Coordinated and Cool
I’ve stopped having the students dress up for our recitals and now order matching t-shirts that go along with our recital theme. They love the anticipation of what the new shirts will look like from year to year, and they love having something to wear later to show their friends they play the piano. But most importantly, they feel like part of a “team” on recital day when they show up in shirts that match their piano studio friends. Sure makes for cute recital pictures, too, especially when they’re playing ensembles! Some of my recent themes have been: My Favorite Things, Keep Calm and Play Disney, Just Play It (Nike type swoosh using an eighth note flag), and Splish Splash Piano Bash.
Composition Book Release Party
This semester we have worked on composing our own pieces for one of the songs in our recital. Using Notion for iPad, my students have all Written their composed pieces. I plan to make a book of their compositions to have available at the recital.
Classics of our Times
This year our motto is “Classics of our Times.” The students are going to perform Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Pachelbel. In between these they will be playing short exerpts from famous primetime TV shows of the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s with door prizes given for the audience member who guesses the theme correctly. Last year we did TV commercials from the 2000s.
Halloween and Feelings
My students dress in costume every Halloween. We use spider webs and a giant spider inside the grand piano. It makes the performances much more interesting for the parents and grandparents! Once I had each child write a short description about how their piece made them feel.
Show Your Stuff
This year we are doing our recital in two segments. In the first each student will play a typical recital song; classical music, curriculum music and such. The second segment will be presented in a more “show” kind of atmosphere. The students are playing movie themes, musical music, popular songs and the like. I have encouraged the students to add props of any kind. One teenage girl who is playing Beauty and the Beast music will place a single red rose in vase on the piano. Another student plans to wear a scarecrow costume while playing a Wizard of Oz medley. It is up to the student (and parents) on what and if they choose a prop. The recital is in two days so I am excited to see how it comes across.
The Dance of Life
My students and parents and residents at the local nursing home really enjoyed our most recent recital. I teach beginner and intermediate students so a regular recital with 22 students each playing 2 selections can get really long and tedious. During this last recital we added some acting with our program and played familiar pieces that everyone could sing along with on the second playing. The audience loved the kids dressed up in costumes and riding stick horses for “Home, Home on the Range” and the children acting out the actions to “London Bridge is Falling Down” and “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” We didn’t have singing on every piece but it added a little audience participation periodically. The theme was “Music, the Dance of Life.” and included a short narration for various seasons of our lives. It walked through a persons life and showed how music plays such an important role in our lives. This was our biggest hit ever with both parents and residents of the nursing home.
2 style=”padding-top: 50px; padding-bottom: 5px; border-bottom: 1px solid;”>Short Speech
I have had students give a short speech on the composer involved in their selected piece, before they play it. This informs and piques the interest of the audience and provides excellent practice in public speaking for my students.
Show Your Stuff
This year we are doing our recital in two segments. In the first each student will play a typical recital song; classical music, curriculum music and such. The second segment will be presented in a more “show” kind of atmosphere. The students are playing movie themes, musical music, popular songs and the like. I have encouraged the students to add props of any kind. One teenage girl who is playing Beauty and the Beast music will place a single red rose in vase on the piano. Another student plans to wear a scarecrow costume while playing a Wizard of Oz medley. It is up to the student (and parents) on what and if they choose a prop. The recital is in two days so I am excited to see how it comes across.
Group Lesson Prep
During group lessons (held Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr) each student performs a piece similar to recital: announcing piece and name, performing, bowing at the end to applause. In Dec and May, we have Mini Recitals that are just students where they perform as if in a recital. By the time they actually perform in THE recital, the mechanics of the recital are ingrained already. Much easier for all!!!
