Attend the University Orchestra Festival.

The format of an orchestral performance says so much about the type of music one is about to listen to. To start off with, most attendees are dressed in nice attire, and when you walk in the front doors of a performance hall the first thing to notice is how elegant the decorations are. Then upon entering the auditorium, one notices the stage. The audience sits in darkness as they experience the artists who are on the well-lit stage, which is the focal point of the room.   This exemplifies the significance of the stage to presentational music.

The environment surrounding an orchestral performance can be described as proper. The audience sits quietly as the musicians perform for them. It is acceptable for the onlookers to clap whenever the conductor comes out on to the stage, and at the end of every piece of music.  This behavior is anticipated, and a well-rehearsed concert is expected in return. If a performance were not at its best, the audience most likely would not act in such a refined manner. 

The music of a performance is extremely precise. This is very different from a participatory performance, where everyone, audience and artists, are expected to be a part of the routine.  In a participatory environment the audience and performers merge to become one unit. The purpose of participatory music is to create a social bond where everyone is involved and active.

 It can be argued that presentational music also builds a societal union in that everyone in the audience is there for the same reason; they enjoy listening to well-rehearsed music. Therefore social integration does take place at presentational concerts. Anyone who is an audience member cannot escape the beauty that comes from music that has taken so much time and preparation.  From that, people feel united with those around them, because they are now part of that experience. Another side could say that it limits integration because the audience is expected to be so well behaved, meaning that if one were to try to experience the bond that the artists feel by trying participate by singing or clapping along with the music, they would most likely be escorted out.

Overall, the social purpose of presentational music is essentially the same as the social purpose for participatory music. The music is expected to create a bond between everyone involved; the audience and artists alike.