The following is a simple and very brief set of guidelines that will help project the individual performers, the ensemble and the institution they represent in a more professional light.

• If warm-up is necessary on stage, do it as briefly and carefully as possible.  (No demonstrations of how high or loud you can play!)
• If tuning on stage is necessary, do it with the full ensemble or sections. Do not tune individuals on stage with the audience listening.
• When the conductor enters the stage, have one performer who is in the sight line of the conductor to be the one to stand first.  His/her standing will signal the entire ensemble to stand.

When each piece is finished:

• If there are soloists or a section is featured, the conductor will usually ask them to stand and face the audience.  Remain standing.
• The conductor should ask the remaining ensemble members to stand and face the audience.
• Ensemble members should look pleasant and accept the audience applause.
• Do not talk to each other or change music to the next selection to be played. In other words, do not be rude to the audience by ignoring their applause. They are saying thank you.
• Percussion performers should stand in place and not move around getting equipment ready for the next selection.
• After the applause has stopped, all performers sit down on the signal from the conductor and change music and get equipment ready for the next selection.
• The conductor should check with the percussion section leader to be sure they are ready before starting the next selection.
• At the conclusion of the concert, the conductor will usually ask the performers to stand.  When the conductor leaves the stage, the person that is in the sight line of the departing conductor should sit down when the conductor reaches the stage wings.  This is the signal for all ensemble members to sit.  When or if the conductor comes back on stage for a curtain call, he or she will signal the ensemble to stand again.

KEN BLOOMQUIST is Emeritus Director of Bands at Michigan State University. He has written many articles for publications such as The Instrumentalist, The Getzen Gazette, and Bandworld Magazine.  He is a past president of the American Bandmasters Association.

The article is “Rehearsal and Concert Etiquette and Performance Suggestions.”

• Unless you play every note perfectly, have patience with an individual or section having difficulty playing a passage.
• If you make a mistake during a solo, don’t grimace, frown, shake your head or make some other gesture to draw attention to what has happened.
• If you arrive late to a rehearsal, put your instrument together and wait until the conductor stops the music before you join the ensemble.
• Try to ask specific questions about your part during a break or after rehearsal.
• Unnecessary talking during rehearsal is disturbing to the conductor and fellow band members.
• Mark your part for reminders and then be responsible to play it correctly.
• Show respect for a soloist by not making movements that are a distraction.
• Pay attention at the end of a piece to see if you or your section is being asked to stand for acknowledgement by the audience.
• Stop when the conductor stops during rehearsals.
• Do not challenge the conductor in front of the group.  Questions about tempo, dynamics, etc., should be brought during a break or after rehearsal.

“We know all of this but a reminder never hurts.  My own addition is to keep the rehearsals productive and enjoyable.  We do the best we can do, entertain the audience, and have fun doing it.”

JT