Recitals are special occasions designed to give students a chance to share their music and gain valuable performance experience. They provide a benchmark to measure growth from year to year, and an incentive for students to practice and polish pieces they are working on.
There will be many recital sessions scheduled throughout the day in various rooms throughout the church building. Please do not ask to have your child perform at the beginning or the end of their recital session – students and families are expected to be on time and stay for the entire recital that their children are performing in. We are organizing the recital sessions to be about an hour long.
Learning about and practicing recital etiquette is an important part of a student’s musical education, so we ask that families read and discuss these guidelines with their children.
Performer Etiquette
- Dress appropriately. Choose conservative over casual in terms of shoe styles, hem length of dresses and straps for tops. Avoid jewelry that makes noise as you move; heels that are difficult to walk in; and sleeves that get in the way of playing.
- Be on time. Your teacher will let you know when and where to meet before the recital to warm up. This will be at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the recital. If you are playing with an accompanist, you may be asked to arrive earlier to rehearse together.
- Be prepared. Make sure you have your music, instrument and any necessary accessories before leaving home (bow, rosin, capo, tuner, etc.)
- Be respectful. Refrain from whispering, talking, or using electronic devices. Show the other performers the same courtesy you want to be shown.
- Enter and exit with confidence. You should bow at the end and acknowledge the accompanist (if you have one). Teachers will go over this in lessons.
Audience Etiquette
- Arrive on time or a little early. Late arrivals are distracting to the audience, and they can be unnerving for the performer.
- Turn off cell phones and other electronic devices. Ring tones and electronic chirps are distracting; and texting, reading emails and playing games while students are performing is disrespectful.
- Do not cause distractions. Bring something (a quiet game or book) to keep young children under 8 years old occupied. Children over 8 should be able to sit quietly and watch.
- Take disruptive infants or toddlers out of the recital as soon as they become fussy. Please sit close to an aisle so that you can leave without too much commotion. We will come to get you when your child performs.
- Do not talk, whisper, rattle papers or eat during the recital.
- Stay for the entire performance to show respect for all of the musicians.
Photos and Video
- A seat in front will be reserved so that a parent/guardian can move forward to take photos or videos of their child performing. No flash photography, please.
- A group photo, with the teacher, will be taken at the end of each recital session.
Reception
- Each family should bring something to share (cookies, brownies, cupcakes, fruit, drinks). Make sure it is something that can be hand-held.