<p>For the identifying garb, might I suggest a mix of some of the more garish flourescent colors so prevalent on small vehicles? Perhaps a combination of lime green, day-glo yellow, possibly on a bright orange background? Easily visible from the stage. Perhaps a few of the ladies have some design ideas?</p>
<p>Interesting that you should pick Mahler 1, which was roundly booed at its premiere by an audience that, by definition, had never heard (let alone played) it before. Different times, different tastes, different customs, I suppose.</p>
<p>I think it is certainly true that the level of experience of audience members varies widely and that artists and concert producers forget that at their peril. Heartfelt appreciation is always welcome. It becomes a little suspect, though, when the appreciation is entirely out of proportion to what is deserved.</p>
<p>BassDad...you crack me up!!!! I totally agree and have noticed the trend and have tried to fight it but just like thumper1, I would really like to see what's happening on stage (no matter how tall you are you can't see in this situation) and sometimes I will stand just for that reason. I will try and fight that impulse now :) </p>
<p>I'm debating whether it's the progression of my D's voice which comes with heightened expectations of singers, or just the singing quality in general, but I have been very disappointed in most of the Broadway shows I've seen lately (Audra MacDonald in 110 In The Shade being the only exception!). Opera wise we usually stick to the Met starring beloved singers and I have enthusiastically jumped to my feet during bows. I am suprised at the amount of hooting and yelling at opera - it used to be such a reserved (and well dressed!) audience! Are you seeing that at instrumental events as well?</p>
<p>I have not seen the level of hooting and yelling that the more popular opera singers elicit these days, at least at the concerts I have been attending.</p>
<p>Well...are we going to add clothing to the mix? I remember when going to a concert meant dress up clothes. My kids (and DH and I) still dress up for concerts. But looking around, even on a Saturday night, you'll see folks in jeans at a major concert event.</p>
<p>But then...back in the day, folks used to get dressed up to fly on an airplane (why????). </p>
<p>BassDad...I know about Mahler 1...it was the only piece that popped into my head (probably because I happen to like it). Reportedly that piece was severely boo'd at the premiere. I've never been to an arts event where the performers were boo'd (thank goodness). I find it interesting that audiences of eras past were able to express themselves SO freely. But then again the were the arts critics of the times (no pun intended there).</p>
<p>For identifying clothes...I vote for feathers...you know BIG colored feathers worn either in hair or on a hat (like the kind you used to get at a carnival on a hat with your name sewn onto it...am I dating myself?). Anyone with a big feather can join our section. The gaudier the color the better.</p>
<p>Feathers for the gentlemen as well? I think we also need to respect those who may be sitting behind us, so hats may not be quite the thing as lorelei first observed.</p>
<p>I don't think we need any "unique" identifiers. We'd probably be the ones NOT standing up for a competent performance, and probably the only ones standing up for a magnificent performance of an obscure piece...</p>
<p>And elitist snobs would never stand for unfashionable or garish accessories...</p>
<p>Then again, the whole point is that there is not much that we would stand for. (Rimshot, please.)</p>
<p>"I don't know much about music but I know what I like." :)</p>
<p>The only thing I object to about standing is the peer pressure to stand also. If I want to stand because a piece of music moved me, or I know the back-story to the performers, or whatever, great. And if it does nothing for me, then leave me alone, but don't make me feel like a Grinch for clapping without standing. Standing should represent one person's opinion, only, and clapping hard without standing might mean that person is giving an 8 or a 9, rather than a 10! </p>
<p>Bassdad said early on that he didn't object to standing for kids' performances. That is one of those things that I personally dislike. It drives me crazy to see people standing for a truly awful school performance, just because parents are so proud that little Bobby didn't knock over his music stand.</p>
<p>Then the kids come to expect standing ovations, and the lack of it becomes extremely significant. And the presence of it only encourages them to continue not practicing because they're already great.</p>
<p>Germans are tough audiences, and it is very rare to get a SO. They will clap on and on for a truly amazing performance, and I sit there thinking, "Why aren't we standing?" My kids received glowing reviews in the paper, and several curtain calls on occasion, and never received an ovation.</p>
<p>I don't think I could be a member of APEs because I would feel obligated to stand when the other APEs did - monkey see, monkey do, and all that. But I really want to be a REAL snob and stand only when I want to. I would be the chump among chimps.</p>
<p>Well...if we sit in the back row (or the Partare boxes), no one will be behind us...we can use the feathers...and also, no one will see IF we are sitting or standing while we applaud (assuming we DO applaud at all). :)</p>
<p>My post sounds a bit hard - I stand often, but I stand for different things. (Okay, Bassdad - there is some fodder for your puns. APE fodder. Does that mean I'm bananas? Be sure to include one about music stands, too. :) ) </p>
<p>One reason I like to stand at professional concerts is blantantly self-serving. I want my fellow concert-goers to believe they have seen and heard something amazing. Then they will feel good about the time and money they spent. And then they might come back. And classical music will be thought of as good. And concert halls will be full. And then my kid might be employed someday. :)</p>
<p>I want people to have fun and feel good. I don't even care if they clap between movements. I don't want them to have to feel ignorant or uneducated or low brow. I want them to come back!</p>
<p>You didn't know I could be so manipulative, did you?</p>
<p>It's actually kind of self defeating though binx, as most of us here are holding the comp tickets. :D</p>
<p>Violadad...it's always good to be playing for the "home town crowd"...I tell that to my kids all the time. The home town crowd (family and friends) are a very appreciative audience all of the time...so what if they stand unnecessarily. Maybe they are all trying to get to the parking lot first :)</p>
<p>Don't kid yourselves. By the time our children are in elite HS or local ensembles, they know when they play well and when they don't. I was often greeted with, "Why the heck did everyone stand after Granger?" or "I can't believe no one but you stood after Beethoven?" </p>
<p>Once they have a baseline, our rah-rahs are basically futile...</p>
<p>Please... just enjoy the music.</p>
<p>Violadad, I'm trying to make the people who actually paid for their tickets to feel good about it! (And every once in awhile, I really do pay for one. Sometimes my kid isn't even in it!)</p>
<p>I begin to see the fatal flaw in the ointment. Trying to organize elitist snobs is more like herding cats than apes. Unlike the old grouch who wouldn't join any club that would have him as a member, our members would never dream of doing anything so crass as forming a club.</p>
<p>Instead of a club, why don't we start a garage band?</p>
<p>I don't mind the standing ovations. I do sit through many of them. I am bothered by applause after pauses, between movements and at other inappropriate times.</p>
<p>So instead of being a club, we would aim to perform in one? Well, I guess on the basis of names alone it is thumper on drums and moi on bass guitar. Lorelei could front the group. Anyone else...</p>