For the first time ever, I will be hosting a year end recital for my students. Most of them have never performed for an audience before so I am very pleased to be offering this opportunity to them.
Traditionally, a studio recital would be held at a central location where everyone would meet to perform for each other. Since my whole studio is online, and because of the current pandemic, the only way for us to have a studio recital is to perform for each other online. Thanks to the online platform zoom, we will be able to do just that!
In preparation for our year end recital, I wanted to outline some recital etiquette for my students to review. So, what is etiquette? According to a quick google search, etiquette is “the customary code of polite behaviour in society or among members of a particular profession or group”. In our case, we will be focusing on the expectations for performers and audience members (don’t forget, you are an audience member when you are not performing!)
Performers
- Preparation – students are expected to be adequately prepared for the performance. This includes polishing the pieces to be performed, securing memory if you are not using music, and having your book ready when it is your turn to perform if you are using music. If a mistake is made during a performance, students are encouraged to do their best to continue on without restarting. Please do not say “Can I restart”. Just keep going, even if that means you start at the beginning. Other things like using the washroom and getting a drink should also be done prior to the start of the recital.
- Appearance – typically, performers wear something special to a recital. You are welcome to choose something that you feel comfortable and confident in. Jeans and t-shirts should be avoided, but if you do not have dress clothes, your best jeans and t-shirt would be the way to go. If you have long hair, it should be tied back out of your face.
- Performance – for our recital, students are asked to introduce themselves and their pieces. For example, “Hi, my name is Shana. I’ve been taking piano lessons for 25 years. The first piece I am going to perform is the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven.” After your performance, students should stand and take a bow. Your audience will show their appreciation with applause, and a bow from the performer is a humble acceptance of that applause.
Audience
- Attentiveness – audience members are to be free from distractions during the entire recital. Just as performers are expected to be prepared (take a drink and use the washroom BEFORE the recital begins), audience members should also be prepared. If there is an emergency, recital etiquette is to wait for a break in the performance. For example, during Student A’s performance, you realize you really need to use the washroom. The best time to excuse yourself quietly is when Student A is finished their performance, and Student B is getting prepared to perform. In the same way, you must wait for a break in the performance to re-enter the recital. Audience members are not to leave or return in the middle of a performance at any time.
- Applause – Audience members show their support and appreciation with applause. Sometimes, performances don’t go as planned and maybe there are mistakes or memory slips. Applause is not just for the perfect performance. When we applaud, we are acknowledging the courage it takes to perform for others as well as the time and effort involved in preparing for the performance.
Finally, performers and audience members are encouraged to have fun! We are having a year end studio recital to celebrate all of you and the hard work you have put in over the last 9 months. Sometimes performing for others can make you nervous, but that just means you have high expectations for yourself (which is a really good thing). Just remember, everyone is in the same position and we are all here to support, encourage and celebrate one another in the name of MUSIC!
Shana’s Year End Studio Recital 2020: June 23rd @ 7pm
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