Planning For Piano Recital Program

Piano recital is an unique event that should be put together with a lot of thought. Being a piano teacher, it is important to recognize that this is a special time for your students to perform for their family and friends. Piano recitals are fun and meaningful for all parties involved: family, friends, students, and teachers alike. Below I will give you a few tips that will help you plan a successful recital.

The typical length for a recital is around one hour. If your recital is too long, the children may become fidgety. If there are too many students involved in the recital, it would be a better idea to break the recital into two sections with an intermission in between. Perhaps forty minutes of recital, then an intermission break for refreshments, and then another forty minutes of recital.
The order that your students play in is entirely up to you. However, I would suggest that you place your best (or most advanced) players both at the beginning and at the end of the recital. Then feel free to sort the intermediate and beginners throughout the middle time slots.

Of course, the order is also in the hands of your students. Perhaps some have a preference to play first or last. All of this should be taken into consideration when planning the lineup. Each student should typically perform two pieces. They could play these pieces in a row or you could break up the performances and run through the lineup twice instead of once. This might calm the nerves of some, and might encourage them to be more comfortable the second time around. It would also be a good idea for the teacher to play a song at the end of the recital. This will make the students feel more involved with their teacher; they will share this special experience together.
It is wise to get the parents involved in the recital planning as well. Be sure that the parents are fully aware of the date, time and location. You may also request that each family bring something for the refreshments table. A few example dishes would be cheese platter, chips or crackers, finger sandwiches, and a soft drinks. This will take a lot of stress off of your shoulders and you will have more time to concentrate on the recital itself. It is also recommended that you hand out a piano recital etiquette pamphlet to both the students and the parents.
This document should address issues such as dress attire, no talking or tapping during performances, bowing and curtseying, and other issues you feel need to be discussed.
A piano recital is also a great time to display student work. For example, if one of your students completed a project on a particular composer, or if they received an award (like a trophy or even a diploma) in a competition; it would be a great time to showcase their work. I would also consider it wise to invite/hire another musician to play during the beginning, end or intermission. A few good examples would be a violinist, a vocalist, or even a guitar player. This will give a relaxed and more enjoyable atmosphere when the students are not performing.
If possible, it is ideal to have a separate stage for the performances. And of course, the best pianos to use for a recital would be a baby grand or a grand. A good place to hold a piano recital is at a church, because for the most part, the stage and the pianos are accessible. Another good place to hold a recital is at a nursing home. A nursing home is an ideal place to hold a recital because it allows your students the opportunity to play for a larger audience. This is important when learning the piano for one main reason: performance anxiety! Students can learn early to perform in public.
Public performance is one of the most challenging psychological barriers that piano players struggle with. You may offer your students the option to play their pieces with music, or by memory. If they are nervous and still wish to play by memory, it would be wise for the student to have the music on the stand just in case.
The most important thing to remember when planning a piano recital is to have fun! Don’t get too caught up in the preparation and the execution. If things don’t go as planned, just make adjustments next time you hold a recital. Parents and students will be thanking you for the recital, not criticizing you for it. So enjoy your time with your students, relax, and have a good time!