Compliment Cards
This year I created “compliment cards.” Had a stack of them along with pens right next to the recital programs for people to grab as they came in. I then instructed everyone to pick 2 or 3 students to “brag” on and gave them ideas of things to listen and look for as the students performed. It was a huge success! I then shared these comments with the students in their lesson the following week. This was a big hit for all!:)
Once A Month
We will try having intimate, once a month, themed piano recitals this coming year. They will either be centered on one composer, one style, one country, animals, dances, or other themes. We will assign each participating family to bring a print of a work of art or a sample of an art project the child created for the occasion. The artwork or creation will be related to the recital theme. Another contribution will be a poem or children’s book which will be read by the child or a sibling, which again echoes the musical theme. Ideally, we will have no more than four or five students involved in each month’s Art Night. Families will sign up in the early fall for a particular month so that preparations can begin early. These will be in addition to our year end recital in the Spring. I would like to document each evening so that the entire studio can watch and enjoy all of the different Art Night Recitals.
Music On The Lawn
We did a “Music on the Lawn” in our 5-acre back yard, complete with potluck picnic (we grilled meat and furnished beverages), stations for croquet, badminton, hula hoops, bubbles, and scooper toys. My husband did a really bad magic act, we had a puppet show, and – of course – all the students performed a piece. We fixed a make-shift stage and hooked up the digital piano to a speaker system. It was wonderful!!!
Sew Cool
I am a seamstress so created costumes for each student to wear in our recital. Theme was The Romantic era and costumes and numbers were all geared to that. Students also each gave a recitation prior to playing their numbers citing their number, it’s composer, and a fact or two about him/her or the Romantic era. Very successful recital.
Arrrr Ye Ready?
At every spring recital I announce the theme to my summer end of the year piano party. This year my theme was pirates. I had 4 of my teenage students secretly leave the recital close to the end and get dressed up in their pirate costume. As I announced the theme, all 4 pirates walked on stage with smoke surrounding them (smoke machine) and pirates of the carribean music playing in the background. The 4 pirates put on a small skit inviting all the kids to the party the next week. I also handed out messages in a bottle along with an eyepatch. The kids loved it and were really excited about coming to the party. This also gave my older students a chance to be in on the surprise and help with the party.
Use Your Imagination!
My students chose the theme “Imagination” and our program was designed by them with their own drawings. They played songs they composed and I opened the recital by playing and singing “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Parents helped out with colorful decorations.
Duets and Dreamsicles
After a very intense winter piano olympics challenge, I decided to have a less intense spring recital. Since one of the challenges for the olympics was ‘ice dancing’ duets, I decided to gear the recital around duets. Each of the students learned a duet to play with me and we called the recital ‘Duets and Dreamsicles’. You guessed it! After the children played their pieces, we ate dreamsicles. The children as well as the parents loved it. Several of the parents told me that it was the sweetest recital they had ever attended.
Divide it Up
For my Spring Recital, I divide it into three section. One section is always Classical Music, one is something like Popular Music Today or Popular Music from Grandma’s Era or Mom and Dad’s High School Years. The Last Section is something fun like Disney songs and sometimes I don’t put the name of the song on the recital bulletin, the kids make their parents and audience guess the name of their song. The kids love it.
One year, I taught five kids from two families that were homeschooled. The mothers decided to use the lessons as a class they could use towards graduation. They asked me if I would teach a more advanced theory class and so I began 2 years of weekly theory. At the Spring recital, the students got to play one of the pieces they had composed. I was pretty proud of them, but the parents were over the top with pride. It was fun.
Divide it Up
For my Spring Recital, I divide it into three section. One section is always Classical Music, one is something like Popular Music Today or Popular Music from Grandma’s Era or Mom and Dad’s High School Years. The Last Section is something fun like Disney songs and sometimes I don’t put the name of the song on the recital bulletin, the kids make their parents and audience guess the name of their song. The kids love it.
One year, I taught five kids from two families that were homeschooled. The mothers decided to use the lessons as a class they could use towards graduation. They asked me if I would teach a more advanced theory class and so I began 2 years of weekly theory. At the Spring recital, the students got to play one of the pieces they had composed. I was pretty proud of them, but the parents were over the top with pride. It was fun.
Light it up with Literature
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We did a children’s literature recital! This was so fun to do music that correlated with a Children’s book. For example: “I Won’t Grow Up’ from Peter Pan, or “Let It Go” from the Snow Queen (yes, Disney was a huge help!)
