I had an email from the piano store that lets teachers use their recital room. They are now limiting the number of performers to 20 and the seating to 50.

I'm only slightly over with 22 stuents. They are all at primer to level 2 (Faber) except one. So having this many still does not make for a too long recital.

It has occurred to me to tell each family there is room for each student and one adult accompanying the student. I can also let them know there are a few additional seats which will be given to those who sign up for them. And as long as we don't go over 50 it probably ought to be OK.

Another option is to divide the group into 2 and host twice the number of recitals. Yet the families enjoy seeing each other and it would be a loss.

I could also scout for other recital locations, and give up the free recital venue and the free DVDs of the recital that they make for each family. (Last resort!)

Any suggestions?

Do you ever invite certain students to stay home? (Like a 5 year old who just started lessons, or an 11 year old with "borderline ADD" who does not practice or progress much? Or look for someone who would like to get out of performing?)

Two of my students are tall 8th grade boys. I could let them know they can perform with the adult group. It would also help me commit to getting a recital together for the adults (I only have 3 adults). And maybe just have that group at my studio...informal etc.

Hi Ann,

It may not be necessary to seat the students in the audience, then you'd probably have enough room for all. You could have the students waiting in the main store, perhaps under the supervision of a volunteer parent. The students would be lined up and ready to perform.

John

I've never had a recital where EVERYONE showed up (I always have at least one or two become sick, forget, or have a conflict.) I've never asked anyone not to perform, but I've had a few ask if they HAVE to play.

John's suggestion is good, about having the student line up outside. However I think kids get a lot out of listening to their peers play.

After this recital, I'd start scouting for another hall. You could always charge a few dollars for the DVD.

I have 35 students and my hall will only seat 60 people. I make it as two recitals this year so I split the number of students into half. I also get head count about how many people they will be bringing and arrange them into the way that each recital will not be more than 60 people (including performers because the venue doesn't have extra seats outside the hall).

I think the main benefit of the recital is lost if the students aren't in the room to hear each other!

I also think the parents may mutiny if they both can't hear their child play. Grandparents also love to attend these events.

Divide into two recitals.

Minniemay, I agree with you, but this is for a one time, not too good situation and how to make the best of it. Students probably will hear each other, even if they're in the wings, although, it's surely not the same thing.

John

Thanks for the feedback. I just made a list of my students adding new enrollees to my last recital program. And now I see that it would be 7 more kids than last time. And it was quite a handful last time.

So I'll plan 2 recitals.

Any suggestions on dividing the group? It has occurred to me to go by height. Those who need the pedal extender would all be together.

Or go by age (almost the same thing) and group 5-7 year olds together. Ages 8 and up in 2nd recital. It may split a few siblings though.

Even though it would be nice for parents to hear more than just primer level, I think so many kids are friends with each other and they look for their same age peers. So it would be most fun for kids this way.

Any further advice?

Hi Ann!

I got the same message you did.... and my spring recital will be the week before yours, if I am looking at the calendar right. If you come up with a plan for dividing up your studio, I'm all ears! I will have 25-26 play in April, so I signed up for two back-to-back recital slots.

I do not divide the group according to age because siblings will be separate and I do not want parents to stay for two recitals since the space is limited. Actually, I do not divide the students at all. I told parents that it will be two recitals, one at 2pm and one at 4pm and ask which time they prefer.

Hi Adrienne,
I just saw where you had scheduled back to back recitals. That's a good idea. Mine is scheduled 1-4pm. Maybe I can get in two recitals in that time.

Before I saw your idea of back to back recitals, I had sent in an additional request for an additional recital day. Not sure if the computer program lets you make changes or cancellations.

Ann ~ I also noticed that on the schedule request page, the recital time slots have been changed from 3 hours to 2 hours apiece. In November, I signed up for 4-7pm. In April it will be 2-4 and 4-6. I guess this is to keep everything within business hours.

Hi Smallpiano,
Thanks for your ideas. It's good to give parents choices. I could contact the parents who have siblings and see what their preferences are. They could choose to put both kids in the age 5-7 group or both in the 8 and up group. Also I could let parents know if there is a conflict with their schedule, to let me know if they need to switch to the other recital.

Yes, and to accomodate more recitals...getting in 3 recitals (noon, 2p and 4p) instead of just 2.

And what will you do if the majority of them request the same time?

I'd assign times, keeping siblings together. Variety is best. Older students inspire the younger.

