Hi

I've got 6 piano pupils - ranging from grade 1 to 3 - and have agreed with them that we will prepare a small, informal concert in a few months for parents, grannies, etc - so that they can all show off their improving skills.

I wondered - what's the etiquette for these type of events? Should I play? If so - first, last or somewhere in the middle? What type of music have other's found best? What about physical location and set-up - any hints and tips?

Would welcome any thoughts.

Katie P

Play a duet with one of them - make it simple, don't show off. Not just is this a chance for your pupils to perform, it's a chance to show the parents that you're good at performing and teaching, plus you can show the children that you're just like them, but that you're also at a stage that they can aim for. Unfortunately, those last 2 tend to conflict, so don't play anything harder than about grade 4/5

When I run student perfomances like this all the families bring along a plate of party food to share at the end which is always popular.

I print programmes too and ask the audience to think what they like best about each performance while they are listening and then to write it down, also the lesson after I try to ask which pieces they heard that they really liked that they might want to learn in the future.

I've always meant to get the kids to introduce themselves and the piece but they seem unreasonably anxious about this mostly so I do it!

QUOTE (KatieP @ Aug 9 2004, 09:19 AM)

I've got 6 piano pupils - ranging from grade 1 to 3 - and have agreed with them that we will prepare a small, informal concert in a few months for parents, grannies, etc - so that they can all show off their improving skills. I wondered - what's the etiquette for these type of events?

If it's your and their first concert I suggest you keep it all pretty simple, but a concert, however informal, is a great opportunity to teach performing skills.

The absolute minimum is that everyone must finish their performance with a smile and a bow. That's the accepted way to thank the audience for applauding. People are usually _very_ self-conscious about this at first unless they are very young indeed - IIRC my older daughter played in her first little concert at her teacher's house when she was 5 and she absolutely loved the whole performing bit. She wore her favourite dress and really enjoyed learning how to do a bow holding her violin.

When my pupils play in festivals I also coach them in doing a simple announcement of what they are going to play, which again tends to frighten them at first, but it's a very useful skill to learn. I tell them always to start with "I am going to play..." so that people notice that they ought to be listening and didn't miss the important bit, and to speak more slowly and strongly than usual. It's helpful to get them to practise this while you stand as far away from them as possible. You may find that some of your pupils have had to read in school assemblies or have done some acting, so that speaking more slowly than usual and not letting their voice go quiet at the end of a sentence is already familiar.

I think it can be helpful to suggest at least a basic dress code. For performances by the adult beginners' orchestra that I run I've suggested "smart casual", however they choose to interpret that (which turns out to be anything from "wear a tie" to "a long skirt, a pretty blouse and some jewellery"), and said that for me that doesn't amount to much more than "no everyday jeans". It's probably worth adding "and comfortable to play in"! You may need to think about people's financial backgrounds and avoid suggesting anything that might make them feel they needed to spend a lot of money dressing their children up.

I hope you will invent an occasion that everyone will enjoy.

dacapo's made a very good point with the dress code - every concert I've run I've run on school property, which means they're worn school uniform - it's good to have all your performers well dressed, although things must indeed be comfortable. I've spent years wanting to wear a kilt into a concert because I have a feeling it'd be more confortable than the relatively tight dress trousers that finish off my dinner suit.

QUOTE (KatieP @ Aug 9 2004, 09:19 AM)

I've got 6 piano pupils - ranging from grade 1 to 3 - and have agreed with them that we will prepare a small, informal concert...  Should I play?  If so - first, last or somewhere in the middle?

That's a tricky one. I think the pupils would probably find it rather daunting if you played anywhere other than at the end, but the families would probably like to hear you play if they haven't done so already. I think someone else suggested that you shouldn't play anything too complicated. Do you know the ABRSM "Spectrum" series? The pieces in them are mostly short, and as each one is by a different composer they are very varied. A couple of contrasting pieces from one of them - perhaps Book 2 which has the easier ones - would be an interesting choice. My first piano teacher definitely didn't play at her pupils' concerts and I don't remember my second teacher ever playing a solo though he did sometimes play a duet with one of his advanced pupils.

I've never had to make that decision because although I taught piano for a short time I didn't organise any concerts, and later I taught flute, and I was usually accompanying my own or other people's pupils at concerts rather than playing solos.