Wise Prizes
I always give out some sort of trophy for participation, a balloon, and a flower with a message on it that the student gives to their parent which says thank you for their efforts and encouragement throughout the piano season. At the Christmas recital I give out something smaller like a homemade craft, ornament, etc. I also keep a selection of my own trophies that I earned as a child on display in the studio. This year I also started showing my kids youtube performances of other kids playing their songs to show different interpretations of the same music.
Food Creations
My students LOOOVE to make their own creations to bring to our reception afterward…this helps retain the audience and gives them something to look forward to after the nerve-wracking part is over! Lots of music food ideas in Pinterest!
Cheering Squad
Cheering Squad! The parents (families) were challenged to “out cheer” the performer section (provided with noise party makers) after each student played. The result! A totally different group of people excited about and committed to music!
Perfect Poetry
Make it Personal! – The part my students – and parents and family! – look most forward to is the Recital Poem at the end of the Recital!!! After everyone has performed I recite a poem, one verse or two, per student to describe our year together!! They all work hard to wait and see what specific thing will be highlighted in the year end poem…. and if I DARE suggest I may not have time …. well, let’s just say ,… I’ve been up some late nights right before the recital!!! I generally also take the most favourite song selection and write or re-write words to it and perform it to begin the recital – not that I’m a soloist! – but they all love the personal lyrics!
Fresh Air Fun
I bring my digital piano out onto my deck and have a summer outdoor recital in August. I encourage students to dress casually and bring a pot-luck dish to share after the recital. Family and friends bring blankets, beach or stadium chairs, beach umbrella (for a sunny day) and spread out on my large lawn to enjoy an hour of fun music making.
Surprise Prize
In hopes to keep down the recital butterflies that most students get, I interspersed drawings for small prizes throughout my recital. When the students arrived to the recital destination, I had them write their names on a big silver star (They are the stars of the event!) I then put the stars in a music tote bag and would draw a star to give away a prize several times during the recital. It seemed to chase away some of the jitters! For the last drawing, I returned all of the stars to the music tote bag and announced the student I pick is now going to win a special prize for their parent/s. This was to recognize the sacrifice of the parents in paying for lessons, getting their children to lessons, spending time with their child encouraging practice etc., etc. I really tried to express my gratitude for their involvement and my priviledge to teach their child. That seemed to go over very well. It all put a great “fun” factor into the recital.
Tried and Tested Tips!
I never present recitals as an option or an added part of lessons. From the very beginning, they are part of the package so parents and students expect and look forward to them. I make a big deal to the student, parents, family, and friends that learning an instrument is hard work and what a fabulous job the student has done. It makes them want to do it again! Also, refreshments afterwards are a MUST! And a small gift from the teacher to the student is definitely a big plus!
Musical Valentines
We did a valentine themed recital entitled “Songs We Love” at a local retirement home. It’s was all songs they would recognize from their time. As each child played, the residents guessed the title and sometimes even sang along! The team that guessed the title would get a piece of a heart giant poster board puzzle on a poster board in the front of the room. Each resident got a tissue pack topped with a grand piano valentine at the end.
Halloween Fun
For a Halloween Recital, I have my students come in costumes and we have a costume contest. The parents fill out ballots and judge students on 6 things, The prettiest, The most Likely to Scare a Dog, The most creative, The song and costume matching, The best last minute costume and The best overall. Winners and prizes are handed out at the end of the recital. I also have my students go trick or treating with candy that my parents have brought (1 bag of wrapped candy per family) I put the candy in several halloween containers or bowls on a couple of tables. I supply small bags for the students and they go around the table and grab enough candy to fill their little bags. It’s great fun!
Sounds of the City
We named our recital, SOUNDS OF THE CITY, and created a backdrop of a city skyline. We all dressed as street musicians and put an open guitar case in front of the piano. Everyone who attended received a bag of plastic coins that they could toss into the case following each performance. Between the applause and the coins, each student felt wonderfully affirmed.
