It is MAY - and that means Spring Recital in my studio! I have considered changing my two annual studio recitals to months other than December and May, but somehow it never seems like a good idea! One reason for this, perhaps, is my love of Christmas music - and nobody wants to hear Jingle Bells in any month other than December! I have come to realize that my students like the Christmas season as well and look forward to choosing a different (and more challenging) song or piece each year, and it’s often one they heard a student play the prior year! Spring semester is always interrupted by Spring Break week, and the focus is on AIM exams and Awards Competition. So this past year was no exception in my studio - we had our Holiday Recital on December 6 and will have our Spring Recital on May 15.

For the past 5 years, I have changed the format of my Spring Recital to that of a Studio Ensemble Recital. Students play duets or ensembles with other students, with me, with another instructor, or with a parent or grandparent. I think it is important to teach students to play well with others! Taking piano lessons is, for the most part, a solitary endeavor for students - hours spent at the piano by themselves. But they quickly learn that playing a duet with a friend (or relative) is fun! They also realize that it requires more skill and adaptability - and parents value the ability to plan, prepare, focus, listen, and coordinate in order to create a pleasing performance. I also enjoy taking the opportunity to engage parents and grandparents in their child’s recital by having them play. It also helps to have a bass guitar/percussion instructor in the studio - what student doesn’t want drums or bass with their favorite jazz piece?? Playing with others who play a different instrument can encourage students to try learning a different instrument as well!

There are many, many ways to vary a recital. Pinterest is FULL of ideas. Variety is a good thing - consider different themes. Think about a seasonal theme - all music from the particular season of the year. Or use music composed by one composer. Or try a Medieval theme - students can play pieces about knights, kings and queens, and even dress the part. A Disney theme or movie theme would be popular - students love spy movies, superheroes, and other characters - and they could come in costume. During Olympic years, pieces could reflect games and contests - “Go for the Gold” and “Relay Race” (Hal Leonard) or you could have a game or contest built into your recital program. I would love to hear from you, members, about what you do in your studio recitals to keep students engaged, learning, and enjoying their playing.

I hope you all have a great month - here’s to a successful studio recital in all our studios!

Brenda Haynes, President

NWSMTA