Although it was unfortunate that a Weber State University music professor needed to stop a concert in order to have removed a disabled girl who was disturbing the concert with noises, criticism of conductor Michael A. Palumbo is not fair.
A conductor has the right to do his job, even if the audience is not doing its job.
A concert of the type conducted at Weber State's Browning Center is not an appropriate venue for individuals who cannot control behavior that disrupts the performance. Palumbo should not have been forced to be put in a position where he had to demand the removal of the child who was creating the disturbance. It was not her fault; she suffers from a disability. Those adults with her should have removed the child from the concert as soon as Palumbo made the request.
There may be ways to prevent such an unfortunate occurrence again. Perhaps audience members can be directed to quiet rooms where the music can be heard? Perhaps Browning Center ushers or other personnel can be allowed to escort disruptive audience members out of the concert? However, Palumbo is again correct when he says that "noise interferes with the rest of the audience's enjoyment."
The center was packed. It's estimated that 1,200 people were there to enjoy the music. The conductor and musicians have a responsibility to make sure that a quality performance is given. The audience has a responsibility to make sure that everyone enjoys the performance. It's that simple.
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