Oklahoma City Philharmonic

Earlier this week, I was part of a casual conversation about a recent concert, and someone made the assertion that Oklahoma City audiences tend to offer obligatory standing ovations. I will admit that I've noticed this tendency, but it got me thinking. Is this a bad thing? It was clear from this person's tone that she thinks it is.

Now let me say at the git-go, it's not just OKC - I experience it most everywhere I travel and for most all forms of the performing arts.

The word 'ovation' comes from the Latin ovo meaning "I rejoice". Historically, there are centuries old military customs for standing applause, and modern-day practices are found for certain achievements in baseball and in the somewhat unfamiliar (to Americans, anyway) sport of cricket. And then there's the political arena - how much shorter could the President's annual State of the Union address be if they'd all quit standing and sitting???

But back to the arts. This week I've been considering my own habits on this subject. We've all attended performances so thrilling that the audience is on its feet with sudden and collective hysteria. These are the concerts that we remember for years or even a lifetime. There are also occasions when the performers receive this gesture as a sincere reward for the audience's shared recognition of a great accomplishment; perhaps a monumentally difficult symphony or a testament to an occasion or special cause. I will admit that sometimes I stand with others when I might not personally feel the recognition warrants the ovation but I do so because of my position - sometimes I just have to.

In the end, I come back to "I rejoice".  As with clapping between movements, I'm totally fine with an obligatory standing ovation. It expresses an audience's appreciation for what really is hard work - I can tell you from my long-ago days, as a performer, you need and want it. It's a response that celebrates the collective experience of live performance. Standing and cheering is good for us. Oh hell, it just makes me feel better.