Klarinet Archive - Posting 000920.txt from 1998/12

From: Edinger/Gilman <wde1@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] obligatory ovations
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1998 22:07:48 -0500

Regarding standing ovations for any and all performances - Mark Charette
wrote:

"It cheapens the whole idea of a standing ovation if it happens too
often."

and Bill Hausman responded:

"Agreed. I have reluctantly risen several times lately, but also
spontaneously jumped to my feet other times. But the performer is
unlikely to notice the difference. We do him a disservice to make him
think he is better than he (or she) is."

It doesn't take too much experience to separate the sheep from the
goats, even if you're the goat. Even as a strictly amateur performer, I
can assure you that most adult players know darned well if they deserve
a standing ovation or not, and have generally more respect for extended
sitting applause than for a perfunctory standing ovation. There's one
parent in our school system who is always the first to shout "bravo" and
jump to his feet for any and all performances. This only teaches the
kids insincerity and a horrible lack of discrimination in taste. Smiles
and a lasting applause mean a lot more than a pseudo-ovation, and I
suspect the kids know it too. This unfortunate trend seems to be a lot
worse in Central California than it was in Upstate New York, but that
should surprise no one.

Bill Edinger

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