She actually would not have a printed program, but would stand up between each student to introduce them, saying, Next may we hear from so-and-so? Or something like, Lets start out with a bang!! Arriving a few minutes early ensures you have a good view of the stage and can enjoy the music to the fullest. In all, what you say at the beginning of a recital should be as short as possible were talking 2 minutes or less! 6. We want you to look and feel absolutely wonderful in your recital attire. Thank you very much for sharing! Most students who learn to play the piano will encounter at least once, and possibly multiple times, the experience of preparing for piano recitals, concerts, auditions and exams. Sometimes I have to cut some words down a bit but other times I have to ask the parents for a bit more info. Were performing The Mutterwump Masterpiece tomorrow. Best of luck at your recital . First impressions are important but so are last impressions. He did video of the whole recital and put it on a YouTube channel so that far away grandparents could watch. At piano recitals, students master musical pieces and showcase their skills by playing individually for an audience. Planning a Piano Recital: Reserve a venue. (i.e. Students can perform fun pieces, such as "The Knight's Tale" by Catherine Rollin and "King's March" by Jane Bastien. Apr. Ha! Well share our best tips for attending a piano recital. As a general rule, dont ever leave in the middle of a recital. I have a question. I play by ear. Is there another group coming in and everyone has to be out by 6pm? This year for our end of year Recital I decided to do a theme of A Night at the Movies instead of a Christmas theme as I have a lot of different ethnic groups/religions and last year ( my first Piano recital) we did a Christmas recital and I didnt think it was appropriate (although it was fine) 3. I want to say thank you to parents for investing in music as part of your childs life. Thank you! Spring Recital is when I give out awards. This was super super helpful!! Students work hard to practice one or more pieces to perform in front of an audience. Emanuel Ax performed a recital at Carnegie Hall Thursday night. I will definitely choose a theme again next year! Here are three things I always include this is just to get your own expectation train rolling! To congratulate a pianist for a job well done, you can give them a gift after the performance. Some are recording the piano recital live. It lets the parents in your audience see what their children can become and reminds them of where their children used to be. If you get nervous talking in front of groups of people, make yourself a notecard with a short list of things to remember to say. I never knew what to say! All of these students have worked hard this year. I hope this is helpful to some of you, and I hope you all have (or have had) successful piano recitals this spring! Every musical journey begins with a single note. Everyone loves these group photos and I have saved all these group photos through the years. Great to know there are lot of new teachers (like me) who can benefit from it. However, I , personally, think the speech is a bit long to open a recital. After all, the members of the audience mostly parents and grandparents are there to hear the kids play, not to hear you give an long, eloquent speech. Should the concert last 1 to 1 1/2 hours? Its also nice for prospective parents to see when they come for a first interview. The students at the end of the recital worked just as hard to prepare their pieces as the students at the beginning, so I would ask that you remain until the end of the program to make sure all of the musicians experience the full audience they deserve.2. Thank you Wendy for this lovely advice about recitals. The recital may occur in the piano teachers home or a concert hall. =) Just keep it short and sweet, something like this: Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the time to post this. This gives me even more positive things to say than my standard, Thanks for coming speech. You dont want your ringtone to have a spotlight on the track. If I need to I will chop it down a bit because I dont want it to be lengthy. This is to cover their trophy, which gives them a little momento of every recital. So I decided that I, the teacher, would introduce each student as they came to the paino. I highlight their high school career, how many years they took lessons and something I will always remember about them. [applause] Thank you all for coming! What should you say to begin and end a piano recital? The audience enjoys laughing a little here and there wakes them up a bit. This is really helpful!! Three students will be performing pieces from the book, while others will perform a variety of works that we will weave into the narrative. We do have a few gluten-free options, which are labeled for those of you who are gluten intolerant. I hate talking at the recitals and never know what to say. A devoted teacher and lifelong learner, she teaches students of all ages at her independent piano studio near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Besides welcoming them, what sorts of messages are good? Thirdly after the time for photos, please wander over to the fellowship room