Recently, I attended two concerts of the college’s music program: A two-piano/four-hand performance by Kristi Gautsche and Debbi Wyse, and a performance by the faculty woodwind quintet. A most unusual but refreshing phenomenon followed both of these performances: Hearty applause from a seated audience — and no standing ovation.
I enjoyed both concerts and thought the musicians performed wonderfully, yet neither performance deserved a standing ovation. Over Parents Weekend, I performed two concerts as a member of the orchestra and disappointedly watched the audience rise to its feet both nights. We work hard in orchestra and performed admirably that weekend, but hard work alone does not deserve standing ovations. They must indicate enthusiastic approval.
Perhaps our audiences enthusiastically approved of our performances. Many of our parents attended, after all. Yet standing ovations have unfortunately become the norm at musical performances here. They are the “nice” thing to do; the staunch seat-stayers seem mean-spirited. Some may think a standing ovation is a sweet gesture by audience members eager to support our music department. But standing ovations actually endanger a music department and its performers. How will student musicians drive themselves to deliver excellence if all their efforts are enthusiastically approved? In what challenge can our strength rejoice if every concert, regardless of quality, earns a standing ovation? The standing ovation has lost its potency.
Furthermore, a concert is more than the music. Choice of repertoire, staging, lighting, appearance of the musicians, atmosphere, words spoken on stage — all of these and more should influence the audience’s decision on what degree of approval is merited at the end. The two concerts I attended were by professionals. Of course the performers were excellent; however, I felt no urge to jump to my feet at the end. I applauded, smiled, and discussed how much I enjoyed the concerts with my friends, but stayed in my seat.
I am lucky the rest of the audience agreed with me; at more than one performance, I have been shamed into standing or simply stayed seated while all around me have stood. This shows a lack of taste and refinement. How can the performer possibly know when she has put on an average concert or a truly superb concert when all of her efforts earn a surge of standing audience members? We examine the documents in our Heritage readers critically, carefully weigh each document’s merits and shortcomings, and restrain our praises until we are sure they are deserved. Why should we judge musical performances any less critically?
Let’s restore the idea of a cultured audience. Show the excellence of a Hillsdale education and a refined and tasteful mind by staying seated. Applaud heartily by all means, but stay in that chair. Someday, you will experience a truly spectacular performance that will bring you to your feet instinctively before the final note has even begun to fade. Then, the performer will know she has done more than worked hard. She will have successfully exceeded all the expectations of an informed, excellent mind. That is an accomplishment.