Organized Requests
When each student gets a new music book, I include a page which they can jot down any pieces of music they love…they may have heard it on the radio, in a movie, show, anywhere. I refer to this when sorting out repertoire, so recital songs are filled with song the kids really want to play. It makes everything go a little easier for the students playing songs they are dying to learn.
Steinway Style
We’re lucky to have a Steinway Piano store nearby, and they have the most beautiful recital hall. We have casual recitals at an assisted living facility a couple times throughout the year, and then when it’s time for the formal recital — it’s a really big deal to the kids!
I also like to hand out performance awards at the very end of the recital.
2 Hands, 4 Hands
The first half of the recital was all students playing one or two solos. The second half of the recital was all 4 hand. I would stay at the piano and play one or two duets with each student. The parents loved this format. And the students liked it too.
Kodak Moments
Each recital, I take a picture of each student at my piano. Each year is a different angle/pose. I send then to Shutterfly for cheap printing, buy frames at dollar tree. Label the back of the frame with recital date. Now you have a thoughtful and personalized gift for each student. I have students who “dress up” just for picture day. FYI parents appreci a week or 2 notice when picture day do the kids have nice hair or are not wearing the same shirt as last year, etc.
From the Mouth of Babes
I list funny quotes from the students in the program for my recitals (anonymously). I try to make sure I have one for each student because they and their family members have fun guessing which one was their quote.
Go Around The World
This year, our Christmas recital theme is “Christmas around the World.” The program is grouped according to the Christmas carol’s country of origin. Several students will be selected to read a brief history of the country’s Christmas traditions..
Mix it Up
The perfect piano recital bridges both classical and popular music, is both a serious and fun event, and has more than just piano solos. Having duets for two students of a fairly equal age and ability motivates each student to consistently practice that piece, as they don’t want to look bad in front of their peers. The most important thing in a recital is a balance of music styles. Parents will get bored if they hear 30 preludes, and they won’t like 30 popular songs. Having a good balance of classical music, popular music, music from movies, hymns, etc. is vital to a good recital. Piano accompanying students singing or students playing another instrument is awesome to have in your recital. Many teenage students love Les Miserables. Have a Les Miserables themed recital—with piano solos from Les Mis, duets from Les Mis, students accompanying students singing songs from Les Mis, and students accompanying students playing music (with other instruments) from Les Mis. Mix up you Les Mis songs with your classical and popular songs to create an awesome piano recital.
Be a Hero
I think I was every piano parent’s hero last year. With the duties of prom, graduation, and softball, I had so much trouble scheduling a recital that would meet even half of my studio’s needs that I decided to schedule a family recital. Instead of the last 2 weeks of lessons, the parents chose a time and location for them to have their child’s recital. The student and I put together a host of songs they wanted to practice and that they had already enjoyed playing through the year and then the family invited whomever they wanted and had whatever refreshments they wanted. Some chose to have it at my studio, while others chose to have it at a church or in their home. It was a very special way for me to tell what I thought the student’s strengths and also display their most fun moments. Every family told me that this was by FAR their favorite recital ever and we are doing it again this year.
Movie Trivia
Head to the Library
We hold Community Concerts in the local library and old age homes. These are small recitals held monthly and are open for all students to participate – if they WANT to- and they are available to the public. Our last C.C. garnered a lot of attention from patrons at the library who were browsing for books. They heard the music and came to watch – the kids felt great because their music made people happy, and the parents felt great because their kid looked fantastic, the library loved it because it attracted patrons and I loved it because everyone was happy!
Movie Trivia
I gave a recital that featured songs from the movies. The students could dress up like characters from their songs. I also compiled a list of movie trivia and in between performances I would ask questions to the audience. The students loved seeing their parents getting involved!
Jazz Fest
A Jazz Fest is a great recital theme for February in NH. I created a program divided into “sets” like a jazz band would play. Each set of students sat up there with the piano and took turns playing. All the rest of us were in the audience while they were grouped like a studio class group. They enjoyed the relaxed flavor and having support nearby. A nice change.
