My piano teacher is running a concert for St Cecelia's Day. It's mostly choral pieces (he runs two choirs) with some instrumental bits in between.

But... his percussionist (who was going to be doing a xylophone solo, The Flight of the Bumble-bee) dropped out on Wednesday. So he came and asked me if I would play something, to fill out the concert.

I don't know whether to be pleased that he asked me first, out of all his other pupils, or to be scared stiff! Going with the latter at the moment, though it might change after the performance!!

Anyway, just wondering what the shortest time is that people have been given notice of for performing? The pianist at our church regularly chooses the hymns at about 10am on Sunday morning (just after he gets up...), but he is amazing, compared to me anyway. I suppose so are a lot of people on these forums!

MB

It just so happens I am performing on Sunday too, a family concert and I'm really nervous - so I'll be thinking of you!!

Be pleased. Best wishes for a successful and enjoyable concert.

About a minute and a half!!! I had gone to hear my teacher and her vioinist friend in a Chamber music performance, when she turned to me and asked (=commanded!) "Tom can you play something for us as an introduction."

It worked out well because there was no time to get nervous or fret about it.

I was just leaving my singing lesson (one day last year) when my teacher told me about a flower festival at her church hall - she was just setting off and would I like to go?
Yes, that would be nice, thanks.
Oh, and I'll bring the music and you can sing while everyone looks at the flowers.

Thanks!

Just choose something you are very comfortable playing!

We've chosen the piece. It's Clair de Lune, because I don't really have anything else at the moment that I can play well enough. (Except my jazz piece from Grade 6, but that doesn't really fit in with the rest of the concert!) I would have liked to do something like Mozart or Haydn but unfortunately it won't be ready!

I have to wear black and white concert dress. Because I have choir, church, a bring and share lunch and then a drama rehearsal, that means I have to go home and change, and I'll have about 10 minutes to eat before going out again. I have a ridiculously busy life.

Goodness...what a hectic day!

Good luck with your performance and let us know how it goes!

How did it go?

I totally messed up 2 pieces that I had to start again.... I was so disappointed.

Sorry to hear that. It must be dissapointing when that happens, but chin up and keep going! I love Claire de Lune by the way.

Don't fret. It is all part of the education of a pianist.

I once completely forgot what came next in Chopin's etude Op 10 No 7 and had to stop and re-start - THREE TIMES. When I finally got past the danger point at the 4th attempt and made it to the end the very considerate audience gave a bigger cheer than for any of the pieces that I had played well.

Well done. It's frustrating when things don't go to plan but I think it helps the audience understand that they've just heard something extraordinary that not just anyone can pop onto the stage and do.

Well, it was OK. Unfortunately it was not a great piano and the pedal squeaked, so my teacher had to introduce me saying "she will play clair de lune, 'pedal permitting'"
Anyway, I made quite a few mistakes, but managed to keep going, and several people complimented my playing. My teacher wants to get me doing as much performing as possible over the next year or so, or even get into accompanying , just to have more variety, and give me some more confidence. Hmmmm.

Suggestion: Kuhlau Sonatina in C Major Op.20.No.1 1st movement-Allegro. 3 days(every day 2 hours) enough to practice for concert. This piece is very musical and easy to learn. Or you can play Maple Leaf Rag that you already learned before—It is nice piece.

wow I wish I had the opportunity to accompany... sounds like you got a great teacher there.