I really enjoy arranging pupil's concerts and think the pupils (and parents etc) get a good deal out of them. I have arranged about 20 and played a couple of times myself. However I always encourage them to play any other instruments as well - this includes any instrument playing brothers, sisters, mum, dad etc and then I always try and accompany them. I feel this shows another side to the piano without making me the centre of attention in any way. What's brilliant about them is the development that can be seen from concert to concert.

I teach quite a few NERVOUS adults or refuse point blank to play if I hire a hall - which I did try once - Now I always have them at home. I think it makes it a little more relaxed. I do insist they introduce their piece etc and agree with Da Capo's points. The order of playing is important. I have pupils ranging from very beginners to diploma. I always try and keep apart same age children at wildly different levels and group beginners together. They seem to love it and most straight away ask when the next concert is coming up. Hope that is of some help. Margaret

QUOTE (margaret @ Aug 13 2004, 04:19 PM)

I always encourage them to play any other instruments as well - this includes any instrument playing brothers, sisters, mum, dad etc and then I always try and accompany them. I feel this shows another side to the piano without making me the centre of attention in any way.

My son's 'cello teacher always liked to involve siblings who played other instruments too, to add variety to the programme. At one of her concerts I heard a 9-year-old accompany her much older sister playing the 'cello. She already had a real feel for accompanying even at that age. If you enjoy accompanying (I love it!) I agree that it's an excellent opportunity to play yourself without taking the limelight.

QUOTE (margaret @ Aug 13 2004, 04:19 PM)

I teach quite a few NERVOUS adults who refuse point blank to play if I hire a hall - which I did try once - Now I always have them at home. I think it makes it a little more relaxed.

For the past nine years I've been running an elementary orchestra for adults, and our end of term performances for "friendly eavesdroppers" include orchestral items and a mixture of solos with or without piano and chamber music items. These are nearly all played by current or ex members of the orchestra. Quite a lot of people have now played their first ever solos to an audience at one of these events. I always have at least one individual rehearsal with them beforehand if I'm going to be accompanying them, and more if they want it, and they know they will have a really supportive audience, but of course they are nervous. On the other hand I don't think I can remember a single one so far who wasn't glad afterwards that they had done it. It probably helps that all the performers are adults who can really relate to what they are going through.

A few of them have said they wouldn't do it again, but some of them, as well as some who haven't ever played a solo, have been happy to play in little chamber music groups. I don't ever feel I can predict either how people will feel about performing or how well they will do it, even after I've rehearsed with them. There's no external pressure on anyone to play either a solo or a chamber music item. I just let them know the opportunity is there, and that they have a completely free choice of what they play, so that they can choose something they really like and are comfortable with.

They do have to play in a hall. For the first eight years I ran the orchestra as an evening class, in a cavernous secondary school hall. I do it independently now and have found a couple of pleasant smaller halls which are much more friendly.

By the way, I often wear a badge that says "FORGET PERFECTION" (which was designed by an artist friend for something unconnected with music), and I'm thinking of getting two more designs made up, one saying "my best is good enough" and the other "nerves are normal"!

QUOTE (margaret @ Aug 13 2004, 04:19 PM)

The order of playing is important. I have pupils ranging from very beginners to diploma. I always try and keep apart same age children at wildly different levels and group beginners together.

I strongly agree with this. Among other things I try to guess who will be the most nervous, and make sure they play early in the programme.

QUOTE

At one of her concerts I heard a 9-year-old accompany her much older sister playing the 'cello. She already had a real feel for accompanying even at that age. If you enjoy accompanying (I love it!) I agree that it's an excellent opportunity to play yourself without taking the limelight.

I much prefer accompanying people to actually playing the main solo part~ unfortunetly not playing piano you don't get many opportunities for this! When I was doing my earlier grades it used to drive my accompanist mad that I tried to fit my exam pieces around what he was playing while he tried to do the same for me~ you can imagine the mess we got into. It has taken a long time for me to get used to taking the limelight~ and I still don't like it now, I'd much rather be chugging away on one of those nice simple backgroud parts than showing off with a busy melody.

I guess I simply chose the wrong instrument!

Thanks all for advice - all taken on board. I have been offered use of one families home - so the setting and piano will be familiar for 2 students. As I'm introducing duets to most of my students at the moment - hopefully that will be how I add to the concert. I'm conscious of having never played for the parents - but also of not wanting to put off the students - a difficult balance.

Will let you all know how it goes.

Katie P