When to Clap at the Symphony

Gregory Hughes • October 5, 2022

Terrified of clapping at the wrong time? Don't be.

With Halloween right around the corner, we’ve got scary, unsettling, and truly horrifying things on our minds. Like clapping at the wrong time at a symphony concert! (Cue scary music…)

Clapping at an orchestra concert can often feel like an impenetrable social convention, like a secret handshake or something you need a decoder ring to understand. Don’t fret! It’s actually pretty straightforward.


The Easy Part

At the beginning of every concert, two things usually happen and you’ll always want to clap for them:

  • Concertmaster enters, you clap. The Concertmaster will begin to tune the orchestra after acknowledging your applause, and you can stop clapping when the tuning starts.
  • Conductor enters, you clap. The conductor usually invites the whole orchestra to stand, acknowledges your applause, and then turns their back to the audience to begin the concert. When they turn their back to you, stop clapping.


The Clapping Conundrum

In the earlier days of classical music (think 1700s), audiences were actually kind of rowdy; they’d clap, talk, and even shout during the performance. Sometime in the 20th Century, this convention changed and it became the norm to only applaud at the very end of each piece – and never in between movements. So what should you do?


We encourage the audience to clap when you are moved to do so! It’s perfectly fine to clap in between movements if you enjoyed the music, or you can hold your applause for the very end of each piece.


A Note to Frequent Attenders

If you’re a seasoned concertgoer who feels moved to clap only at the very end of each piece, and never in between movements, that’s great – the orchestra is happy to hear your applause whenever and however you give it!


However, we ask that you please be gracious to other attendees – especially newcomers – who might feel differently than you. It can be rather unwelcoming to correct someone or glare because they broke your rule about clapping in between movements. Be glad that your fellow, clap-happy concertgoers are supporting the arts!



May 12, 2025
The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce that Tong-Bai Deng , pianist, has been named the winner of the 2025 Stanger Young Artist Competition. The announcement was made live at the conclusion of the Rising Stars of Stanger concert on Saturday, May 10, 2025, held at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church. Deng earned top honors for his electrifying performance of Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Movement IV , captivating both the audience and judges with his technical command and passionate artistry.  The concert featured three finalist performances by exceptional high school musicians: Tong-Bai Deng , piano — Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (Mvt. IV) Sarah Gomez , Sam Deverman , Elyse Schlesinger , and Julian Kolthammer , horns — Robert Schumann’s Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra Neal Eisfeldt , violin — Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (Mvt. I) The Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Assistant Conductor Eli Chen , also performed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, Movement I , rounding out a dynamic and celebratory afternoon of music. A panel of esteemed judges— Andrea Lafranzo , Michael Lewanski , and Peter Lipari —was embedded in the audience to evaluate each finalist on musicianship, interpretation, and stage presence before announcing the winner live from the stage. “This competition is one of the most inspiring events we host all year,” said Michael Surratt, Coordinator of the Stanger Young Artist Competition. “We are so proud of all the finalists and extend our warmest congratulations to Tong-Bai Deng for his extraordinary performance.” The Stanger Young Artist Competition is an annual tradition that supports and celebrates the next generation of classical musicians by offering high school performers the opportunity to appear as soloists with a professional orchestra. It is in part sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst , whose generous and ongoing support is gratefully acknowledged. For more information on the competition or upcoming performances, please visit ElmhurstSymphony.org or contact the ESO office at 630-941-0202 (Monday-Friday 10AM-3PM).
May 12, 2025
Gallery Photos by Elliot Mandel Photography.
May 5, 2025
Gallery Photos by Ryan Bennett for Elliot Mandel Photography.
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