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Auburn Symphony:
Placer High School
1. Placer High School Seating Chart
2. Directions to Placer High School (see below)
First-timers' Guide
SO, YOU ARE NEW TO THE SYMPHONY……
Do you think everyone wears tuxedos and evening gowns to the concerts? Do you know when to clap during the performance? Can you bring the kids? We are certain that these and many other questions may be on your mind as you think about attending your first symphony concert. We want you to enjoy your experience without worrying about some of the details. With that in mind, we offer some tips that will help you understand what is going on during a classical music performance.
1. Will I enjoy the concert? Absolutely! Classical music is full of wonderful sound, color and emotion. You will find yourself swept away by all your sensations! You may even recognize some of the music. Classical music has permeated all aspects of our lives – from television commercials to movie themes. You will be amazed how at one moment the orchestra can be playing a soft, lyrical passage, then be blowing the roof off with drums, cymbals and trumpets the next! You are certain to find at least some part of the performance that will really move you.
You can increase your enjoyment of the concert by reading the program notes before the performance begins. The notes contain a lot of information about the composer of the piece, the piece itself, and about some of the performers. It also has been the custom of Maestro Michael Goodwin to talk to the audience at the beginning of each half of the program to give interesting insight into the pieces that are about to be played.
You can also read the biographies of the composers and guest artists in this website. Go to “Explore the Music” for the composers and “The Musicians” for the guest soloists.
2. What do people wear? Contrary to popular belief, formal evening attire is never required for attendance at an Auburn Symphony concert. With the exception of the gala opening concert and reception, most people will be comfortable in “business casual” wear. Slacks, sports shirts, open collars, blouses, and informal dresses are just fine. The gala opening is a little dressier. The gala is a grand party with music and a reception to celebrate the start of our new season – even then, it is “black tie optional.”
3. When do I clap? It is a natural tendency for people to show their appreciation of music by applauding at the end of a number. With “popular” music, knowing when the piece ends is easy to figure out. It is a little more difficult to determine for a classical piece because a single work may have several “movements,” with a 15 –20 second pause between each section. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, for example, has four movements. It is customary that applause be held until the very end of the piece. If the audience claps after each movement, it tends to destroy the emotional flow of the piece; it can break the performers’ concentration. You may notice that sometimes people clap too early in a piece – you know it’s too early because only a few people are doing it. You may notice that the applause is rarely acknowledged by the performers, or perhaps only slightly – no big bow is taken. They are trying to be polite.
So how do you know when to clap? The first thing to do is check the program – it will list the names of the movements separately – so just count them up and remember the number during the performance. The next best thing is just follow the lead of the audience. When the entire piece is finished, you will hear a loud applause. If the orchestra or guest soloist has had an exceptional performance, there may be a standing ovation and people may shout “bravo!”
4. How long do I clap? How long the audience applauds generally will depend on three things: whether it is a major or minor work in that particular concert, whether there are guest soloists, and, of course, how much the audience liked the piece! For the less significant works, such as an overture, the audience usually gives one fairly sustained applause. If the piece was exceptionally well done, the audience may extend the applause to allow the conductor to make a “curtain call” - an opportunity to go off the stage and return for a second bow.
For the major portions of the program, such as a symphony, it is appropriate for the audience to sustain the applause long enough to allow for several curtain calls. For example, when the conductor goes off the first time, he will want to return to acknowledge individual members of the orchestra for their fine performance. It’s good to bring the conductor back a third or fourth time to allow the full orchestra to be honored.
Several curtain calls also are appropriate when a soloist has performed. After the initial applause, the conductor and the soloist go off stage together. If the applause continues, the soloist will return alone, often to receive a bouquet of flowers. If the applause continues further, the soloist will return with the conductor. Additional curtain calls may allow the proper acknowledgment of the individual performances by the orchestra members.
There is no limit to the number of times the performers can be called back on stage!
5. Do I clap when people first come on stage? There is no need to applaud when the general members of the orchestra come on stage when the performance is about to begin. You may notice, however, that when the orchestra gets seated, the first chair in the violin section is empty – that will be used by the “concertmaster.” After the musicians warm up a bit, they generally will quiet down as the house lights are slightly dimmed. The concertmaster will then enter the stage and tune the orchestra by having the oboe play just one note – everyone then matches their instrument to that one note! Because the concertmaster has great talent and a number of administrative and other duties with the orchestra, it is appropriate for the audience to give light applause with the entrance. After the orchestra is tuned and everyone quiets down again, the conductor will enter the stage. The orchestra will stand out of respect for their leader and the audience should give a warm welcome applause.
6. Can I bring the kids? Children under seven probably will not sit comfortably through the long performances, so having them attend is not recommended, both for their sake and for the peace of the people sitting near them! We do encourage you to bring all the kids to the KinderKonzert, which is a program designed for all ages, but particularly the kids! The pieces are short and light, something the whole family will enjoy.
7. What about cell phones, coughing, and other noises? You can imagine how frustrating it would be to have a cell phone go off during a particularly beautiful and quiet section of the music. It is a noise that will distract everyone in the concert hall. Please turn off all pagers and cell phones!
Coughing can be just as distracting. We all have had a tickle at times—an annoyance that seems to get worse the more we try to control it! If you are fighting a cough, try to make it to the breaks between the movements. If you feel a cold coming on when you come to the concert, be prepared with cough drops – but open the wrappers before the performance starts!
Please don’t talk during the performance.
So….if you are attending a symphony concert the first time — relax and enjoy it! We know you will want to attend again and again!
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