Singers and musicians who belong to show groups spend many weeks and months bringing together their concert pieces. They take every care to give their best efforts both to highlight their talents and to make the concert as interesting and enjoyable for the public. It only takes one person in the audience to ruin the entire event for everyone. You can avoid being that person by knowing what it takes to be a mindful and respectful audience member at a California choral musical performance.

The most obvious courtesy involves turning off your cell phone ringer prior to the show. When a phone goes off during a concert, the attention of the audience is diverted from the stage to the person whose phone was not silenced. The people on stage likewise may be thrown off cue or forget words to the songs they are singing.

If it goes off during a song, you inevitably will garner attention that will be anything but flattering or appreciated. The people on stage will resent you for taking the attention off of them. The people sitting around you will be annoyed that they heard your ringer rather than the singing on stage. You will avoid all of this scenario by turning down or off the phone before you take your seat.

The next thing that makes singers and conductors alike angry is when someone gets up to leave during the song. Many people in attendance might get up to leave at some point to use the bathroom or to stretch their legs. However, getting up to leave when the show is still going on is rude. Proper etiquette dictates that people stay seated until the music ends or the show has reached a transition phase.

Children are likewise sometimes not welcome at the more upscale concerts held at some locations. These adult only concerts are a time for parents and other adults to enjoy the show. Children tend to distract with their screaming, tantrum throwing, crying, and other antics. You might choose to hire a babysitter rather than bring your baby or children with you that evening. Your fellow audience members could thank you.

They will not thank you, however, if you clap too soon during a song. People who are not experienced concert goers sometimes commit the error of clapping before a piece has ended. It actually might just be at a lull or silent section to allow the singers to take a breath or get ready for the next phase of the piece.

When the conductor has his or her arms poised above his or head or extended in front of the chest, he or she is giving a sign the song is continuing and not ended yet. It is only when the conductor drops the arms to both sides that he or she demonstrates the finality of the piece. At this point, you may clap if you enjoyed what you heard.

Musical performances put on by California choral groups can provide for a fun evening away from home. You are exposed to beautiful music that you may before have never heard. You also get to witness musicians and singers showcase their talents. You will ensure the enjoyment of everyone in the audience with you by knowing what manners to abide by while you are there.