giving insight into what the experience is going to be, is really important. If there’s a living composer present, I invite them to comment on their work and talk about what to listen for. I welcome people, express gratitude, guide them to the program notes, and give them a sense of what’s going to happen.” When he programs a concert, Huynh tries to include at least one work that is familiar to most people, and juxtaposes it with newer or less wellknown works.

Huynh also supports people who clap during the concert, even before a piece is over. “It’s unique in Bozeman,” he says. “If I hear people applauding, I usually turn around and give a thumbs up. That immediately puts people at ease and allays anxiety or shyness or feeling embarrassed. When I’m curating the concert experience, one thing that’s always front of mind is the new concertgoer, or someone who’s never heard an orchestra concert before.”

Classical Concert FAQs and Basic Etiquette

Many people new to classical music are unsure or even intimidated about when to clap while listening to a multi-movement work, like a Beethoven symphony. The unwritten “rules” about clapping have changed over time. In Beethoven’s era (late 18th century to early 19th century), audiences often clapped in between movements if they particularly liked what they heard. For example, when Beethoven premiered his Symphony No. 7 in 1813, the audience demanded an immediate encore of the second movement. From the mid-19th century through the 20th, the convention of remaining silent until the end of the entire work became the norm. Today, more conductors and ensembles are encouraging people to clap when they feel moved to do so, although some audience members may prefer to remain silent until the end.

However, sometimes the pause between movements is an important component of the music and should not be interrupted; in those instances, the conductor will often keep their arms raised before continuing. You can’t go

wrong with this basic rule of thumb: clap when the conductor lowers their arms.

Clothes. Wear clothes. If you check out any given audience’s sartorial splendor, you will probably see everything from jeans and cowboy boots to traditional evening attire. Many people enjoy dressing up for concerts, but others prefer a more casual look. If the concert is outdoors, take weather and temperature into account, and as a matter of courtesy, don’t wear a large hat that will obstruct the view of people sitting behind you. In general, when it comes to clothes, wear what you like.

Arrive early so you can find your seat, read the program, use the bathroom if necessary, and answer any lastminute texts or messages before the concert begins.

Turn off your cell phone. Even if you are just texting or reading, the light from the screen can distract other patrons and even the musicians if you are sitting close enough. Live music should be experienced in real time, and deserves your full attention. You can text about it or take pictures afterwards.

Gum: Don’t chew gum during a concert; the sound can disturb people around you.

Cough drops: If you need to unwrap a cough drop, do it before the music begins, or during a particularly loud moment to cover the sound. If you must unwrap it while the music is playing, do it as quickly as possible, rather than drawing out the sound of the wrapper crinkling (which can be surprisingly loud).

Sneezing: Try to muffle any sneezes as best you can. If you have allergies, take meds before the concert to keep the sneezes to a minimum. Obviously, stay home if you are actually sick.

Coughing: See sneezing.

Talking: Once the music starts, don’t, even in a whisper. It’s very distracting. Talk before or afterwards. If you are bringing kids with you, explain the importance of remaining quiet and sitting still before you arrive.

Introducing kids to classical music can be a wonderful experience for you and them. Use your common sense and good judgment when deciding which concerts to attend with kids. Some concerts are especially designed for families with young children; they tend to be shorter and less formal. Since most young children have brief attention spans and may experience difficulty sitting still for long periods, these family-friendly concerts are a good choice. Many older children and pre-teens are developmentally ready to experience a standard classical concert (e.g., they can sit quietly and focus on the music). All kids are

different, and you know yours best; if you think they are ready, they probably are.