There is a growing problem here on campus and you need to know about it...I've recently been to several concerts put on by various major ensembles at the university, and as wonderful as the music was, I couldn't enjoy it because of other patrons who were highly disruptive. The students and conductors in Southern Chorale, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Winds, amongst other ensembles, have worked tirelessly to present concerts with fantastic music, but it is often ruined by those lacking proper concert etiquette. So here are some things you should be aware of during any sort of performance you might attend!

1. One should always clap when the concert master or conductor walks on stage.

You clap politely! Don't just stand and golf clap like Destiny's Child just walked on stage.

2. One must never text their phone, or worse, openly operate a tablet during a recital.

With the house lights down, the light coming from the screen of your phone is bright, and I promise the people beside you could care less about who just messaged you on Tinder. GET OFF YOUR PHONE!

3. NO. FLASH. PHOTOGRAPHY.

I promise you, it's really distracting to the performers on stage.

4. One must never clap in between movements of a work.

Example: If you attended this concert, you would clap after the first piece but don't you even think about clapping after the Allegro in Mozart's Concerto. If there are multiple movements, you DO NOT clap until the end.

5. One must NEVER clap until the conductor has let their hands down.

The silence and pauses in between the music is just as important as the noise. When a piece is over and the conductor still has their hands up it is so the music can resonate with you before you destroy the mood with your applause. When their hands have reached their side, then AND ONLY THEN should you applaud.

6. One must not talk. Don't utter a peep.

If you're talking, I can guarantee you've just pissed off everyone around you. All the people who have showed up to the recital came to see their friends, or children perform- NOT to hear you talk about how much you hate your English professor. Your teacher probably hates you too for talking in their class.

7. One should NEVER walk in the concert hall while a piece is being played.

Whether you had to step out to go to the restroom, or you're showing up late, don't walk in and squint your eyes to try and find a seat while the performers are playing. You look ridiculous and it's just plain rude.

All in all, it's not that musicians are acting stuck up, we've just put in a lot of hard work to create each performance. So if you're going to a concert for the first time, or you're required to go because of a music appreciation class, show some respect to those around you and the hard-working musicians on stage!