It’s piano recital time!
My students (your children) have been working hard for this moment!
Unlike a rock concert or a sports game, a piano recital is a presentation put on by children, teens and amateur musicians who can get thrown off if there’s too much noise or activity in the audience.
It takes a lot of focus (and a quiet room) to perform intricate piano music. Here’s how to be a good audience member:
1. Parent education
‘Etiquette’ is the word for polite behaviour.
But in a piano recital, etiquette isn’t just for show or to act ‘pretentious.’ Good audience behaviour minimizes distractions and therefore helps nervous, young performers to play their very best.
These rules of behaviour are more than just social expectations, they are in place to help the performers feel special, respected and like their hard work is appreciated.
This behaviour is expected at any top-notch performance. Learning to be a good audience in a piano recital means that you and your children will be ready to attend any formal recital, ballet or symphony concert (or even a high school band concert).
2. Please arrive early
A calm performer has a better chance of collecting their thoughts and focusing on performance goals.
To drive in a rush, park with little time, run to the hall, and arrive barely on time and out of breath means the young performer will be disoriented and flustered. This doesn’t set them up to play their best.
Plan ahead to arrive at least 15 minutes early so that your child can feel confident, calm and focused.
It’s also a good idea to be sure everyone has used the washroom before the performance begins.
3. Bring your ‘listening ears’
Listen to your own child, listen to every child.
An audience is a team with two goals: to listen attentively and to show appreciation. This is what it means to be a good audience member.
If you attend several recitals over time, you will notice progress not only in your own child(ren) but also in the entire group. This is motivating!
4. ‘Stay’ for the whole program
Your attention, smiles and applause matter to every child and teen.
Plan to remain for the entire concert to show your support for your child(ren) and their studio mates.
In today’s world, the amount of focus time required of us seems to be getting shorter and shorter. This is your chance to participate in a good old-fashioned event that asks you to extend the length of quality time you can give to one activity.
Piano recitals are a rare occasion and take precedence over sports practices or games, which occur much more frequently.
It is important to attend the entire performance, as listening is a musical skill that is learned through experience.
5. Avoid distracting activities
Distractions diminish the quality of piano performances. To give your best support to every performer throughout the recital, please adhere to these rules:
No flash photography
Photos are handled in different ways. Ask your teacher!
- Some teachers have a policy of ‘no flash photos’ and others have a ‘no photos’ policy.
- Some recitals will have a designated photographer and distribute photos after the event.
- Some teachers will offer an opportunity for photos to be staged and taken after the recital has ended.
Turn off all mobile phones
Any blip, ding, ringtone or buzz will be heard clearly throughout the entire performance hall, disrupting all listeners as well as the performer. Don’t be that person.
No whispering or talking
If you speak, you’ll be asked to perform next. Whispering isn’t safe, either, as it’s louder than talking. Extended conversations will get you kicked out. Public shaming isn’t out of the question.
(All said ‘tongue in cheek’ — however, please get the point. A piano recital is a place to pay attention to the music.)
Keep programs from rustling
Please try to keep your paper program nice and still, as the rustling can be noisy and distracting.
Limit coming and going
Moving around during a performance can throw off performers. If you must enter or exit the hall, please wait for applause to do so.
Be sure that the doors don’t make any noise when you open and close them.
Recording videos?
Some teachers will have a designated videographer, with the option to distribute videos after the recital.
Some teachers allow you to discreetly film your own child. Please do not replay your videos during the recital.
Store flowers
The rustle of plastic wrapping around flowers can be very noisy. Some teachers have a bucket available to hold them until the end, when you’ll be able to present the flowers to your performer(s).
Mute yourself online
If you are watching online, please be sure you mute yourself. The host is not always able to ‘mute all.’ Your noises can be heard and can be disruptive.
6. Little audience members
Piano kids often have younger siblings. Here are some ideas to help them participate as audience members yet remain quiet:
- Perhaps parents could choose to sit further towards the back of the performance hall.
- Have a quiet activity in your bag just in case, like a colouring book.
- For fidgety kids, have an elastic band or silly putty for them to handle.
- Avoid setting them up with a screen. This is a chance for younger children to hear live music.
- Moments of applause are built-in opportunities to wiggle. Once the clapping stops, settle down again.
- Chewing gum and candy wrappers are quite distracting. Plan for quieter options.
- If your little one gets too chatty, giggly or wiggly, you might want to take them out the next time there’s applause.
Let’s do this!
This post has been designed to be shared and to help you put on your best recital ever!
If you are a piano teacher reading this blog post, please share it with your piano families.
If you are a piano parent, please share it with other invited guests.
Now that you’re familiar with audience expectations, let’s have a wonderful recital!
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Video of the Week
Chasing Butterflies (Early Intermediate, Level 3) is an imaginative pattern piece for Early Intermediate piano. It features hand-over-hand movement across the keyboard, pedal work and dreamy, jazzy harmonies. The patterns that ‘chase’ are in octaves, and in the B section the LH chases (imitates) the RH. Levels: US, Early Intermediate. AMEB, Grade 2. ABRSM Grade 2. RCM, Level 3. Check out the Chasing Butterflies eSheet!
Thank you Rebekah!
You’re welcome, Brenda! 🙂
Thanks Rebekah. This is so lightly said, but makes the point clear. I’ll be sharing it!
Laura, I’m so glad it resonates! It’s a tough balance to keep it short but enough and light but effective. All the best with your recital!
I read this at the start of my last recital and we had the best recital in years! You could have heard a pin drop in the audience and then because I encouraged cheering at the end of each performance, the smiles on the students’ faces were the biggest I have ever seen!
Wow! I’m so happy to hear this! It sounds like your students had an unforgettable experience!