Do you want to make your recitals more exciting? Do you wish that your piano parents looked forward to your recitals? Do you want your students to feel as confident and comfortable on stage as they do in the practice room?
Well then today’s podcast episode is for you!
We all want our students to become well-rounded musicians. So why only organise traditional classical recitals once a year? Kristin Yost has some amazing, inspirational piano events in her studio; and I’m so excited she’s taken the time to share some of her ideas with you. From pop piano showcases, to collaborative events with other art forms, to student only performance opportunities…the list goes on! Take a listen to today’s episode and start planning some amazing concerts in your studio this year!
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In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why you should be rethinking how you organise recitals
- What “arts fusion” is, and how you could integrate the other arts in your concerts
- How you can get even your absolute beginners involved in a pop showcase
- Some great ideas for themed recitals
- How to fund your student recitals
- Where to look for great venues
- How to make recitals more relaxed and fun for your students
Items mentioned in this podcast:
- Kristin’s studio ‘Centre for Musical Minds’
- Kristin’s personal website
- Kristin’s book ‘How I Made $100,000 My First Year as a Piano Teacher’
- Hal Leonard ‘Pop Piano Hits’
- Piano Flix ‘Teaching Pop Piano’
- David Cutler’s website
- David Cutler’s book: The Savvy Musician
- Super Metronome Groovebox (iPad app)
Today’s free download:
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What have you done to spice up your recitals?
Do you organise themed student concerts? Have you ever done a collaborative recital? I’d love to hear about it below!
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13 Comments
I am in the process of organizing a recital next month. It will be the fourth one for my studio as I do one in the fall & one in the spring & I have only been teaching for two years. I really wanted to make sure I offered recitals for my students so the first fall I was teaching I collaborated with a violin teacher I know to combine our recitals so they each had more substance. I only had 6 students & she had 4 so it lasted just under 30 minutes but was much better than the 10 minutes it would have been on my own. Now I am up to 14 students which is about all I can fit in after my day job so recitals are closer to an hour. I am SUPER excited to look into hiring some professionals for a jam session maybe at the end of August for my summer students. Thanks once again for such a great resource & the sharing of ideas between studios!
Thanks Julie – glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like you’re planning some great things this year. I’m actually testing out the pop showcase idea this year for the first time too. We’ll have to compare notes in December!!
Loved the idea that Kristin and crew presented at NCKP on color-themed slideshow as visual accompaniment to the music.
I once did a recital that featured a lot of international tunes as a “flight around the world”, greeting the audience as their “pilot” from a wireless mic offstage. Students served as “flight attendants” seating the guests and even passing out snacks.
We do an annual awards show for the students that doubles as a concert by all our instructors. It’s important that the students see the investment we’ve made in our own musical development and that we live by the motto “share your music” and don’t just preach it!
We also do a traditional recital at Christmas and then a SummerJam stage event where the kids get to jam with area rock stars.
Love the “flight around the world” idea! Great ideas and implementation, Aeron. Do you have a website? I’d love to see some of your work.
Great discussion Tim. In our music schools we call them Forte Festivals. Our students learn in classes so they have the opportunity to play together and in front of each other all the time. So at a Festival they get to perform in front of other classes which is a great experience for both themselves and their parents. Especially when they see older children. As we start them in class from the age of 5 by the time their 9 or 10 they are quite experienced performers which means performing isn’t as scary.
I really loved hearing about Kristin’s arts play involving art and music – I’ve never thought about doing something like that (mainly because I’m so artistically challenged) – but I’m certainly now inspired to maybe give it a go. The other was engaging with professional musicians. I actually teach quite a few professional musician’s kids, so wouldn’t it be kewl to have someone’s Dad play with the class 😉 – thanks again mate – great blog!
Also for Aussie listeners if you want to get an AirTurn, kosmic.com.au sell them for AU$89 including delivery which is a whole lot cheaper than buying via the US and adding postage.
Hey Paul – Cheers for your thoughts and great to hear that you’re already trying out some of these new ideas. I think it all just comes down to having the ideas to do things differently and just exploring new ways.. it’s a bit like teaching really 😉
Thanks for the feedback, Paul!
At my Spring Recital last May, I hired a rhythm section (bass guitar, drums, acoustic guitar) to do one piece with each of my students. I made charts (for the band) in iReal Pro, and then recorded each student a couple of weeks before the performance, so the band could hear them doing the pieces. I like the idea of having the students create their own charts! We did have a quick rehearsal the morning of the recital.
Hey Anna. Sounds like you’re a step ahead of the game: nice going 🙂 Most importantly, did the kids enjoy it?
Oh, yes! Coolest thing ever 🙂
Anna, did your students love it? Did you have a good time? Glad to hear you hired a rhythm section for them to play along with.
Everyone had a great time! The guys in the rhythm section even wanted to know if we can do it again next year !