Going to a music concert can be a great family experience if you prepare for it in the right way.

Here are a few suggestions: 

Choose the concert carefully in terms of what music is being performed. There are all kinds of classical concerts offered every season and maybe a "light" classics concert such as one that is highlighting the music of John Williams (he composed Star Wars, Harry Potter) would be most appropriate for some families. You know your child best, and the goal is to have a positive experience so that he/she will look forward to going to another concert in the future. 

Attending a concert where a young soloist is being featured can be a very motivating experience for a young person, especially if he is already studying that instrument. For example, if your child takes piano lessons, look for a concert where a young pianist will be featured. Look for concerts especially designed for families. I have several listed on this site.

Listen to the music with your children before you go to the concert so you will be familiar with it. Classical music is much more fun to listen to when you recognize the themes.

Consider going backstage to talk to the artists, conductor, and orchestra members. You might even want to get an autograph or two.

Go out for dinner or ice cream after the concert. Try to end the outing on a positive note.

Talk to your child about concert etiquette before arriving at the concert hall. Some important things to remember are: 
-No talking, whispering, or noise making while the musicians are performing.
-Turn off cell phones, pagers, and watch alarms.
-No flash photography.
-Do not walk or move around while the musicians are performing.
-Applaud at appropriate times (wait until all the movements or sections of the piece have been performed) - when in doubt, wait for everyone else to start applauding.

If you must leave early, wait until there is a break in the music and try to leave quickly and quietly. But if your child starts screaming, leave immediately. Plan ahead for this, if you know your child might have a problem, sit on the aisle to facilitate an easy get-away.

Talk to your child (before the concert) about what to do if he gets bored. Some ideas:
-Close your eyes and make up a story or picture that goes with the music you are hearing.
-Ask yourself, "What memory does this music make me think of?"
-Watch the conductor as he cues (brings in) the various sections of the orchestra.
-Watch the double bassists' hands move up and down the neck of their instruments. They have to make big motions very quickly just to change the pitch on their huge instruments.
-Watch the percussionist as he moves from 1 instrument to another and listen for the sound as he hits it.
-Don't bring along a game-boy or coloring book for the child to keep himself amused.

It seems like a lot of rules, but basically there is just one rule - Enjoy the concert, but at the same time, don't distract other members of the audience from enjoying the concert. Remember the person you are trying not to disturb is (not the orchestra, but) the person sitting right beside you - or in front of you - or behind you.

If you have an etiquette question, e-mail me and I might post it. If you have an etiquette horror story, send me that too, and I'll post it.