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...

I got coerced into playing 3 times in my first student concert...

If the student is comfortable with doing it, it's fine. Some people won't want to play more than once, though as they might find the stress too much to deal with.

As an adult learner I find duets with my teacher a very reassuring way of playing in public since regardless of how badly I play he always manages to make the piece sound reasonable.

Have you thought about closing the concert by playing something yourself? I like listening to my teacher because it gives me something to aspire to (or rather allows me to indulge in a bit of wishful thinking) but I also like watching him play to see how he does things.

You'll find that if they each do a piece 1 minute long it could easily stretch into 20 minutes plus - especially if you or the student would like to introduce each piece and maybe say why they like it or why they chose it.

You could give them the choice of playing more than one piece - then those who would rather not won't feel pressured.

Good luck with your planning! I've not yet done an adults-only concert. I don't think the length is important - but cheese and wine is a great idea, and will take some of the focus from the concert part of the evening if it ends up a bit shorter than you 'd ideally like.

My clarinet teacher had a concert for adults earlier this year.
There were (I think) 7 of us so we were allowed more playing time than would be possible with bigger numbers. I got the opportunity to play piano too and my own adult piano students were invited but couldn't make it. There were duets as well as solo items and everybody brought contributions to the refreshments which we enjoyed as we socialised after the concert.

Oh yes! My teacher has asked his other adult pupils if they'd like to get together, but although one of them may come and play at the next Leeds concert in January, most of them have run a mile at the idea of playing in front of people - apparently I'm very strange for wanting to do it



I wouldn't regard it as unfair at all - it's each to their own choice And the first time someone does it, they may say never again, but by the time they've watched everyone else doing it and they feel a bit more relaxed, they might be itching to have another go (although they might outwardly still need "persuading" )


Yes I love listening to both my clarinet and my piano teacher play. Even if you go to a concert, you rarely get to hear a clarinet on its own, and even at a piano concerto, there's the orchestra in the background. And you can never get really close at a concert anyway. It's a real treat to listen to my teachers play



I'm sure it will be! And probably the first of many - hope you have a great time!



Edit. If not all your pupils want to come and play, would they come anyway as the audience and to socialise? Then next time, maybe they will have the confidence to play something themselves?

I think your ideas sound fine.

I think playing duets is fun - reassuring, as kerioboe says, that something sounds good. If they're pre-Grade 1 don't buy regular duets but choose regular beginner books that have accompaniments - they sound great.

Some of my pupils play two pieces, some three, nobody questions it - I think only one is a little 'skinny', one and then an easy piece with you would be good.

I always turn the piano/keyboard so the pupil plays with his back basically to the audience but at an angle, so you can see the piano keys and hands and part of the face - the same as a concert pianist. It looks best and is also reassuring (they're not looking at the audience).

Short concerts are best (especially at this level) - I'm not sure I would even invite the Grade 6s if all the rest are pre-Grade 1.
Make sure you give a little speech at the beginning, a motivational 'anyone-can-learn-whatever-their-age' sort of thing. And have drinks and crisps or whatever afterwards - the social side is vital. (And do a running order - people like to know).

Good luck.

It is nerve racking at first Dove - but I'm now on my 3rd annual concert and I know everyone enjoys playing, even though of course adults are more nervous than the children. They are always pleased that they've got up there and done it. If it's all adults there will be a huge mutual respect and feeling that they are all in the same boat.

I think its a great idea - also to create a sense of community as your adults will get to meet each other. Some of my adult pupils now go for regular coffees together as a result of meeting each other, which I think is great!

I don't think it really matters how many pieces each person plays - if a couple of pupils have a few ready then why not!

Short concerts are no problem at all - I think it's good when an event is concise and to the point for a change so many go over the top!

I usually give information about achievements over the year and little anecdotes from lessons etc while the pupil gets settled at the piano etc.

Yes you should definitely play something yourself - my pupils now ask me what I'm going to be doing. It shows that you are prepared to get up and do what you have asked of them & you can also inspire them!

Good luck

It's amazing how long a concert can get with all the moving about and adjusting that happens between people, putting music up, finding the page, winding the stool to the right height, calming the nerves enough to begin. It also shows you can have a concert without things having to be really fussy - it can be off-putting to a beginner to feel they have to fill loads of time. Duets are a great way of inspiring some confidence into those who would love to take part but feel like they are not up to it, and having gone half way there this time they will be ready to try on their own next time around. If you have 15 minutes of playing then that will easily become a half hour concert once everyone has to get up and down and accept their applause. Cheese and wine and a chance to tell each other how relieved they all are and how proud they are of each other is an excellent plan.

This need not be a problem if you programme things carefully.
Start with someone who is not so good that they'll terrify people but who is confident enough to cope even if things don't go perfectly. After that go roughly in order of ability and leave the most accomplished til the end.
People do generally enjoy hearing students who are further anlong in their musical journey.

Until now, I've done an end of year concert for all my pupils. This year I've decided to go for 'little and often' and I'm having 2 informal concerts each for adults and pupils this term. I'm keeping it very low key as I have several very nervous new students. I'm allowing them to come and watch only if they prefer, for their first concert. Each one is probably going to last around an hour to hour and a half in total, including socialising afterwards.

My first 'do' for adults threatened to fall apart as 3 out of 5 couldn't make it. I invited a friend along who I play duets with, and dragooned my Mum. My 4th adult pulled out at the last minute, so I was left with just one of my pupils. Even so, we had a nice evening. I planned various group activities to break the ice - in the end we did just a little bit of playing by rote - everyone playing the same thing on one piano with me accompanying on the digital. It helped to break the ice. I hadn't planned to perform anything, but ended up playing snippets of 3 pieces that I am currently working on - this seemed to be a revelation to my student, who hadn't realised that I still needed to learn and practise!

It is amazing how a seemingly brief programme expands to fill twice the time. Just keep everything very relaxed, present the pieces as "work in progress" and a chance to see what everyone else is learning. Have some refreshments ready at the end and bingo, you will have a successful event. Enjoy!