Recitals

[jpianoflorida]

so what is everyone planning for recitals this year?   My students are performing at an art museum each weekend for a few months.   I take different students each weekend.       not sure if we are doing our annual formal recital or not this year.    Last year we did a benefit for a local homeless shelter.  We will do our usual nursing home recitals in the summer again this year. It's a tradition.         I love the idea of doing different kinds of recitals and performances instead of the traditional formal church recital I use to do every year.

[brahms4me]

I have a spring recital in June where the students present their favorite works and awards are presented.  Then we have a pot/luck bar-b-que/swim party afterwards.  This gives everyone a chance to visit and just have fun.  We just completed our recital hall so I'm anxious to use it.

I will also be entering some of my students in some competitions around the area and state so it will be a busy 6 months.

[jpianoflorida]

what kind of place do you teach? music store? conservatory?   I'm going to start a new thread about teaching locations!

[brahms4me]

I teach in my studio at home.  We just moved in here almost 2 years ago and there was plenty of room to expand . . . so we did . . . and we are still  . . . 

While going to college I 'cut my teeth' by teaching in a music store.  Then I figured out that I could do the paperwork, etc. myself so I've taught privately ever since.  I have taught in some colleges and universities in SO CAL also but now prefer to stay at home and teach from here where there is more freedom of thought. 

[lenkaolenka]

We have recitals twice a year.
I use to tell my students, that recitals are nothing compare to life. Our life suppose to be a recital and we have to be ready to play anywhere to spread love for music and make music making contagious.

At our recitals students volunteer their performances.
They have rights to start over, if they are not satisfied with their performance
They get toys (party favorites) after recital for each piece they play
I never criticize their performance afterwards
It is a party and joy

[ashleyspiano]

I need suggestions on good (free) places to have a recital. The local community center is too expensive to rent! If anyone has suggestions it will be greatly appreciated.

[jpianoflorida]

I need suggestions on good (free) places to have a recital. The local community center is too expensive to rent! If anyone has suggestions it will be greatly appreciated.

contact your local nursing home.    also, try a museum or art gallery.   retirement homes.   any students go to churches with nice facilities?   i've had recitals at all these places. and "think outside the box".   look around your community and see what's out there.   how about a mason's lodge?  or a mall? or local piano store? so many possibities.

[brahms4me]

You may want to team up with another teacher in the area and you could both pay half of any rental price.  I've teamed with other teachers and it was a great experience for all concerned.  Just make sure you both have an equal say in everything from where to hold the recital to creating and scheduling the program pieces.  Its really easy for a dominant person to take over. 

[hyrst]

Sounds like there are some very busy people here - and some great fun experiences for students.

The last recital I had, the kids had such a great time they were asking for another one the next weekend.  LOL !  :-)  Several students have since performed at school and other important situations, now much more enthusiastic about playing for others.  It's great!  I think this recital was one of the most important experiences for the students last year. 

I haven't had enough available adults to have a senior recital yet.

I plan to do another formal recital at the end of this year - I don't think the kids would allow otherwise!  At my formal recital, we all dress up in formal wear and have awards and ceritificates for all the kids for their work during the year.  I have special awards for kids who play their own compositions.  They all play whatever pieces they choose, but it is entered in a programme and they practice presentation and dealing with nerves and everything.  It's a big thing.  After the performances, we have party games so the kids can share together and then we have party food.  Parents are given formal invitations and friends are invited. 

Last year I held the recital in my studio - it has a large open space and there were about 40 people attended, so we could fit.  I might have to rent a local hall in the future - but it is so much work already and definitely easier at home because I am unused to all the organisation.  I will see in the middle of the year.

Besides this, I intend to have less formal recitals 3 times in the other terms.  These will  be to allow students get to know each other and to play in front of non-family members and to choose a few more pieces to get to performance standard.

One day I hope to play at nursing homes and things like that - but it's too much yet.
 

[ashleyspiano]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have 50 students so I have to have at least 2 recitals on one day and it is a very big ordeal. I have had smaller recitals before and also encourage the kids and parents to have them play wherever they go since playing is for life not just for recitals. I drive to my students homes and have a good business in the area and they pay a reasonable rate. So most are happy with what they are getting!

[jpianoflorida]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have 50 students so I have to have at least 2 recitals on one day and it is a very big ordeal. I have had smaller recitals before and also encourage the kids and parents to have them play wherever they go since playing is for life not just for recitals. I drive to my students homes and have a good business in the area and they pay a reasonable rate. So most are happy with what they are getting!

oh also.     where i live you can use the auditorium of schools free of charge(well, might have to pay the janitor to let you in).  It's actually up to the principal of each school, might want to check that out.

[penguinlover]

I am planning on having a recital at the end of the year with just me and my most advanced student. We will have it at a church.  It will be partly a Christmas one, but classical as well.  We will play several duets, two pianos, along with several solo pieces for each of us.  I am looking forward to this as it will be my first of this nature,  but it puts pressure on me to practice to be good enough to play for people!

[brahms4me]

I am planning on having a recital at the end of the year with just me and my most advanced student. We will have it at a church. It will be partly a Christmas one, but classical as well. We will play several duets, two pianos, along with several solo pieces for each of us. I am looking forward to this as it will be my first of this nature, but it puts pressure on me to practice to be good enough to play for people!

Good for you in wanting to perform!   Your students will love hearing you play.

I have found that one or two concerts a year not only keeps my technique and repertoire up, but also gives my students the opportunity to see their teacher go through the same things they deal with.  I love hearing my teacher play and that always inspires me to do better.   

[penguinlover]

Brahms2me,
   Thanks for the encouragement!  I hope to do well, especially since I am starting to prepare now.  I live in So Cal too, it's getting cold here tonight - maybe it will snow.

[brahms4me]

Yep - gettin' mighty cold already and we just might get a few flurries.  Now that would be fun!   

[pizno]

I started teaching 6 students in September and we haven't had a recital yet.  We have one planned, though, for next weekend.  It's billed as a house concert, and will be in my living room.  I want to make it as fun and comfortable as possible.  Maybe we'll do some 'loosening up' activity first, dancing around the room or something, then the kids will practice bowing, announce their piece, and by all means if they want to play their piece a second time, they can.  I will let them know that for the spring recital we will work toward perfection a little more.  Then we'll have cookies!  6 kids playing beginner pieces is not going to take very long!

Pizno

[penguinlover]

I did a Christmas recital in my home a few years ago.  It went over really well, it was pretty low key.  My house was really crowded though!  My next recital with my student will be at his church.  They have two pianos there, and keep them tuned. We plan on doing several duets, two pianos.