University Orchestral Festival Feedback

            Musical performers are well-known for their ability to entertain their audience. The type of audience will depend on what artist is performing and the level of participation allowed. Indiana University’s Symphonic Orchestra has a differentiating level of participation compared to a rock concert; all ages were welcomed and there were certain rules to be followed such as no drinking or speaking while the performance took place in the music hall. There was a specific level of respect expressed from both the audience and the artist. When the orchestra played a piece all activity and sound from the audience ceased, but when it ended the crowd applauded. The participation of an audience also has a great deal to do with the style of the music. In order to appreciate classical pieces, one must be willing to be tranquil in their listening and if not, the musical message could be compromised. For instance, the audience’s feedback to the symphonic concert was relatively low compared to a Dixie Chicks concert, where the audience does more to show their appreciation. As a result, the environment of the orchestral concert was much more calming.

            Nothing about the symphonic orchestra’s spectacle involved the musical participation of the audience; it was strictly an exchange of melodic expressions. However, the musicians within the orchestra itself played participatory music amongst each other; the higher the level of participation went, the greater the social bond. For instance, one of the pieces performed, Allegretto Piu Allegro by Beethoven perhaps, incorporated a wind section off stage. The intensity of the music emphasized a feeling of being embraced; there was an intimate connection between the performers and the listeners. The sound of the orchestra on stage combined with the wind section to the left and right off stage is what made that moment so profound. Although the listeners did not participate with the orchestra musically, the symphony’s wind section participated as both the audience and performer. Overall, the artist was successful in sustaining the interest of the audience not only because the level of participation was understood and exercised, but the artist created a relationship with their spectators.

            Many people have their own opinions about what concert setting they prefer. In this case people preferred to attend the symphony orchestral concert for specific reasons. The most obvious reason for coming would be to witness pure talent from the artist without technological enhancers; the idea of music being represented skillfully is what makes the performance so exquisite. People also want to feel distinguished for attending such a concert because of its sophisticated method of melodic expression; the tempo, dynamics, style, and overall arrangement of the piece is important in transmitting the musical message.