Christmas Concert (for Adult Pupils), First one! Options

[Dove]

I'm holding an informal little concert in early Dec for all my adult students (for a whole host of reasons, I'm keeping it to adults this time).

As I've not done this before, I was wondering what the best approach is - my pupils know and some have signed up, some are dithering; Some are already working on the pieces I think they'll play, but with most we'll do a new piece. None of them have 'officially' decided which piece they'll play.

I'm thinking about getting it all sorted over the next week, making sure the pieces are not at the edge of their standard, and maybe having a little 'performance workshop' or two a week or so beforehand if I think it will help the more nervous ones (and most of them are nervous!).

They're mostly beginners, so I don't think it will be a very long concert! I have 15 adults, and I'm sure not all of them will come - so what are your thoughts:

Will it be silly to have just a 15min concert?! I think it'll still be fun, but I don't want them to be too disappointed...what's the shortest 'concert' you've ever hosted?

Should I double the length/performance involvement by doing duets with some/all of them? Or will this end up putting them under more pressure (and poss me too - will have to buy a duet book or two etc)

Is it unfair if some perform twice and others don't?

I guess I'm just a bit nervous to be honest! Both because it's the first time they'll all meet each other, and may wonder why I don't have more advanced students (especially if my few gr5-7s don't make it and it's just pre-grade 1 people!), and because the space issues means that there are some logistic things - although I teach on an acoustic piano, they'll perform on a clavinova as it's in the bigger room; seating will prob be pretty 'cosy'...should I move the clavinova so it's side on to the audience? (instead of currently - the performer would be facing the wall!)

Still I'm committed to doing it, even if only 3 turn up! (and more than that have already said yes). I have this lovely image in my head of it being a nice evening, cheese and wine, chance for them to feel supported by each other and get the excitement and satisfaction of playing in front of others...