Piano Recital

[rgh55]

Any suggestions on the order of performers. I usually start with the youngest students (4 and 5 year olds)  first as they are usually beginners and end with the most advanced.  However, I have a 6 year old student who is playing Beethoven Sonatinas and I was going to place her further down on the program.  She is advanced past some of my older students. Any suggestions as to where to put her....age or level?   thanks!!

[pianisten1989]

Level. It would be fun for her to play with the older kids. And a reason to practise for everybody else.

[maykapar1]

I would also place her on the program based on her level.  She has earned a spot further down the program. And the older students will most definitely sit up and take notice, and possibly be inspired to do more. 

[fleetfingers]

I agree with the other answers. She has earned her spot at the end of the program.

[pianisten1989]

Go 'earning your spot'! Woho!

[lilla]

I've changed from strict leveling easy to most advanced.  I now organize the pieces carefully so that we start out with a reliable student with an upbeat piece, then we slowly "step" the pieces down until we're at the primer level- play a few students there - then slowly "step" up until we're at the advanced level.  There are a few instances where pieces are organized by style, for to group students together - for competition pieces, or a set of blues pieces.  This year I had to work in Pachelbel's Canon by introducing some waltzs and slower moving pieces so it wasn't just dropped in the middle of a bunch of jazz and presto pieces.  I've been doing this for several years and much prefer it to the leveled recital.  It gives the audience a more interesting programs and makes the students feel better about themselves as they are worked into a complete program of varied tempos and styles.  Hope you'll try it too.

[nanabush]

I would be careful with that though.  The 'older' kid who plays right before her might feel self conscious.  I have an 8 year old girl doing Grade 7 RCM, and I put her between two 10-11 year old kids doing Grade 4 and 6.  Also, if you have an adult who just started, they might feel silly playing in between two 7 year olds.  I've only done three recital so far, but I try to account for age and level. 

[lilla]

Acutally, it works beautifully.  The trick is "careful" sequencing.  I exhaustively go over the pieces, students personalities, type and level of music.  I make numerous changes and moves until the program just right.  It actually encourages the students and makes them feel more involved.  Each piece of music is just a slight difference from the preceding and following pieces.  I have never had a student feel uneasy or embarassed.  But then I do not have adults - and I make sure that all the high school students are grouped together towards the end.  It takes much effort and thought to address the needs of each students, but it is so worth it.  So much better than the obvious beginner to advanced option.  In that case you have even more problems with students of different abilities and ages feeling out of place.

[jacquie]

I wholeheartedly agree with you.  That is how I have always done my student recitals.   It is fun for the students and the audience as well.