For one thing, the concert will probably be in a smaller space, will involve a smaller number of performers, and you will find it a more intimate setting for the audience. You will feel more involved in the music-making process. You will be able to better see the expressions on the players faces, the subtle communication between them, and you might see some sweat, too!

Because it is a more intimate setting there are advantages and disadvantages. One is that there is a feeling of more interaction between the audience and the musicians. They may talk to you between pieces to give you information that helps your listening. The other side is that YOUR audience reaction is more evident to the musicians. They will notice your response and appreciate it. They also may be more distracted by you moving around or making noise. More on this in the "concerts and kids" section! Remember that these players have put an enormous work into this event and they deserve your attention and respect.

It's always hard for a new concert-goer to know when to clap, so don't feel bad if you're not sure! The best approach is to follow the crowd and clap when they do. You'll soon be able to follow the program and count how many movements there have been.

What's a "movement"? Most pieces of classical music have several parts. One part is called a "movement. (It's kind of like chapters in a book.) A movement is usually described by its speed or "tempo": "allegro" is fast, "andante" is kind of slow, "largo" is really slow and so on. Usually there's a stop at the end of each, but sometimes it's hard to tell because the movements can run together, say, adagio-allegro-moderato. Most of the time music compositions will end with a loud pretty clear "finale" (which is Italian for "finally it's over!). We've been talking a lot of Italian here, and the reason is that Italian is the language of music. Pretty soon you'll feel bi-lingual, as you probably already know Italian words like "pizza", "lasagna", "spaghetti", and "macaroni"!

Another pitfall for beginning concert goers is the "Grand Pause" which is kind of a trick stopping place that inevitably traps some enthusiastic listener (see Concert Characters). A grand pause occurs when suddenly the music just stops. Don't fall for it, though, because just as suddenly it starts back up again.
You will know it's really over when you see all the musicians put down their instruments and look expectantly at the audience. That's your cue to clap enthusiastically. They musicians will bow, then go off the stage, but keeping clapping, so they will come back again. Sometimes they will play an "encore", which is Italian for play it again, but usually they'll play something new that is shorter than what they played before.

Congratulations! You've made it through your first chamber music concert experience!