With the budding of daffodils comes the start of recital season. Piano teachers everywhere spring into action as spring blooms outside their studio windows. Recital season means choosing repertoire, prepping students, and organizing venues.
In the midst of all this work, teachers are also required to make a recital program. Until now, this probably involved not too much more than the creation of a simple list of students and their chosen pieces… but that’s about to change! Because today we’re going to show you how a recital program can be so much more than an attractive list of student performances…
Keep reading to see how you can take advantage of a captive, reading-ready recital audience and use your recital program to boost re-registration rates, grow your studio, and WOW the music world!
4 Invaluable Extras To Include In A Recital Program
A common frustration shared by all teachers is getting piano families to read studio communications. Important information in emails and newsletters can easily go unread in the haste of a family’s busy week. But… at a recital you have a captive audience of parents who expect to be handed something to read!
It’s a golden opportunity that should not be wasted.
Below, we are sharing 4 things (in addition to a list of performances) that you should share in your recital program. It may take an additional piece of paper (a simple staple in the top corner solves this “space issue”) but the benefits you’ll reap in return will be well worth the extra effort.
4 Things To Add To Your Piano Recital Program:
- The “Wow” Factor: Consider including a bit of studio trivia that will amaze your piano parents. The easiest way to do this is to use a section I call, “Your Studio In Numbers”. In this section display a list of impressive numerical items such as the total piano pieces completed by the students in your studio, the total number of practice hours completed by the students in your studio, the youngest student/oldest student in your studio, the number of piano games won by your students, the most lessons attended by a single student… to name just a few.
- An “On The Spot” Registration Form: During your recital you’re about to “wow” parents while filling them with feelings of pride as they watch their children perform. This is the perfect opportunity to offer a way that parents can easily, a) register students for a “lesson extra” (i.e. summer camps, piano parties, group lessons etc.) OR b) register students for your next term of lessons. Re-registration rates are always higher when you don’t have to send a form home and wait for its return. Include the form on your program and collect them at the end!
- Your Studio Specialty: Your piano parents likely already love you, but it never hurts to highlight the one thing that makes your piano studio stand out from the rest. Perhaps you offer amazing group lessons, or piano lessons for preschoolers, or a specialty in off-the-bench learning. Share your “secret sauce” and set the word-of-mouth wheels in motion. Keep this section of your recital program short and to the point, but don’t be shy about sharing your specialty.
- A Heart-Felt Thank You: Building a connection with your piano parents is best achieved by seizing every opportunity to strengthen relationships. Including an unexpected “thank you” in your piano recital program will help build that bond and make your piano parents feel appreciated and valued. By being specific and genuine. your piano parents will leave the recital feeling as though they are truly a “part of something”.
Still Have Space? Add This To Your Program
If, after the above points are considered, you still have some space in your program add some “fun facts” about your studio materials. Share some stories about the quirky materials you find in our Very Useful Piano Library. This shows your commitment to interesting lessons and engaging materials. Everyone appreciates a bit of humor, so let our quirky books provide some giggles 😉
Anna says
These are great suggestions! I love the idea of interesting numbers in your studio! I’m curious to take a peak at your program! I bet it looks amazing!
LINDA KIRKCONNELL says
I love the suggest of putting a special thank you to parents on the program. Brilliant. I always say a few thank lines at the beginning, but writing it is such a good idea. Last Thanksgiving I gave a little gift bag with caramels and a handwritten note to each parent telling them how thankful I am for them and all they do regarding piano/lessons/practice. They really appreciated being recognized in a small way. Your suggestion today is another way to do that. Thank you.
Andrea says
What a sweet gesture, Linda! Thanks for commenting and sharing your ideas! Your success with your studio is testament to how much of a different these little extras can make 🙂
NANCY HIATT says
Great ideas! Do you recommend doing all this in a newsletter format? I can see having a registration form to hand out with the program, but not sure about the other things. Thinking about verbalizing #1 and #3 and putting a thank you on the back of the program.
Andrea says
Hi Nancy – yes, I would recommend formatting it in a visually pleasing way – leave your recital program the way you’d like to and then attach this little “extra” 🙂
James says
Great article, really like the “On The Spot” Registration Form – there might be a third element to it that c) encourages parents to sign up a sibling of the current learner for lessons.
Out of interest what is your thoughts on parents video recording on mobiles at recitals? I would love to encourage parents to give their phone to a non-family member to record while they just enjoy their child play the music, rather than the parent being focused on trying to get a good quality video. Would be interested in peoples thoughts!
Andrea says
Hi James, great idea about a place to register a sibling! I’ve heard of teachers having a “parent paparazzi” chair – a special spot in the front where they can get the perfect angle of their child on video. They then vacate the chair when their child is finished for the next parent. I think it’s a great idea, but I do know what you mean about having the parent be “in the moment” – however, I think that now a days, being “in the moment” always seems to involve a smart phone 😉 That would be a tough habit to break so providing this special chair may be a great option!
Lisa says
I write up a short bio on each student and print it in the program. I include parent names, age, grade in school, activities in which they are involved, the reason they take lessons, and any future plans they may have.
Melissa Beyer says
Hi Andrea!
What a great idea! Do you by chance a a sample of one of these programs?? Thanks!