Studios need to have recitals for a number of reasons. First it gives students a goal to head towards in their weekly lessons. It is one answer to the question “Why am I doing all this work?”. It is also important for the students to be pushed to perform for other people, address their performance nerve and fear issues and receive the kudos for the successful parts of that day. Music is a performance art. Help them set up the performance opportunities.
Let’s not forget that recitals are important because the parents and grandparents, neighbors and friends and their public school music teachers need to see “their” student perform. From the student’s point of view, remember that we all need to be successful at something. As a teacher you know that just performing in a recital means you are successful, no matter how your performance went on that day. Be sure you tell your students that.
Location
Have a list of locations which are appropriate for studio recitals. Suggestions include churches and community centers. You are looking for a location which is hopefully free of charge, has a piano and chairs. A stage is a bonus. You may have to bring in music stands.
If you want your students to have additional performing experiences contact senior living locations, Rotary or Kiwanis meetings, public markets, ask about lobby performances for musical events and as entertainment for local businesses or business meetings. Use your imagination. People love to hear kids play.
Date & Time
Select a date and time which is convenient for all the students involved in this recital and their parents, guardians, friends and relatives who are planning to come. Find out if a weekday evening, or maybe a weekend afternoon is better.
Programing
- Decide which students will perform on this recital.
- Decide who is going to play what.
- Plan the program far enough ahead so that all performers will have enough time to learn their parts before the recital date.
- Make sure that you and each student and accompanist have a copy of the music.
- Make sure time is planned for rehearsing with the accompanist or with any ensembles to work together.
- Put the music in order for the program from youngest to oldest or least experienced to most experienced. If possible insert pieces for flute alone as well as for flute and piano. Remember duets or other small ensembles are a welcome change from just flute and piano. You can be a part of duets or ensembles to add stability to the performance. Parents will love that their student got to perform with the teacher.
Programs
A printed program is valuable for the audience. Add in personal information about the students like that they play in band or they are an honor society member. Seeing your name, your fellow performers names and the music you played that day are great memories for students and their families. Remember to put the full date on the program!
You will have to guess at how many copies to make. Remember to take them on the day of and find a sibling or parent who is willing to pass them out.
Seating
You can choose to have students sit with parents and climb out of the audience or you can sit them in the front row or along the sides of the room for easier movement on and off the stage area. It really does not matter and once you have done it you will know what you like.
Accompanist
It is great to have names and contact information for a number of accompanists for your studio. They can be willing to accompany at different levels of difficulty. Be sure that accompanists have confirmation of date, time and location of dress rehearsals and recital.
Lighting
You will want to know how the lighting in the room works, where switches are located, and which ones are for the stage area and which ones can be turned off or dimmed over the audience. Assign someone to be in charge of any lighting changes if necessary, maybe for an intermission.
Recording
If someone is willing to do an audio or audio/video recording of the performance, it will be great for your studio, and student, archives. If a video is made, be sure that you have permission slips signed to use the student’s image for anyone performing.
Reception
It is customary to have a reception following a recital. Cookies or cookies and drinks are great. Ask for parents for help with this.
Photo Opportunity
Parents are always excited to get a picture of their student dressed for a concert, on stage after the concert, or with the teacher. Be sure to allow time for this and maybe even announce that there will be time for pictures following the performance.
Piano Tuning
Be sure to check with the venue concerning their piano tuning schedule and who is responsible for the cost.
Tuning Students for Performance
I have had success with tuning the students at the piano before the recital. A quick re-check when it is their turn on stage is usually fine.
Advertising
With the ease of e-mail you will be able to just send out an e-mail and suggest people forward it on to family and friends. Be sure to have other local music teachers on your list. A yearly check of e-mail addresses for new ones or old ones that need to be removed will be valuable at recital time. Many communities also have arts events available on-line. Check into electronic or local publications which will put your recital information in for free.
MC – Master of Ceremonies
On the day of the recital you are the best Master of Ceremonies. You can fill in interesting studio or music information, announce the next performer and generally keep things moving. As students mature, they should announce their name, their piece, the composer and maybe some interesting information regarding either the piece or the composer. It could be the composer’s country of origin or the music history period of the piece.