Teacher Duets
I always have the students play a duet with me after all of the solos are finished. This gives them something to look forward to, and it helps them learn their solo pieces faster. It also boosts their confidence and helps calm their nerves on recital day!
Costume Match
I have students dress up in costumes to match their favorite songs (which they pick for the recital). They may also come into the recital room in “character” or put on a quick character skit. I also invite a family member to play along with them to get families involved in playing music at home with one another.
Affordable Location Ideas
I was able to find free recital locations just by asking around. The nearby Piano Gallery had a recital room that was free-you just have to book it in advance. The local Library also has a piano room they are willing to let me use free of charge for recitals!.
Creative Composers
We did an improvisation and composing unit where everyone created at least 3 songs, then they picked their favorite to perform at a Creative Composer’s Recital. Several kids did artwork to go with their song that I projected while they performed their piece, and they each said a couple of sentences about how they created their song..
Piano Cafe
Last fall my teen students had a “piano cafe” – we had coffee and cake for parents/family/ friends, a nice setting at our church with a wonderful grand piano. The stundets played in “free order” as often as they wanted – like in a real cafe. It was the best expirience ever, for both parents and students.
Float your Praise
At the conclusion of our Spring Recital I had a helium balloon for each student with a personal note from me inside congratulating them on something they had accomplished in piano. (I wrote the notes and took them with me to the store to purchase the balloons and tucked them inside before they were inflated.) The students loved them and they brightened the occasion.
All in the Family
I have each student perform a duet with a family member ( mom, dad, grandma,etc) It encourages interaction and they really seem to enjoy it! If there is not a family member who plays I either have another student or myself play it with them!
Pick and Choose
My students perform one “repertoire piece” and a “piece of their choice.” This usually helps inspire and increase the level of desire about what they are sharing and playing! Parents and families are always impressed at choices and how well they play them!
Team Mozart Vs. Team Chopin
Turn your recital into a “Mozart fans VS. Chopin fans”. Or it can be more fan groups of different composers. Basically you have kids grouped together with one favorite composer as common interest, and in the recital each of them is going to perform a piece by their favorite composer as a contribution to their little fan group – like a group presentation in short, and the group which members have the biggest applause from the audience rules the day. Win or not isn’t the point, but it might help to tie your students together and increase their interest, and audience is also more engaged that way.
Make ’em Cry (with joy)
Last year I tried something new and it was the highlight of the recital. I had all the students learn a two part song to end the recital. They gathered all together on stage to sing a final inspirational song and tears of joy flowed while camera’s flashed. Parents said that it was so emotionally moving and that it was the highlight of the evening. This coming from parents who paid all year to have their children learn to play the piano!
Listen and Learn
Hold a lecture recital of a particular period or composer. Students submit artwork and also read background information on their repertoire selections.
All In The Family
I had a family recital where anyone who played a musical instrument could perform together. We had parents who hadn’t touched their instrument in years brush up their skills for this event. It was a fun time where sibling’s, cousins and whole families performed together.
Strength in Numbers
I like to include a group rhythm ensemble with a variety of instruments including bells — this usually impresses the audience.
It’s All in The Wording
I always refer to my recital as a “Celebration.” Wording it that way seems to take some of the anxiety out of the whole performance thing.
Gift Idea
At my Christmas recital, I give each performer a “thank you for sharing your beautiful music” gift of a small glass plate covered with salt (for snow). I then push a Christmas ball decoration (with the hook end removed) into the salt (to stabilize it) and fill the decoration 3/4 full of water. I then put in a red or white carnation and some greenery. Both the students and their parents are pleased with the “gift” and since the plate and decorations are purchased at the dollar store, very inexpensive to do.
Give ’em a Quiz
Once a year I like to do an ensemble recital where my students get a change to work with other students inside and out of the studio. We pick songs and pieces that are more popular or familiar classical pieces. (They have to bring outside students to their lessons and masterclass) we title the recital “Name that Tune”. At the recital the program has blank spots for the audience to fill in. This helps the audience participate and learn something as well. At the end, I give out three prizes.