Thanks Minniemay for your advice. Yes, it makes sense about assigning times and keeping siblings together. I do think variety is good (but still weighing whether it's best.) It's nice for parents to hear what their child may be playing within a year or two. (And who wants to sit through all primer pieces?)

Many students started with a buddy. I've just lost track of who is buddy with whom. That's something I could ask each student. Two 8 year olds in particular love to compete with each other. So I should at least keep them together. Yet these two have worked so hard, and progressed so well, it would be nice to have one at each recital.

I'll have to look over my student list and try to balance the assignments with respect to age and levels...and plan to keep siblings and buddies together.

I would strongly suggest against grouping by height or by age. Letting "the little kids" hear "the big kids" is a HUGE advantage.

Thanks david for your thoughts.

After considering Minniemays advice, I divided my group into two and I'm pleased with the arrangement. Now in process of scheduling a second spring recital.

It is good for the big kids to hear the little kids too!

Glad you worked it out! Two recitals does seem the best option. Even so, you may need families to understand that there is a limit to how many grandparents and friends may attend.

A few years ago, when I had just returned to teaching, I only had 10 students and decided to host the recital in my home. We have a large family room where my 2nd - nicer - piano is, which adjoins the eating area of the kitchen. Even with pushing all the furniture to the walls, and seating all the children on the floor around the piano, we were still limited. I figured I could fit 40 people max, so I asked that each family limit themselves to 3 people in addition to the student. (Two parents and one sibling in most cases.)

Most were fine with this. Two families (the same two who are always asking for exceptions to everything!) asked to bring extra people - actually, one family asked, and the other family just did. A couple others brought fewer, so I was able to stay within my limit. But I think the exceptions may have caused some hard feelings among others who played by the rules, so I would perhaps be more stringent if that ever happened again.

I hold my recitals now in a local church, and am happy to not have to deal with the limits anymore. The church doesn't charge me, but I make a donation anyway.

Quite right. I should have added that.

Thanks to everyone who has commented. It has been really helpful to have all the ideas to consider as I go through this process.

Right now I have 11 kids for each performance. I have a time scheduled from noon to 4pm (in April). Just had that confirmed today. I'm thinking I'll have one recital at 1pm, and the next at 2pm. It leaves time for set up and arrival, and clean up.

I could have the second recital at 2:30pm...leaving more time for refreshments for the first group. I'm expecting each recital to only take about 20 minutes. I'd prefer to tighten up the schedule, by starting the second one at 2pm though...so as not to be stuck waiting around. Also the kids may get the chance to say hello to each other in passing.

I'm calling the groups "Blue Team" and "Red Team".

I do think a church venue would be nice as far as having enough seating. I don't really know what's available. For now with the great location, plentiful parking, and guaranteed tuned Steinway grand at the dealer, I'll just stick with 2 consecutive recitals.

Well, if you're going to be that picky...

I'm not that picky. Just needs to be a good tuned piano. I don't know how good local churches are about tuning. Maybe it'd be fine.

Will need to get more information and find out fees.

The other plus from the dealer though is that they record the recital and give a DVD to me for each family.

I'm teasing, Ann. Playing on a well-tuned Steinway grand would be a great incentive to use their facilities!

The church I use has a digital piano. It is not my first choice, but it is a good quality instrument, and the facilities are otherwise perfect - free, good size, and close by. Since I teach beginners, and none of them (including me) has a grand, it's not that big a deal. But your location sounds great.

A grand piano is in the "would be nice" category, not necessary. But electronic keyboard for a piano recital? That's going a bit too far in the other direction in my opinion. If I had a choice between a good venue with an electronic keyboard and a poor venue (like my basement) with a real piano, I'd swallow my pride and go with the real piano.

I don't consider this digital piano in quite the same category as an "electronic keyboard." (Other than, yes, it is electronic, and does have a keyboard...)

I'm not a fan of digital pianos in general, but this one really is quite adequate. Nice touch. Nice tone. In tune. Feels like a piano, not a gadget. Easy enough to position exactly where we want it. And at our last recital, one of my students got to play "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" on the organ setting. Just added a bit of interest.

The acoustics at the church are superb. A piano in my basement would not begin to compare.

The hall in the back, where we have our reception, does have a very nice upright that I like. Prior to our first recital, I seriously considered moving the recital back there. But realized I was being a snob about it - the digital piano is not deficient in any way, and the setting is better.