Concert Etiquette

Our concerts are part of the learning experience and should be thought of as part of the instruction that we provide. Certain standards are asked of every concert participant.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE OF THE CONCERT DAY: Concerts are held on Sundays at 4 p.m. at the Washington Center. On these days, each group will have a dress rehearsal earlier that afternoon. Concert dress is not required for dress rehearsal.

Brass Choir load-in Brass Choir Debut Academy Conservatory Concert Call Time 11:00 a.m. 11:20 a.m.—11:55 a.m. 12:00 p.m.—12:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.—1:45 p.m. 2:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. (concert dress required)

1. Always enter the Washington Center from the alley behind the theater.

2. While backstage, conduct yourself in a responsible and helpful manner. Use the time to warm up your instrument or practice quietly. Your conductor or teaching artist will tell you when and how your group should go to the stage.

3. After your group’s dress rehearsal is finished, you may leave the Washington Center if you have permission from your parents. However, all musicians must be back to the Center by 3:30 p.m. to be ready for the actual concert in concert dress.

4. Like the dress rehearsal, you will get specific instructions from your conductor or teaching artist when it is your group’s turn to go to the stage to play in the concert. Leave all electronic devices and purses backstage or with your parents.

5. Alley doors will be locked after concert begins. Please plan to meet your parents in the lobby after the concert.

6. Musicians stand in respect when the conductor comes on the stage. No gum chewing or talking. Sit when indicated by the conductor. Sit up, feet flat on the floor, and watch and listen carefully, tune carefully. At the end of the piece, watch the conductor and sit until you are asked to stand up.

7. When your group is done playing, you will exit the stage as instructed and go sit in a designated area in the theater to listen to the remainder of the concert. Conservatory musicians may sit in their designated section during the first half of the concert, since they do not perform until after the intermission.

8. Please be quiet and courteous, both as you go from the stage to your assigned seating, and while you listen to the concert. If you have your instrument with you, please make sure it is also quiet and safe. If you have any questions about what to do with your instrument, ask your conductor or teaching artist.

9. Concerts usually last 2 hours. Typically, during the first half the Brass Choir, Debut Orchestra, and Academy groups perform. There is a 15-minute intermission, then the Conservatory Orchestra performs during the second half of the concert.