Concert Etiquette

EMSB CHORALE CONCERT PREPARATION,
CONCERT ETIQUETTE AND STAGE DEPORTMENT

With the privilege of singing in a concert comes an artistic responsibility to respect your art and your audience. These simple rules will help the choir present a successful performance.

  1. Performing in concert is very demanding. You should be well rested before a performance.

  2. Go over/review your music often in the week preceding a concert. Remember that all EMSB Chorale performances are done from memory.

  3. If you look your best, you'll sing your best! Aim for a neat, tidy appearance, with hair pulled back from your face. Facial expressions are part of the artistic product and so the audience needs to see your face and your eyes.

  4. Make sure your uniform is in order and properly worn.
    GIRLS
    white long sleeved shirt or blouse (no turtlenecks, no t-shirts, no frills)     • black choir skirt, red choir vest plain black stockings or leotards, black shoes (no running shoes) if you wear hair ornaments, they must be discreet and in choir colours (red, white, black)
    no make up, no jewelry, no perfume or scents
    BOYS
    white long sleeved shirt (no turtlenecks, no t-shirts)     • black pants • black socks, black shoes (no running shoes) black bow tie

  5. No talking, laughing or fidgeting on stage EVER. No gum-chewing in rehearsal or on stage EVER. Exemplary discipline, focus and concentration on stage are essential elements of successful performances. Be especially careful during piano introductions, interludes and postludes. Sing with your hands loosely held behind your back unless instructed otherwise by the conductor. Choristers who cannot conform to acceptable standards of stage comportment will be asked to leave the stage.

  6. Stay in your concert row and respect the cues when going on and off stage. Pay attention to instructions.

  7. Respect the call time, which is usually AT LEAST ONE HOUR BEFORE THE CONCERT.

  8. Do not applaud on stage. That is the audience's job. At certain points in the concert (after a group or section, at the very end), the conductor will acknowledge the work of the accompanist and the choir and we all bow at a given signal.

  9. Choristers who are not well prepared for concerts (due to absences) and/or who do not attend the dress rehearsal will not be allowed to sing in a concert.

 

THANK YOU FOR COOPERATING AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CHOIR'S PERFORMANCES BY ADHERING TO THE ABOVE STANDARDS