Choral concert-goers showed little respect

I attended the 6 p.m. concert of the Elgin Children's Chorus on Dec. 2 and was appalled at the conduct of some members of the audience. The choristers work very hard in preparation for their concerts, and the people that attend the concert should show their respect for them and fellow concert-goers.

Male members of the audience kept their baseball caps on during the concert though it was not an outdoor venue. Parents who bring children below the age of 7 -- don't, unless they have behaved well at other venues, such as church. Other audience members have paid for the pleasure of hearing the choristers, not to hear your son or daughter scream or chatter or otherwise be disruptive.

The concert is about the sound -- if you knew how many hours of practice are devoted to making the sound as perfect as possible, you would understand that any sound from the audience detracts from the experience. To those who feel that coughing loudly and repeatedly during the performance is acceptable, see the last sentence above.

To those who think that they can text message throughout the concert -- don't. Doing so implies you do not respect the work of the choristers and suggests texting is more important than the concert experience. If that is the case, don't come.

To those who think it is OK to wave at or otherwise attract the attention of a chorister -- don't. They know you are out there somewhere and they should be concentrating on the performance.

And finally, to those audience members who left as soon as one group was done singing -- don't. One of the best parts about these concerts is hearing the contrast in voices between the choirs.

By the way, while my daughter was in the chorus several years ago, my children are well past the eligible age of choristers.

I came to enjoy the songs of the season, and would have enjoyed them more had all members of the audience shown the choristers the respect they deserve.

Bill Surerus

Elgin