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December 2023 Recital

Reminders for students

  1. Dress up! This is a special occasion so take advantage of it. That goes for all of us. I love going to the theater, the symphony, ballet and have the opportunity to look my very best.
  2. Arrive early so we are on time for the beginning. Note, I asked for you to be at the church by 2:00 PM to give us the time to be organized and calm when you perform your very best. Sometimes running late can cause anxiety, nerves that affect how we perform. We will begin promptly at 2:15, or before if everyone is present and ready.
  3. Remember to use Saturday to prepare so you are ready for the recital
    1. Practice your entrance: Approach the piano with confidence. Pick up the microphone so everyone can hear you as you introduce your piece(s). I will have a chair near the piano for you to get the microphone and put it back before you prepare to play.
    2. For those using music, place the music on the music rack of the piano, turn to the audience, take your time as you bow to the audience. Remember the trick of looking at your feet as you say the word "hippopotamus", to look more polished and professional.
    3. You may use a 3X5 card for notes to remind you of what you are going to say. Introduce the music by title as well as the composer. You may include when the composer was born, or what era the music was written, where the composer lived or something you like about the music, why you chose it to play for them. It is not necessary to give all of that information. Those are just some ideas of what you might say.
    4. Do NOT turn your back on the audience. Either face them or give them your profile as you will when you are playing. Keep the piano to your back side as you speak and bow, or to your left side as you adjust the piano bench, and as you prepare to sit or stand.
    5. When playing more than one piece, stay seated, you may turn your head towards the audience and smile to accept their applause, then back to continue to the next piece.
    6. When you are finished, rise gracefully, face the audience again, and bow as you did in the beginning. Pick up your music from the piano and return to your seat.