5 Responses for "Christmas Recital Thoughts"

1. Dan the Music Master November 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am 1

   I usually only did end of year recitals; you’re brave for having one so early.

   I wouldn’t lose sleep over student preparation. I would, however, make sure to switch any nervous students to an easier piece before the event (if possible).

   Good luck.

2. Julie November 25th, 2008 at 11:24 pm 2

   My Christmas recital is on the 7th and I’m nervous about not having given my students enough prep. time, either. But as I tell my students, it’s a fun recital to just play fun songs (they’re so excited about Christmas songs!) and share their music with everyone else… something I need to keep in mind, too. The program will consist of about 2-3 repetitions of Jolly Old St. Nicholas, Good King Wenceslas, Jingle Bells, Up on the Housetop, and a few other standards – not something I generally do as a rule (so many students playing the same songs…need variety for the audience!), but this year everyone wanted to do the same songs! Since we were choosing later in the season than usual, I tried to limit what I could, but with lots of beginners, Jolly Old St. Nick and Jingle Bells are about all they could do well. They enjoy it and don’t mind the idea that someone else will play the same song… all different arrangements of course. I also usually require one of their two songs to be memorized, but again, choosing late I told my students I wouldn’t do that to them. Some have voluntarily memorized a song, which makes them quite proud and looking forward even more to the recital. Anyhow, I’m requesting every family to bring a dozen cookies or the like, and I’ll provide the punch. The kids are really excited about the recital – they usually are about this one because it’s a time when they get to play songs they really know and enjoy. Christmas music has that magical effect.

   How about your recital?

3. Ruth November 27th, 2008 at 10:00 am 3

   My students will give a very informal Christmas recital on Dec. 11th. I am hosting it in my home and am gathering folding chairs from all of my neighbors. Christmas is for sharing and for loving, so my students have picked their favorite Christmas songs and are free to memorize or to use their music. I am still debating to play or not, but if I do, it will be a fun song, not a big, complicated piece. Each student will have their picture taken sitting at my beautiful white grand piano. I have asked them to dress up just a little for it. I have purchased snow globes for each of them that has a photo insert.(Found at your local Family Dollar store) After the recital, I will have the pictures printed and mail them to them for Christmas. I am serving hot chocolate ( with a candy cane)and sugar and gingerbread cookies. I also plan to hand out Christmas Carol books , which can be downloaded on Martha Stewarts site. I plan to open the recital with a group song, and close with a song. I also introduce each student by telling some interesting facts about each of them…ie. school activities, pets, etc. The point is, to have a wonderful time together and to leave lasting positive feelings in their minds about recitals. No stress for anyone….parents included. I am looking forward to it. After the recital, I plan to suspend lessons until January . We all need time to enjoy this blessed holiday.

4. Miss Krissy December 11th, 2008 at 2:47 am 4

   I, too, have been worried about whether I’ve put my recitals too close together–but it keeps them practicing so I would like to continue doing it regularly. I’m trying to teach them it’s for service, so I take them to retirement homes. Or in this case, I’m having everyone sing along as some of the kids play their Christmas carols–accompanying skills. I found a simplified Nutcracker, which is kind of fun and I’m having my young students who aren’t ready to perform ring the bells and be my “percussion” section. He He. I want it to be a positive experience that gets them excited about learning as well as how to handle mistakes and the pressure of pulling a piece together quickly!

5. Piano Man December 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pm 5

   Recitals are truly, at least when you are of young age, a good forum for serious practice. In other words, I don’t think it does harm to have recitals close together, depending on scheduling and availability of kids. At Colorado Music Quest my daughter had just one recital, and it seemed like after it was over, most of the students didn’t attend as regularly. It was as if they said, “OK, the tough part is over”. I think having multiple performances, for kids that are serious and want it is extremely beneficial. Thank you.