How to Better Prepare Our Students for Recital Day

        The time for our Winter Recital is fast approaching. There are some things you can do as parents and students to be more prepared and make it a fun and valuable experience.
        The first obvious thing is to make sure your student(s) is practicing. Most of them are in the process of memorizing or polishing their pieces. I encourage the students to memorize their performance piece, and this takes practice. (I don't ask them to memorize the Christmas song.) I am always amazed at how much a good performance increases a student's self-confidence. Effective practice is vital to a good performance.
          At least once during this preparation process, record the student playing his/her recital piece. The student should perform it as well as they can. Wait about an hour before listening to the recording. Listen to it three times: once following along with the music; once with eyes closed to listen for expression and interpretation; and finally, with the music to critique and make notes of sections that need to be practiced and corrected, and any dynamics and expression that need to be added.
         Give the students the opportunity to play on at least 10 different pianos. It doesn't have to be in front of anyone. They can go to a piano store and try several. (Brigham Larson Pianos would be a good place for that.) The church around the corner probably has several they can try. This will give them experience with the different feel of the pianos. It will also solidify their piece because of the different sensory experiences they are having associated with playing their piece.  When possible, do it with both the performance piece and the Christmas song.
         Another thing you can do to help your children feel prepared to perform at the recital is to give them opportunities to perform for people before the time of the recital. (Grandma and Grandpa won't mind hearing their recital pieces more than once, believe me!) As part of our practice incentive, they can earn extra credit by performing for several different people on different pianos. Not only will playing for someone help, but playing on different pianos, in different surroundings will help them feel more comfortable performing.
       This Saturday (November 21, 10 a.m., my house), they will have the opportunity to perform for the other students. We will go over their stage presence and how to introduce themselves and their pieces. This should become a part of their practice over the next few weeks. Speaking loudly, slowly, and clearly will be important, especially for the special guests at this December recital. Some of the residents of Mountain Air Care Center may have a hard time hearing the students announce their numbers. Practicing speaking clearly and loudly at home where they do that more naturally will make it easier to do at the performance.
        The Thanksgiving holiday, although it may seem busy, may provide the perfect opportunities for your students to practice some of these steps to preparing for the recital, which will be December 12th.
        Thanks! Karen

Best practicer this week:  Samantha!
Wesley has memorized both his recital pieces so he got to move up TWO extra spaces, as well!

Good work, both of you!