Today’s post is in answer to a question I received from a reader via email:
I am giving my first ever piano recital this Sunday and I am unsure what I should say to parents at the recital. Besides welcoming them, what sorts of messages are good? Thanks!
Personally, I don’t feel the need to give a long speech at piano recitals. After all, the members of the audience — mostly parents and grandparents — are there to hear the kids play, not to hear you give an long, eloquent speech. =) Just keep it short and sweet, something like this:
“Hello everyone! As many of you may know, my name is ___, and I’d like to welcome you to this year’s Spring Piano Recital! This is the first year we’ve held a studio recital, and I am so pleased to have you all join us today. I know the students are all very excited to play their pieces that they’ve been working so hard on. Just a few brief announcements, and then we’ll get started. First of all: did everyone recieve a recital program who would like one? [pass out a couple more if needed] Secondly, immediately following the recital, we will take some time to take group photo of all the students. You are welcome to take pictures during the recital as well, but please turn off the flash on your camera. Thirdly — after the time for photos, please wander over to the fellowship room where there are punch and refreshments for you all to enjoy. Alright, without further ado, we’ll get started with the recital, beginning with student’s name playing student’s piece.” [start the applause]
If you get nervous talking in front of groups of people, make yourself a notecard with a short list of things to remember to say. It could look something like this:
- Hello and welcome; introduce myself
- Announcements: 1) Did everyone get a recital program who would like one?
- 2) After recital, photo time.
- 3) After photo time, refreshments.
- Welcome first student to play; start applause.
After all the students play, you can stand up once more if you desire, and say something like:
“That concludes our recital for this evening. I’d like to say thank you to all the parents and grandparents here today for helping and supporting the students all year long with their practicing and for taking them to lessons. We couldn’t have done it without you. And students, you did a wonderful job tonight. Let’s give all the students one more round of applause. [applause] Thank you all for coming! Now we will have a time for photos and refreshments.”
I hope this is helpful to some of you, and I hope you all have (or have had) successful piano recitals this spring!
Photo credit: gordontarpley | CC 2.0
10 Comments
This can be a slightly intimidating thing as a young teacher. I remember when I started teaching in high school I was never really sure what to say!
I have a dear former teacher who always knows exactly what to say at a recital. She is the cutest lady and is always so inspiring in her comments! I hope to someday be able to do that as well. She actually would not have a printed program, but would stand up between each student to introduce them, saying, “Next may we hear from so-and-so?” Or something like, “”Let’s start out with a bang!! May we please hear from so-and-so?” She often adds little commentary, telling the audience about the great things her students have accomplished and are involved in. In fact, when I would attend the recitals of my younger siblings after I had left her to study piano in college, she would often say things like, “This family is very musical! Not only do I teach Liz and Abby, but their older sister Jenny is a former student of mine who is now a piano major at BYU!” She always knows how to make everyone feel good :) At the end she always has some closing remarks, and most often she says something that I absolutely love. After every recital or performance, she says to her students, “Be happy!! You worked so hard and did the best you could, you should be so proud of yourself!”
Right on, Jenny! I used to back out of the way and have each student introduce him/herself, and announce what they will play. However, this I found turned into a public speaking thing and the students hated it! A couple of students came to me and said they love to play the piano at the recitals, but many would not want to come because of the speaking bit. So … I decided that I, the teacher, would introduce each student as they came to the paino. As they adjust the bench, try out the pedals, etc., I give a couple of fun and interesting tidbits about the student, and announce their piece/pieces. In this way, speaking, for them, is optional. Occasionally, a student will make a dedication or say something I left out about the selection, but most simply smile and play, and it’s wonderful. The parents have voted this format is the best, and proves to be very affirming to both the student and his/her family. Just some thoughts. Thank you, Joy, for addressing this subject!
This is great, Norm! I’ve never considered introducing each student at recitals, but I really like this idea! I can see how doing this would be an affirming thing for both the students and the family. Thanks so much for posting!!
Thanks Joy for the link. I will use these notes for my next recital and prepare my self as just like I have to prepare my musicians.
Kevin L. Wafford
I’ve got my Spring Recital coming up this Saturday. Location will be a local “warehouse” church, low ceiling, great seating, like a large living room. Grand piano center stage, with low lighting and great sound. I’m very excited! I’ve 26 students playing, and I think I’ll stick to my format described in an older post. Lots of beginning Suzuki “Twinklers” and many intermediate and advanced students. Outstanding solos will be Inverness, by Susanne Scianni, Primavera, by Ludovico Enaudi, and Sonatina by Kalau. I can’t stand it, I can hardly wait! Love your continuing ideas and encouragement, Joy. Thank you!
Sounds wonderful, Norm!
If the recital starts at 2:00 p.m., I have students arrive by 1:45 p.m. and use those 15 minutes for group photos. I find it’s easier than at the end of the program.
Good idea!
I like the idea of introducing the student and the piece while they get ready. My students write their own program notes -- something brief about the composer and why they chose the piece, what they like about it, what they have learned from the piece, etc. I was hoping to add something informal and a little silly in the program note for each student this year…but I’m having troubles coming up with something. Any ideas? Not necessarily related to their piece…the only idea I had so far was asking each student for their favorite lesson memory of the year. (i.e. sight reading Christmas songs, trying out a new instrument, Cindy spilling her water bottle, etc.). Any suggestions?
This year, I had program notes too. I included a short statement of the students’ hobbies or interests, because I thought it might be fun for the audience to learn something else about the student. Example: Tim loves to play soccer, climb trees, and of course, play piano.