Fine Arts Western Behavior Norms and Expectations a brief historical presentation

1. Fine ArtsWesternBehavior Norms and Expectationsa brief historical presentation Russ Weaver: Director of Bands Osceola County School for the Arts

2. Recital Etiquette… Remember that OPAC stands for Osceola Performing Arts Center.

3. Recital Etiquitte… Remember that OPAC is an “Adult” space. Make certain to remember this upon silently entering this space.

4. Where do expectations come from? • It is tough to say, however, we can say with a good degree of certainty that behavior at large gatherings dates back to the beginnings of recorded history. • These gatherings were attended by many people and there was no sound amplification. People had to be silent in order to show respect and to hear the people addressing the crowds. (100% participation or the event would not work = common sense = children should be seen and not heard…)

5. History Churches in the Western Hemisphere All religions built “houses” for their followers (Churches). These indoor facilities were built with two main architectural considerations: Make a building so everyone can hear what is happening. Make a building so everyone can see what is happening.

6. World Experience When you travel to one of these famous Medieval or Gothic spaces, it will become clear to you why:•No one in the audience can fidget, talk, bring small children or do anything but sit still and respectfully observe.

7. Goals within constructed spaces: • “Receive music that celebrates God.” Beginnings of our modern day concerts. • “Hear the spoken word. Perhaps the most drama people had in their lives. • “See the windows” Most people could not read, so the windows told the stories. • Provide Sanctuary.

8. How does this affect US? The majority of the Western World’s music and drama was written for these types of performance spaces. (You are sitting in one right now!) The behavioral norms are historic and bring us all together into one culture: The Fine Arts Culture. At OCSA we proudly carry on the tradition of this World Fine Arts Culture and are committed to providing you with a set of behaviors that will translate to any Fine Arts settings you might encounter throughout your World travels.

9. Etiquette Applause: from Latin applaudere, to strikeWestern Culture: can be traced back to the RomansDifferent cultures have different customs regarding clapping.Ours are pretty simple.

10. Applaud only after you see a faculty member begin to applaud.Students in the front row wait until the applause is going for a few seconds and then you may join in.

11. Customs Welcoming the performers to stage Guidelines for Faculty and students:Applause should be kept going until the conductor reaches the podium or until the performers reach their concert positions.Let’s Rehearse!

12. Customs Let’s bring out a chamber music group. Remember to keep the applause going until they reach their playing positions.

13. Let’s rehearse staying connected to a composition. The performers will typically “Freeze” (as a conductor might) at the end of a movement or a piece so that we might “Stay Connected” to the composer as the sound waves dissipate in the performance space. The performers will let you know when they are through by relaxing their postures. Remember not to applaud until you see a faculty member do so. Students in front should wait until they hear a substantial amount of applause before they join in.

14. Etiquette Western Classical Music Applause should only begin when the performers or the conductor indicate the performance is over, not before. Audience members who are too eager to applaud at the end of a piece are sometimes resented, particularly in the case of a quiet finale such as Tchaikowsky's Pathetique Symphony. Conductors always signal the end of the performance by lowering their hands to their sides. Sometimes this is prolonged well past the cutoff, in hopes of allowing the audience to stay joined to the artistic creation even for just a brief moment after its sounds have ceased.Display your level of respect and education and watch for an adult before applauding.You are becoming a member of Fine Arts Culture!

15. Let’s bring out a concert master or a conductor. Remember to keep your applause going until they take their bow or step onto the podium.

16. Listening to multi-movement works It is considered in poor taste to clap between movements of a multi-movement piece. Symphonies and music with more than one section qualify. Always check your program and always watch for a faculty member. Experience is the best teacher here.

17. When attending a recital it is expected that: • Audience members are there to experience the art form and know how to conduct themselves. • Students respect that this is an “Adult” space and adult behavior is mandatory. • Students understand that ANY sound or action that takes away from the performance, “upstages” the performers and is considered inappropriate. • Students without this level of respect and sophistication will receive disciplinary consequences. Teachers are expected to move you to another location in OPAC. • Engaged and Educated Audience members will have an aesthetic experience through the quality performance.

18. Quotes: • “To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also.” Igor Stravinsky

19. When attending a music recital/concert it is expected that thoughtful listeners: • know and remember the names of the pieces that they are viewing, or listening to, as well as their composer. • know what to listen for, or what to look for, in a performance piece. Always listen and watch as if you are going to write a review of this performance. • experience the pieces through higher level thought processes including: historical considerations, cultural considerations, form of the piece, other pieces by this author or composer, and the ability to understand programmatic content. • know what “type” of piece they are experiencing. • who are engaged and educated audience members will have a deeper aesthetic experience through the vehicle of quality performance.

20. Recital Etiquette… Etiquette Noun the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

21. Entering a performance space Should be done silently as you do not know, and can not see what is going on.•Should only be done before the performance, if you should have to enter during the performance, this MUST be done during the pauses between pieces or when the audience is applauding.•Use of the restroom should be before the performance begins and at intermission.

23. Entering the OPAC Students are expected to:•remain with their classes.•sit down quickly and quietly.•leave their instruments in the back 4 rows before making their way to seating.•Make sure they are sitting up straight and with good posture. (Teachers lead by example)•keep their knees and feet off of the chair in front of them.•Be attentive audience members through active listening. No upstaging (books, ipods, or multi-tasking)•Behave like adults in this adult space.

24. Recital etiquette… If you or your class is late to recital, please enter OPAC only during pauses in the performance.

25. In Review Enter OPAC silently, not quietly. Instruments in back rows. Remain with your class. Sit up and enjoy the performances. Wait to applaud, just wait, don’t be overzealous. Watch for faculty members for appropriate behavior. Stay focused on being a good audience member by remembering what was just seen or heard. This way you can have an educated discussion after the event. Welcome to the Global “Fine Arts Community!” Welcome to OCSA!

26. OCSA Student Pride The rich tradition of OCSA student pride comes from knowing the behavior expectations of: Fine Arts Culture When OCSA is a part of multi- school events, teachers are always proud of student behavior and discipline.