where there are punch and refreshments for you all to enjoy. I hope to someday be able to do that as well. I was hoping to add something informal and a little silly in the program note for each student this yearbut Im having troubles coming up with something. Thanks for signing up! It is a time, energy, and resource commitment to bring your child to lessons, to make them practice, and to do so faithfully every week. First of all: did everyone recieve a recital program who would like one? Im going to add elements from your opening speech this year! Andside note. How long do you think recitals should be? Thanks so much for your advice. Is it acceptable to play without speaking in between some of the songs? Choose the music that will be performed. What you wrote is my speech on my recitals for my students. Thank you much! Youre great! And Im a photographer.Why I didnt think to do this is crazy! When were finished handing out trophies, everyone is already positioned for a great group shot. So I dont do the speech anymore. Thank you so much!! Hi Joy, before becoming the piano teacher my students had another teacher and since she got another employment opportunity and was needing somebody to replace her she trusted in my talent and Im now teaching those precious kids. In this way, speaking, for them, is optional. I love the idea of everyone sharing their ideas and experiences, so I am grateful to have found your site. If you are running late, wait until a music piece is over before you enter. Love the suggestions. I collect info from their parents about the students other interest, pets they have, special school awards, fun trips theyve had during the year, hobbies, etc. In doing this, you keep your audiences expectations in check. If the recital was a competition, the winner may be announced. Students, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful performances with us. Find Books 1 and 2 on Amazon and listen to sound samples below. There is a real vulnerability in performing, and letting students know that you see and appreciate their bravery lets them know that you see them. The couple each posted photos of Zia taken during the event on their separate social media accounts. Thanks for sharing. Im a professional singer as well should I sing a song? This can be a slightly intimidating thing as a young teacher. Recital is already tomorrow, oh Lord help me! Your spring piano recital is one of only a handful of times when your entire studio population is gathered under one roof. I keep my intro very very short and sweet. Speaking at the beginning of the recital is my LEAST favorite thing to do. You stop putting yourself downif you do something "wrong" (we're only human) If you'd like more support and encouragement from a community of like-minded educators, sign up to TopMusicPro. Fun! Please remove one of them. Bringing attention to the variety of students in your piano studio has a second purpose as well. Do I mention their previous teacher at all during the Christmas recital? I think it is wonderful when teachers perform a piece at the beginning or end of the recital, so I would definitely encourage you to do that. I have a printout of everything I want to say but only glance at it every little bit to make sure I dont leave out anything important. [Insert any special information parents need to know before leaving] Example: Please remember to drop your compliment cards into the baskets by the doors. If you get nervous talking in front of groups of people, make yourself a notecard with a short list of things to remember to say. The thought of performing in public is terrifying to most adults. For example, youll want to say something like, The children in my studio completed 357 pieces this year! as opposed to, Sarah earned a silver medal in her Grade 6 exam. And we, Any fellow Tumble Leaf fans out there? Below is a sample, fictitious welcome speech that you can use to guide the writing of your own speech. A group photo is a great way to keep em in their seats until the last performer too! The student is bringing music, the most sublime and beautiful of art forms, to life. Tell them that! Thanks so much for sharing . This speech takes about 3-4 minutes so it might seem longer written out than it does to listen to it . That was actually an answer to prayer because I have been a music / piano teacher since 15 and Im now 37 and for a whole year because of moving I hadnt had the chance of having my own music studio. I love the content you share. Ha!) Maggie, do you have a pre-printed certificate of accomplishment that you purchase, or do you design your own? Theres a lot riding on their commitment to lessons, and recognizing how much they had to do with this milestone for their student is important. Thank you! Perhaps even more impressive is that every student has composed at least 4 original pieces of their own! I list what number recital it is for each student. Wed love to see pictures/videos if you get a chance. Thank you so much. Your email address will not be published. Happy to hear it Andrea (and great name by the way ) Yes, a post-recital speech is also a great way to recognize individuals, hand out awards etc. Hi Gaylinn Have fun at your upcoming recital it sounds like an awesome theme! Id like to add another idea which you guys suggested some time back. It seems more common in Europe to present flowers to male performers, but even that is usually after a solo recital. Early in Justin Cronin's new novel, Proctor Bennett, the titular ferryman, attends a piano recital and finds the experience akin to "watching . Youre a seasoned pro Patsy! