What to Expect at a Classical Concert

Here is an idea of what to expect at a classical music concert.

Following announcements by the concert manager, the performance begins.

The leader of the violin section, the concertmaster, comes onstage and takes a bow as the audience claps. The concertmaster turns to the orchestra, the principal oboe gives a tuning note, and the musicians tune their instruments. The audience should stay quiet during tuning so the musicians can hear.

Next, the conductor comes onstage. As the audience applauds, the orchestra may stand up to share in the applause. The conductor shakes hands with the concertmaster and the musicians sit back down. The conductor then turns away from the audience and towards the orchestra to begin the music. He or she directs the music with gestures and a baton, and the audience won’t see his or her face again until the first piece is over.

The music may start and stop a few times within one piece of music, and the musicians may pause between big sections to refocus their energy or tune their instruments before playing the next part. The audience should remain quiet during these transitions.

When the whole piece is over, the conductor puts his hands down to his sides and you may give the performers a round of applause. Wait until the cue has been given to show appreciation for the piece. Then the conductor leaves the stage. If the applause continues, he or she will return to the stage and may ask the orchestra or individual musicians to stand and share the applause. Then the conductor will exit again, but he or she will return for more bows if the audience is insistent in its applause. After all this, the conductor finally leaves the stage, while the orchestra gets ready for the next piece. Sometimes equipment is rearranged, or players must be added or subtracted. When everybody is ready, the conductor comes onstage again to lead the next piece. If there is a featured soloist, he or she will walk onstage with the conductor, who stays a bit more in the background, allowing the soloist to be the focus of the audience’s attention.

At the very end of the concert, the audience may show their appreciation with applause, a standing ovation, or by shouting “Bravo!”