Standing Tradition

Should Be Seated

To the Editor:

Regarding the reluctance of some attendees at the high school winter concert to stand during the performance of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” there are, in my opinion, a few good reasons for this “tradition” to be abandoned.

This year, sadly, work prevented me from attending, but in years past I have always been there to watch my daughters perform. Each year, before this piece was performed, [former] Principal Manfredonia would introduce the piece, and explain one of the apparently many legends surrounding the origin of the tradition of standing during the performance. Was it a king, a queen, the Pope himself? No one appears to be really sure.

And I have always dreaded it. Not simply because I think it’s a silly idea, based on questionably historic events that apparently nobody can agree on, but because it’s an annoyance. At a modest 5’ 6”, and my bride of about 5’ 4”, we are usually guaranteed to be surrounded by much taller people in the audience. This isn’t a big deal when everyone is seated, but standing, the crowd effectively blocks many people’s view of the stage entirely. Then there is the sound-deadening effect of all of those bodies in front of and surrounding you, making enjoyment of the piece even more difficult. And let’s not forget the people attending the concert who cannot stand, or those for whom the practice is very difficult.

Whatever the true origin of this tradition, it is almost universally agreed that it was started by accident. Whichever major figure it was that stood, momentarily, during that performance some hundreds of years ago never intended for it to be a sign that all must stand. Just suppose it had been something as common as, say, “Jingle Bells,” instead?  Would we still go to such great lengths to continue an accidental tradition?

The song is wonderful, and I wouldn’t mind one bit if it were played on the radio once or twice in July. But I think intentionally “deadening” it by making the audience stand during the performance does both the song and the singers a great injustice. Unlike the National Anthem, where we can feel pride and courage just by the performing of the song, listeners of a piece like the “Hallelujah Chorus” want to hear the depth and timbre of the singers, feel the impact of the music, enjoy the moment. All of that is reduced to some degree by this outdated tradition.

Keep the song in the concert, but dump the standing part.

John Krause

5A High Bridge Rd, Sandy Hook                         December 28, 2005