PPP139: Spring Piano Recital – WHY?!

I believe one of the best reasons for a recital is simply the enjoyment of music.  We often listen to music passively while driving in the car or working on other projects, so to set aside an hour to give our undivided attention to music is a gift, not only for the student, but also for each audience member.

In addition to celebrating the beauty of music, a formal spring recital is just that – formal.  It provides an opportunity to reinforce all the manners parents want their children to learn and practice as civilized human beings.

• Sit still and be quiet while others are performing.
• Give your full attention to something outside yourself.
• Encourage the efforts of others.
• Applaud their efforts.
• Say ‘thank you’ with a bow when the audience compliments you with applause.
• Put away the cell phone for a while.

The second ‘why’ is for the teacher. A spring recital is a major project for most studios and we teachers take it very seriously. We want to make sure our students are prepared to be showcased at the end of the year or school term. This is also an opportunity for parents to evaluate whether their child’s teacher is able to provide the musical education they want for their child.

The final ‘why’ is for the student.  Preparing for a recital increases their attention to detail.  They work harder to master their piece to be able to perform it as accurately and musically as possible. Students often experience butterflies in their stomach leading up to a public performance.  I believe this is healthy and that it’s good for them to learn how to deal with that feeling of being nervous in this smaller, supportive environment. They will find themselves in many similar situations as they grow up and I am happy to give them tools to not only manage their anxiety but to overcome it and use that heightened awareness to help them succeed. I’ll be talking more about this topic in next week’s show.