Things you need to know about attending your first classical music concert

Aug 1, 2023
6 min read

Attending your first classical music concert can feel a little intimidating, especially if you did not grow up going to orchestras, chamber concerts, operas, or formal recitals. There are a lot of unspoken rules, the environment can feel very serious. But here’s the thing: classical music is not something you have to “earn” your way into. You do not need a music degree, perfect concert etiquette, or a lifetime of listening experience to enjoy it. You just need a little preparation and an open mind. A classical concert can be beautiful, emotional, intense, peaceful, overwhelming, and kind of magical.

Hearing live musicians perform in a space designed for sound is a completely different experience than listening through your phone speaker or headphones. You feel the sound. That being said, a little bit of research goes a long way. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable, avoid awkward moments, and actually enjoy the experience instead of spending the whole time wondering if you are doing something wrong.

Do the Research!

Space, Location, and Company

First things first, before attending, do your research! In general concerts require long periods of sitting in silence and you want to make sure that it would be accommodating for you and the little ones. Orchestras and music organizations are starting to create more opportunities for young listeners, folks with special needs. There are outdoor concerts, sing-a-longs, and sensory-friendly concerts. You might have to do a bit of digging but it's worth it! It will absolutely enhance the experience of the concert and avoid any snafus.

The Music, Scores, & Genre

Personally, I like to research the music being formed but it's definitely not a requirement. I like hearing the nuances in different performances of my favorite works. Plus it can put you at ease knowing when a song ends. My first time attending felt never ending. I just needed a little time to shift my mindset that I was going to be sandwiched between two strangers— and I desperately wanted to leave to get a second to process my surroundings (thanks claustrophobia. Anyways, there is a procedure to clapping, standing up or moving so knowing pieces can help with mindfulness.

Looking up a little bit of information for the pieces that you're about to listen can give dimension on the music, especially if you are not an avid listener. Most concerts give reportorial list prior to you signing up and then usually they let you know what it is and sometimes they even have a short description of what this music is about. But it's always good to do a little research especially if it's not in your language. It just helps the overall understanding of the music that you're about to listen to.

The Must-dos

I always, always think of attending these concerts as a date night even when I go by myself. Although dress codes are explicitly stated, it’s recommended. I personally think it adds to the experience. Put on your Sunday best and get dolled up. It's a concert. It's fun, it's a date night. You can wear super formal wear or something a little bit more subtle in general people do get dressed up to attend these concerts and I think it's just overall a nice thing to do for yourself.

Arrive on time

You wouldn’t want to be late to a date would you? You don’t want to be late or right on time because it is likely that they will not let you into the performance until the end of the first piece. It messes with the ambiance of the performance and to respect the other patrons, you will not be allowed to be seated. It doesn't have to be so heavy, not necessarily something you think you have to do but it is something nice to do. While you are planning on attending this concert, it is a good idea to get there early. The atmosphere of these types of concerts tend to be very very formal, to say the least. If you arrive early, if you do not arrive early it it is a possibility that they will lock you out of the concert, and you'll have to enter during intermission. They're very strict about this and you want to make sure that you don't miss out on anything. Those seats were expensive.

Clapping, Whistling and Hollering

Because you are in a room filled with people who want to be enveloped, the end of a work is the only time to clap and whistle and show your appreciation. It's usually, pretty straightforward

In terms of etiquette, there is a little bit of a standard going to these concerts. It's not like going to a rock concert or a pop concert. The first things first is that you are going to have to be silent throughout the performance. It and there are traditions where you should not be clapping in between movements of a symphony or a concerto. If you're unsure whether to applaud, just follow the audience. You know start clapping when everybody starts clapping. That's what I did when I first started attending.

💡Pro-tip: If you’re still unsure wait until the the conductor turns back around and bows… OR wait till everyone else claps

No Electronics and Definitely No Pictures

This might seem strict, but it really does matter. Phone screens, camera flashes, notification sounds, and even small distractions can pull people out of the experience. Classical concerts are built around focus, stillness, and sound, so the fewer distractions, the better. Make sure your cell phone is silenced before the performance begins, and avoid being on your phone during the concert. Most concerts will make a brief announcement before the music starts reminding everyone to silence their devices, put phones away, and avoid taking photos or videos.

Something I’ve noticed recently is that larger symphonies are starting to offer things like cough drops before the concert begins, which I honestly find both funny and kind of brilliant. It is their polite way of saying, “Please do what you need to do now so we can all sit quietly and enjoy the music.”

Silence

For a traditional classical concert, you will need to be quiet and still during the performance. I know that can sound intense, but there is a reason for it. A lot of classical music is performed in spaces like concert halls, churches, and theaters that are designed to carry sound naturally. Most of the time, the music is not amplified. The architecture of the space helps the sound travel, which is beautiful when you are listening to an orchestra, choir, chamber group, or soloist. But that also means every little sound travels too.

If you whisper and think no one can hear you, guess what? The people ten seats in front of you probably can. Candy wrappers, phone vibrations, coughing, talking, and notifications can be much louder than you think in a quiet hall. It is honestly kind of cool how clearly sound carries in those spaces, but it is not so cool when you are trying to focus on the music and someone’s phone goes off.

I have even attended concerts where the conductor stopped the music, turned around, and waited for someone to silence their phone. Trust me, you do not want to be that person. It is uncomfortable for the audience, distracting for the performers, and it breaks the atmosphere everyone is there to experience.

So before the music begins, silence your phone, unwrap anything noisy, get comfortable, and settle in. Once the performance starts, the best thing you can do is be present and let the music happen.

Why are there so many rules to attend these concerts?

I know it can sound stuffy and stiff at first, especially if this is not the type of concert you usually attend. Classical concerts can come with a lot of unspoken expectations: when to clap, when to move, when to enter, when to stay quiet, and when to just sit still and let the music happen.

But most of these rules are not there to make people feel excluded or uncomfortable. They exist because this kind of music is usually built around deep listening. The performers, the audience, and the space are all working together to create one focused experience.

When an orchestra, chamber group, choir, or soloist is performing without amplification, every little sound matters. A whisper, a phone buzz, a candy wrapper, or someone walking in late can interrupt the moment for the people listening and the musicians performing. So while the rules can feel intense, they are really about respect: respect for the performers, respect for the audience, and respect for the music itself.

That being said, not every classical music experience is super formal. If sitting in silence for a long concert feels like too much, that is completely okay. Try starting with something a little less formal, like an outdoor concert, a community performance, a family concert, a sensory-friendly event, a chamber concert, or a shorter program.

We still encourage you to experience this genre at least once, especially if you are in the realm of music. There is something really special about hearing live musicians perform in a space designed for sound. It may not be everyone’s favorite setting, but it is absolutely worth experiencing.