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Color In My Piano is proud to be ad-free! Hi Janice Im not too computer savvy so I order my piano certificates on line. And yes, most concerts typically last between 1 and 1 1/2 hours. Joy Morin, MM, is a teacher, pianist, composer, speaker, and writer of a blog at ColorInMyPiano.com. Something I do at my recitals is gather a list from the parents ahead of time which includes the students other hobbies, school or band accomplishments, school trips, pets and their names, funny moments, other activities. I can see how doing this would be an affirming thing for both the students and the family. Is it better to mix ability levels in a recital or have an advanced recital and a more beginning recital? The students are also bringing food for the reception that represents the characters in their poems that they learned. I held a recital last Madonna took her new flame Josh Popper out for an 'amazing' piano recital on Tuesday night in New York City.. These tracks can help a student have mementos from the big day. In this case, your customer is the piano parent. Recitals Give Recognition. I dont think your audience will think you are showing off. They will just think you want to share some of your favorite music! These are compliment cards. This design covers the entire surface of your Old Piano with flowers to make it really beautiful and magical. Repurposed Old Piano into an Outdoor Flower Dcor. So, here are some ideas for how to dress for a piano recital. Everything You Should Know About a Piano Recital. People lead very busy lives these days so they can be forgiven if they dont remember your practice incentives during the fall or your CD release parties at Christmas. I have a large number of students in my studio, with three one-hour recitals each Christmastime (all on the same afternoon), and I always have everyone staying to the end of their session. When my daughter plays well, she feels happy and proud of herself. There is a lot of planning that goes into a recital venue, repertoire, parent communication, the list goes on! "Flow" seems to be the word of the month right now. GBY. ), and for following through on a commitment that takes time and energy out of their own busy schedule. A world-premiere event Sounds amazing. I have two chairs in the front row with a reserved for parent recording sign if you would like to use one while your child is performing. So much of the information on your site has been very helpful. ? This prevents too much restlessness and they cant possibly leave until the whole thing is over. Thank you for helping me to organize my thoughts for my very first piano recital speech! If youre unsure whether the piece is done, look at your program for cues. 3) After photo time, refreshments. One year at our Spring recital I took pictures of the students playing, edited them, added the date, framed them ($1 store frames) and that was their year end gift. Joy, your insight into recital prep is invaluable! Wonderful Jennifer! I truly appreciate ALL your ideas, inputs and will be using some of them. Youre so welcome Linda! I want them to feel like this is a special moment! Perfect. This year, I have delegated a student who is accomplished at oral interpretation to start the show with the story of The Pop Waltz Prophecy. That will be the theme of the show, with narratives all the way through. If your family likes to celebrate accomplishments, have a treat or special thing to look forward to after when the performance is over. These performances can motivate students of any age to practice piano and do their best. Happy to make it a bit easier for you Brecklyn not everyone likes public speaking but having a solid plan (and even a script) really does help . I also employed a couple of my teen students to help keep my little Wunderkeys students in step. Hi everyone, and welcome to the [your studio name] [theme] Recital (e.g. They are really enthusiastic and we have a fantastic range of Pieces. We send out weekly newsletters with articles, new music notifications, free webinar opportunities and free teaching resources! Id like to say thank you to all the parents and grandparents here today for helping and supporting the students all year long with their practicing and for taking them to lessons. Ive never considered introducing each student at recitals, but I really like this idea! Thank you for taking your time to read and comment. Do you dread coming up with the right words? if more laid back and routine performance ok to speak on, but i would only do so if you offer something really juice or if the pieces or composer is not well know or you have a personal anecdote or connection to the work. Every teacher and recital looks different but I hope this gives you ideas for knowing what to say to begin and end a piano recital! While your gushing about your students, youll want to make sure that your gushes include references to the awesome things that have happened in your piano studio over the course of the year. When you are sincere, the performer will feel appreciated, and your praise will be more meaningful. Thanking the judges and sponsors is also common. 