Say Aloha!
Here’s my commitment to do a Hawaiian themed recital this winter. Hawaiian shirts, food, palm tree cookies, student pictures in our hammock and leis for the guests. Sandals, capris and shorts. We need a boost in this long winter!
Little Details
Each student played their piece and at the end everyone sang “where are you Christmas?” As a surprise to the audience. We had a slide show of what goes on at summer camps / in the studio throughout the year. As their gift I made treble clef earrings for the girls and a necklace (leather lace) with charm for the boys. I also made a kitkat keyboard using white chocolate kitkats with brown mini kitkats for the black keys – huge hit!
Share The Joy
I have found through the years that some of the best recitals are actually acts of charity! We do Christmas recitals at a nursing home so the elderly there can enjoy our music and sing along with Christmas songs. The students love talking with the people there, and seeing their faces light up when they play. It’s great to teach kids that music is a gift we can share with others.
Through The Ages
A fun one I did once was a “Recital of the Decades” Everyone played a popular song of their decade, and then a more “classical” style of that decade, and every student dressed up relating to their decade, it gave the recital an interesting feel, and transitions were better because we went in chronological order. It also gave us more to socialize about after with the parents and students.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Creating a “Favorite Things Christmas” Recital. Each students creates a picture of their favorite thing to be displayed at the recital as well as a favorite Christmas memory to be shared by the emcee at the recital.
Name That Film!
One of my most fun recitals was a costume recital where the students wore costumes that reflected their songs. I had pirates, phantoms, princesses, and even a dragon! To make it interactive with the audience I had each student come up with trivia questions from their song or the movie it came from. Audience members shouted out the answers!
Perform in Groups
ENSEMBLES! I have ensemble camps every summer. One of the main things that they do is create their own 3 – 4 part ensemble to be performed at the next recital. Some of my kids have already started on their Christmas ensemble. We will have at least 4 ensembles to play and they are the hits of the show!
Take it Outside
Every other year or so, depending on the end of school calendar, we have an Outdoor Piano Recital in June. It’s on a Saturday evening, and students invite their family and friends to hear them play one selection. We use an 88 key electric piano. Everyone enjoys the casual attire and atmostphere, bringing their lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. Various families provide refreshments. What a great end of the school year music event!
Making Memories
I programmed a “Then and Now” recital when I had the students play the very first piece they performed in a recital in my studio with an accompanying photo of them and then they played a piece at their current level. It was great fun to see the older students from 10 years ago and hear their little piece and then the current level piece. The photos of their younger days were a great hit!! It was definite re-do!!!
Plentiful Themes
I like having a lot of recital options throughout the year. We hold Halloween Festival where students dress up in costume. Keyboard Festival, where students get a KF t-shirt and play with midi accompaniments, Music at the Mall is through the MTA group and is held in December so my students perform Christmas pieces. Then our spring recital is our themed recital and awards ceremony that matches our yearly theme. Lots of fun opportunities!
Get Some Back-up
A group of fellow Simply Music teachers and I hired a praise band (electric guitarist, bassist, and drummer), to back up our students playing blues/jazz/pop songs. We held the event at a newly opened Boogie Babies play store – a win-win combination for everyone involved!
The Power of PowerPoint
I had my students find pictures on the internet that describe their pieces. I made a PowerPoint slide show to match the timing of their piece. We had the recital at my church using the screen to show their pictures as they played their pieces live
Themes, Themes, Themes
I make sure that everything is theme based, from that semester’s decor in the studio, to the newsletter the month of the recital, to the practice challenge/incentive, to the program, venue, and of course song selections: ALL ARE THE THEME. Even down to the stickers I use to reward songs well played 😉 This creates such an excitement, anticipation, and focus for the kids AND parents
Lights, Camera, Action
I had a friend video the concert and then gave each student their personal copy with their own picture on the cover – it made them feel very important!
