Ethical Behavior of the Classical Music Audience

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of expected ethics of audience behavior during a classical music performance. Through a better understanding of cultural identities and practices of the classical music audience, symphony organizations may be able to more closely align audience expectations and the socialization frameworks that are present throughout the classical music experience. The researchers engaged in an ethnographic qualitative research approach in this study. Specific to this study, the researchers were engaging in gaining a greater understanding of classical music audience culture and how this may be impacting participants that are of a “marginalized” or nontraditional classical music audience group. There were 6 new-to-file ticket-buying patrons from the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera who participated in the study. The predominant theme that emerged from the focus group participants was that they like the traditional classical music experience, including venue, audience behavior expectation, and orchestration components, as it is. Further research is needed to better understand if these preferences root in long-standing structural and institutional frameworks that perpetuate cultural identities and practices and minimize audience “performance anxiety” because of reassurance of learned socialization processes (Jacobs, 2000; Mandeles, 1993). Or, if the American classical music audience of today authentically desires the concert etiquette and rituals that began in the 19th century European concert halls because the etiquette and rituals provide an ideal psychological setting for enjoyment of the classical music experience.