3. Everyone always thinks its funny and now I cant leave that part out. Parents, family, and friends -thank you for spending your evening with us. Great idea Natalie its always a good plan to eliminate whats not working for you or not making you happy thanks for sharing your solution! Thank you! Make sure they know. Senior also honored if they do not wish to do an entire senior recital. Learning the piano requires many, many hours of solo practice. The Ultimate Resources for Teaching Piano, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Here Is The Teen Piano Music That Will Rock Your Next Recital, A Foot-Tappin St. Patricks Day Improv Activity For Your Piano Students, How To Increase Your Studio Population Without Increasing Your Teaching Time, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDAEYw-wXco&list=PLQugnKCF3WINetfIgNQcjBhW0MNjfl1P9&index=1, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_THCBf4_D5Y&list=PLQugnKCF3WINetfIgNQcjBhW0MNjfl1P9&index=2. We couldnt have done it without you. I LOVE this! At the very least, reducing nervousness will alleviate stress and fright. Or, wait until you hear several people start to clap and clap along. I have been playing piano since I was 9 years old, and I am now 55. It lets the parents in your audience see what their children can become and reminds them of where their children used to be. First, I created a playlist called "2020 Virtual Piano Recital.". This gift is appropriate for both men and women performers. Thanks for sharing:). The parents wanted the audience to be able to see their hands so one of the dads set up a big screen and a camera on the keyboard. I have one senior performing this Friday and I have to introduce her for about 30 seconds. I have the same reaction when I can finally sit back and watch the kids perform . But, asthis may not be the reality in yourstudio, its a good idea to set the record straight in terms. Your email address will not be published. Bringing attention to the variety of students in your piano studio has a second purpose as well. Ive been told frequently that parents really enjoy the extra info. You are more than welcome to take any or all of it to help you craft your own! Many of my students play a band instrument as well, so my more advanced students will be learning the art of collaborating with them. In piano history, Franz Liszt gave the uptight concerts of the era a more relaxed air. Occasionally, a student will make a dedication or say something I left out about the selection, but most simply smile and play, and its wonderful. Pianists may spend several weeks preparing for this special event. Discuss summer lessons briefly too so that they WANT to keep the YAY going through those months and be ready for fall events. When you attend a piano recital, you want to dress appropriately for the event. Piano teachers can certainly benefit by your input, energy and sincerity. Just some thoughts. I have agonised over this for many years and I guess this now works for me! I hardly have to look at those faces that I love and hardly have to think about how proud of them I am before I start to cry; despite all the times I practice my welcome speech in the shower. Wonderful ideas on what to say at a recital. Each and every child here today has shown incredible growth and progress and they should feel very proud of what they have achieved. When students are given the opportunities to take part in recitals, they are given the chance to feel a sense of achievement. Wed love to have you a part of the ComposeCreate community. I read this while that student is coming up to perform. Today is a celebration; its the very first recital for some students and its the 15th recital for others! Ive never had trouble keeping families around for the entire recital. I will defiantly be using your guidance to help me write a great speech this spring. This is wonderful and my piano recital is this Sunday. Lovely comments Michelle! I would talk about my reason for doing the performance, the reason I chose the pieces, and definitely talk about your love for music and your excitement to have your audience members present that day. Delegating some responsibility was my best choice ever and I will never go back! At the moment everyone is so caught up in whats about to happen, that they might not hear what youre saying. Thanks. diary | 73 views, 5 likes, 0 loves, 3 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Tampa: Concert - "Diary: Songs From. So spot on! As they adjust the bench, try out the pedals, etc., I give a couple of fun and interesting tidbits about the student, and announce their piece/pieces. Prepare awards/gifts for the students. Do I just introduce myself and give them the testimony of how I began playing piano? Finally, Id like to take a moment to thank the parents. Performing in a recital is a way of rewarding them and recognising their efforts. I then present each senior with a presentation bouquet (a single rose with babys breath, greenery, and a pretty bow boys get one, too). Its certainly one thing that affects your studio