Can’t Go Wrong with Pizza
Well, it’s probably more WHERE we hold them – not always at your traditional places. One of our favorites right now is at a Pizza Restaurant – they acquired a piano – with the help of a combined recital and donations being taken…the restaurant gives the piano recital students free pizza and then we give them a recital
Backyard Weddings
Last year at my spring recital I decided to do it outdoors for a wow factor. We set up around 100 white “wedding chairs” around a pool. I used a keyboard with a PA system attached. The girls wore spring dresses and the guys wore nice sorts and collared shirts. Perfect recital and very elegant. It was everyone’s favorite
Butterflies Be-Gone
It is not so much a “wow” idea…. Just what works out great for my students and me. We always have the recital in my home…which is where I teach. This way they are not having to get used to playing on another piano….no worries about stages, etc. Now to be fair I only teach 26 students…and I split the students into 2 groups…so that there is enough room for friends/family….. But in my experience it keeps everyone less butterfly-ie
Mix It Up
I have tried several different ideas that were all a big hit. One year I strung Christmas lights around the room and had other low mood lights with a spot on the piano and the kids dressed in their finest. Another year I did a duet recital and still another year, a recital of all movie music. Mixing it up each year keeps it fresh and exciting
The Grand Tour
Many of my students are practicing on keyboards, and the younger ones had never played on a grand piano. The first part of our recital was “The Grand Tour”; I got them all up around the piano and explained how everything worked and how the sounds were produced. They were excited to try out the piano before they had to play “for real”, and the parents loved it. One Dad was even up there with his video camera in the piano, recording everything.
Ice Cream Social
My recitals are pretty simple, but I always get a great crowd of parents, family and friends. The one thing every student looks forward to is the special party I plan afterward. Instead of cookies and punch, I try to be creative. For the spring, we have an ice cream social…I supply the ice cream, the students supply the toppings. Everyone has a great time and the kids enjoy creating their own sundaes after the recital.
Costume Party
COSTUME RECITALS at Halloween time! We did it last year with the Suzuki violin players and this year with our piano department, including themes for each recital such as “Star Wars and Movie Stars”, “Action Heroes” (Fearless Fortissimo pieces work well here….boys can wear spiderman, batman, superman etc costumes), and “Disney Friends”. We hope this will replace our mega-Christmas recital (which is always such a busy time of year)
Dynamic Duets
If my students are too shy to perform a piano solo at our recitals, I encourage them to perform a duet with another student or myself in order to boost their confidence level. No matter what their age, all students are strongly encouraged to participate in the recital, and they learn what a fun experience it can be to share their music with others! We often hold our recitals in local retirement homes, and students feel that they are truly contributing something important to the community, which is added incentive!
Keep It Simple
I just have a small group of students who are beginners and 10 and under. I don’t want to them to be intimidated by the recital, so I hold it in a room at my church which holds about 45 people. Afterward we have ice cream sundaes – it is a tradition everyone looks forward to, and a great way for everyone to relax and get acquainted
Something For Seniors
I host my piano recital at our local “old folks home”. It is such an easy audience. They LOVE the kids and are quick to clap and enjoy the attention the kids give them. It teaches the kids to interact with older people and the parents really appreciate the support the ‘extra’ audience gives. I ask selected parents to bring cookies to share with the residents and students
A Little More Detail
I especially enjoy the recitals in my home by adult piano students for each other. As each one is picking out their favourite piece, I invite them to do a bit of research on the life of the composer, describe what the piece means to them, tell something they enjoy about the piece, or what made it a challenge to them. Most students make an excellent presentation to their fellows, and each learns that it IS a lot of work to perfect a piece. It seems to unite them in their pursuit of excellence.
Theme It Up
I don’t know how ‘wow’ this is but I try to do a theme for each recital. Either broadway, classical, disney, christmas, spring, etc. I hold my recitals at a recital hall where we can’t bring food, so I give each student a treat bag at the end. Also, one thing that students have enjoyed is when I play something or combine with another parent and do a duet with them at the end
Mighty Mini-Recitals
Instead of having one big recital with 50 students who do not know each other, families and guests, I divide my recitals into a maximum of 10 students per recital. It gives me an opportunity to congratulate each of the students, meet their families and guests and provide a delightful 20-30 minutes of enjoyable music.
