lydamorehouse | (Reply)

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Your metaphor is a bit flawed. Dancing along doesn't change the nature of the music, and if music wasn't meant to be participatory why are we there at all? Why not have the music performed once, statically, perserved and we could all watch it on television? Music changes BECAUSE there is an audience -- ask any live performer. The music would be different if played alone. Musicians (like actors) perform for an audience with more spirit. It is meant to be heard, experienced, and responded to.

Otherwise, none of us would clap. Does clapping change the performance? YES, it does. As someone who used to do theatre I can tell you the difference between acting to an empty hall and acting to a packed one is a completely different experience... and yes, having a live audience "distracts" an actor -- but in a good way. It makes him/her more sharp. It is, in point of fact, the magic of theatre.

I refuse to apologize for noisily enjoying something. I will apologize if my child (or I) does or says something that's not an act of participation -- ala asking to go home or talking about things not related to experiencing the performance. But, if my (or my child's) only reaction is a particapatory one, screw your needs. If you so desire the experience of music as a sterile, unchanging experience buy a record and listen to it at home alone in the dark.