image. Pianists may spend several weeks preparing for this special event. But also for bringing their student to lessons, making them practice (even if its not as often as wed like! I am truly grateful for the opportunity to get to know your children and to work with them each and every week; they continue to amaze me with their intelligence, their energy and their sense of humor. I almost always host a small reception after the recital. During recital, I call the student to their instrument and as they are walking up and preparing I tell the audience these things about this student. However, this I found turned into a public speaking thing and the students hated it! Thank you, that was VERY helpful Joy, If you want to really impress your studio parents, remind them of how proud you are of their children for simply having the courage to get up on stage and perform music for an audience. Then will we continue the order as shown in your program. If you want to say something about the piece you are playing so the audience understands/appreciates it more, I wouldnt hesitate to do that too. Ideally, plan and secure your attire no later than 3 weeks prior to the recital. I love this speech Andrea! A piano recital is a time for music students to show off what they learn in their lessons. I can see clearly now the rain is gone. "We've been experiencing setbacks and curveballs in the past few weeks, which is normal in life. Set the date and invite the student and the parents. When I did in the past, the parents thought it was too long. Thanks, Wendy. It has been more and more challenging for me to come up with something engaging and different every year. As you can see, you don't find the words, "Don't forget to go slow!" "Don't forget that one spot you practiced hard on!" or "You did okyou didn't get that one part right, but it was still good." Words truly speak volumes and can have a huge impact on a child's life, especially at a vulnerable time like a performance can be. But goodbyes always feel so final. !..Welcome to the Topmusic.co YouTube channel! When you bring this to their attention, they will be that much more appreciative of the efforts your piano students are making and understanding of nervous slip-ups that might occur. The final wardrobe choice is up to you! View all posts by Joy Morin. Every year we take them but I just put them in with the years activities in a folder and there they sit. Check out the Simply Piano app to better understand what it takes to learn piano. Public speaking can really be a challenge for some, but Ive always found that having a solid plan of what to say really helps . Thank you for recognizing the value of music in the life of a child. I hope I wont be to nervous tmrw. I agree, they need their team photo and glory moment. In order to remind people to turn off their cell phones, I have my cell phone ring with the ringtone hail to the chief. They know its expected. I also give a very small gift (dollar store or pound store value) to those that perform and they dont get it until they come up for their certificate of accomplishment. Sign up to get blog updates delivered to your email inbox. You dont want to interrupt the recital after it is in full swing. Thank you for sharing all this valuable knowledge! New on the blog: 5 Steps for Successful Interview, Pianist in the making. Im curious if other teachers perform solos at their recitals. Hi Leigh Funny story my own piano teacher would read the exact same script every single recital (even written on the same piece of paper). I just approach a couple of local businesses and ask if they would like to provide a giveaway for my event, and this adds even more excitement to my recitals! At a piano recital, you can be a fan of someone special to you. However if you happen to take photos /videos of your child with others and would like to share them on any social media platform, we need to be mindful of privacy issues and obtain consent from the relevant parent before sharing. Some recitals are laid-back and casual, while others are fancier. 2) After recital, photo time. Im wondering if you could give me some speech tips/ideas on what to say to a high school senior student recital.. Ill be hosting Ballet and Musical Recital for the first time. Its great!! Can you give me any sample script? For More On Effective Practice: Creating a Culture of Practice In Your Home and Peeling Away The Piano Practice Layers In The Weeks Leading Up To The Recital Recital music needs special preparation. If you feed them, they will stay! This part is absolutely crucial for having a recital that you feel was successful. Allowing audience members to put a personality behind the studio their child or friend attends every week is important! And, most importantly, they will see that music lessons can have incredible value in the lives of theirchildren, beyond the learningof music itself which once again, will result in more piano students coming back year after year after year. Youll find cards with students names on them, and pens under your chair. This could be the most important aspect of any welcome speech because, if carefully crafted, your appreciation can be used to highlight the importance of music in the lives of children and ensure an incredible re-registration rate.