Night at the Movies
Our last concert was called Night At The Movies. Every student played music from movies and dressed like a character from their movie. Parents and kids loved finding just the right outfit/costume. A local movie theater donated some posters and we used them to give the venue a movie theater like atmosphere.
Earth, Wind, and Fire
We did a recital based on these 4 elements: fire, ice, wind and earth. All the music had to deal with one of these topics
So Everyone Can See
This year, our Spring Recital will be held in a new venue. Held in the evening, the venue is deck out with tulle and lights. Also the venue is in a glass building across from a very busy city park, shops, and hospital. So everyone will be able to catch a glimpse. With a professional photographer to snap pictures. This will be a first for the studio. The students are so excited! Each student will also have in hand a score sheet and pencil, they will judge each others performance and then let me know what they like/disliked. Then we are going to work on their own performance from score sheets to see what needs to be improved. So with the students knowing they will be judged, this helps them to want to do their very best. All students seem to like this idea! We’ll see how it works out!!
Shorts and Summer
For summer students, we have a Short Summer Recital. We all wear shorts (even me), play our favorite short pieces, and then have a popsicle party afterward! We print the program in landscape on colored paper then cut into the shape of a pair of Shorts!
A Very Original Recital
After theory exams we switch to composing and combine their pieces into a book which everyone receives at the end-of-year Parent’s Recital. A student designs the cover and they debut their piece at the Recital. I believe it is what everyone looks forward to. I love watching the proud parents and beaming students, esp. the ones that were emphatic about their inability to compose. What a confidence booster! An additional bonus is the enthusiasm to analyze their new repertoire.
“Reverse” Trick or Treating
We have a Fall Halloween Recital, dressed in costume, at a local assisted living facility. We prepare treats and it is “reverse” trick or treating. The children give out treats to the adult residents.
A Night at the Oscars
“A Night at the Oscars” is a fabulous way to host a spring recital. Students can don the blingiest outfits in their mothers’ closets and buy feather boas from the dollar store, while the guys can simply appear “cool” in a pair of shades. A sign at the door points to “Limo Parking”. Replica Oscar trophies and candelabra adorn the grand piano. And decorations of the Hollywood Hills, a 10 foot “HOLLYWOOD” sign, and Stars on the floor (with names of the famous composers on them), along with red carpets were purchased from party supply shops online. The music selected to be performed is a compilation of Oscar award-winning music. Parents often appear with cameras; they are of course the “paparazzi”, and are asked to refrain from taking photos until after the concert. Of course we serve bubbly afterward, so sparkling juice is served in small plastic wine-glasses. The Oscars replica trophies are a huge hit, or clapboards, which students love to pose with for photos afterward.
Keep It Casual
This year we did something simple and were thanked by so many parents for it. I divided my kids into 3 groups and held mini-recitals in my small studio room. Each group had 8-10 kids who chose 2 songs they loved to perform. We kept it really light and casual. Each of the recitals lasted 25-30 minutes, which was perfect for the wiggly boys I teach…and their wiggly brothers and sister…and their parents! I had so many parents thank me for the shortened, casual version. The kids had much less stress and seemed to enjoy performing more.
Dress It Up
Students have to bring a prop or costume that fits their song. It’s a surprise for the audience and the rest of the students. This year we had a sailer rowing his boat, a bumblebee costume, newspapers all over the floor, a baseball uniform, and much more.
The Christmas Coffeehouse
Every Christmas, we turn our church fellowship hall into the “Christmas Coffeehouse” with the piano students as the entertainment! The piano is staged in the center of the room, and cookies, hot chocolate and coffee with flavored creamers are served. The kids are allowed to “dress down” to their favorite Christmas sweaters and outfits, though many still choose to dress up. We also take time to play a couple of games, including some “minute to win it” music games.