It’s recital time! Are you having a recital any time soon?

I am working hard on my Brahms piece you all helped me choose!  (Thank you, by the way!  I LOVE this piece).

I know many teachers don’t perform at their students’ recitals.  My teachers always did, so when I began teaching, I just assumed it was my responsibility as a teacher!  I didn’t realize I even had an option!  However, I am supremely happy I made my decision to perform at recitals.  My reasons are many:

  1. I think it is good for my students to know that I can play the piano.  Oftentimes, I think they think I don’t know what I’m talking about when I ask them to do certain exercises.  Hearing me play reminds them that I’ve been there, done that, and have succeeded.
  2. I think students need something to aspire to.  Hearing advanced music helps them with that.
  3. It’s also good for my students’ parents to know that I can play the piano and they are getting their money’s worth.
  4. My students get very energized after hearing me play. 
  5. As selfish as this reason is, performing at recitals helps my abilities!  Performing forces me to practice and keep on top of my technique.

I know many teachers don’t want to steal the thunder from their students, so they choose not to perform.  However, I don’t think it steals the thunder if a teacher performs at the end of a recital.  It’s a nice way to close the recital, and also give students something to work towards. 

I watched a video the other day of a flamenco dance performance.  After the performance was over, the teacher performed alone while the students stood around her.  I was happy to see her abilities, and did not feel it took away from the students’ performance.

I still remember the recital where my teacher performed “The Flight of the Bumblebee.”  I went to my next lesson begging to play it.  Her performance gave me something to aspire to, and in no way took away from my good feelings about my own performance that day.

Even though I have my opinion, I would love to hear yours!

 

Feel free to leave a comment explaining your reasoning!