Recital Prep for Students

All right, everybody! One week and two days till the recital! If your parents haven't read my last post, please remind them (nicely and respectfully) to click here so they know what's going on, too. But today, students, it's your turn! Read all the way to the end, even if you think you know this stuff and could do it in your sleep. Review never hurt anyone. ;) 

• On Friday or Saturday before the recital, flag your books! Put a sticky note on the page with the song you are playing, so you can flip to it easily and quickly at the recital! If you have loose sheet music, make sure you have it with you (preferably in a binder and flagged, or glued to a piece of cardboard). If you're playing from a book, and you have a page turn and haven't memorized the second page, get your mom or dad to photocopy pages so you don't have to do a page turn. Unless, of course, you've already talked with me about having me turn your pages for you. (This does not apply if you're playing from memory, though it won't hurt to bring your books along anyways even if you're not planning on using them.)

• Does it make you nervous to play in front of people? If so, that's OK -- most people feel this way! So, leading up to the recital, perform a lot for your family and friends. This will help you not to be so nervous. Don't forget to get them to sign your music or notebook in pencil! 
• Recitals are special, so now's a good chance to wear your best clothes! Dress nicely, and don't forget to put on your smiles. :)
•    When you and your family come in and sit down, find a spot close to the edge of the seats so you can get in and out easily.
•      Read the program, check where you are, and if you have two solo songs, check and see which one I want you to play first! 
• When it's your turn, come to the front, take a deep breath, and say the names of both the pieces you will be playing. 
• If you're playing a duet, introduce yourself. If you're playing the Primo part, say your name first. If you're playing the Secondo part, say your name after your partner says his/hers. Talk with your partner about which of you will say the piece title. 
• Then, if you need to move the piano bench forwards or backwards, do it before you sit down. After that, you may sit down, breathe, and start playing! 
• If you make a mistake in your piece, don't panic. Everybody makes mistakes at recitals, sooner or later. Just pretend absolutely nothing happened. Keep playing, keep smiling, and chances are nobody will ever know you messed it up. Don't start over unless it's really, really bad. 
• When you're finished, smile, then bow or curtsey while people are still clapping (once!). After that, pick up your books, and go sit down with your family again. If you have both your songs together, do this after you're done both songs. 
• When the other students play, clap at the end of each of their pieces. 
• When we're finished, if you thought someone played especially well, tell them so. Here's an extra challenge: Tell them what you really liked about their piece. (Example: "I really liked how you did your crescendo," or chord, or whatever it was you liked best.)
• Enjoy the snacks! (Don't forget to ask your parents, before the recital, to have a plate of snack food ready to bring along and share.)