What is an AUDIENCE?

INTRODUCE the concept of audience

1. Ask, “Have you ever been to a concert or performance?”

2. Explain, “There are two main jobs at a concert: the job of the performer, and the job of the audience.”

3. Ask students to share with a classmate about a time they watched a performance. What did the performer do? What did the audience do?

   After some time for students to discuss with each other, encourage students to share out their experiences with the class, supporting and validating the variety of experiences.

4. Remind students, “There are many kinds of audiences. The type of concert influences how an audience responds.”

5. As a classroom, create a chart listing positive and respectful audience behavior. Use this sample chart as a starting point.

LEARN about being an audience

1. Explain, “Sometimes an audience will dance and sing along with a performer. Sometimes it's the job of an audience to listen and notice as many sounds as possible. When we need to notice sounds, our own voices and body wiggles can keep us from hearing the performer. So it can be helpful to let out some wiggles and sounds before listening.”

2. Learn to sing a song about being in the audience: “We Are The Audience.” (Download the musical score.)

3. Watch our Class Notes Video: What to do at a Concert.

EXTEND about being an audience

Choose one or more of the following activities to extend learning.

1. Practice audience skills by utilizing one of our Class Notes Virtual Concerts. In these lessons, teachers play the role of Concert Host, and students play the role of the audience.

2. Hold your own classroom concert! Assign performers, audience members, and observers. The job of the observers is to notice good audience behavior. (i.e. “I noticed STUDENT was watching the performer and not talking!)