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Last Saturday night I hosted the a home recital for adult students of various teachers in my area. I advertised it through the local Music Teacher's Association with the help of my teacher. All but 2 had never played for anyone except their teacher and the family at home; one had played at only one previous teacher's recital. We ranged from beginners to 9+ years of study, but none had been taking as adults for more than 3 years. It was so great!! No audience except ourselves, so we all understood the nerves and the mistakes and the re-starts. We have set dates in February and May for our next get-togethers.
I was a little nervous about the kind of response I'd get when I first started, but it was unanimously a great idea. Playing in the teacher's recital for all the kids and their parents is so intimidating!
How about try the same thing in your area? There are a lot more of us adult students out there than I thought there were, and they all want to share their music with other adults who understand.

Beth

That's great, Beth! I'm glad it went well. Jodi

Great idea!

Terrific idea, Beth. Now, if I could just find someone else who plays the piano and who lives within a few hours' drive by dog-sled, I'd be tempted to do the same at my place.

Glad to hear that it was a success.

Regards,

That is a great idea. Maybe it'll help people (including myself) to overcome stage fright. Nerves got the best of me at my recital this past June.

BruceD: I live in southeastern PA. I'm about 30-35 miles north of Philly.


Hilary, who wishes this cold bug would go away

haha I've been having a cold too... and I've been coughing and sneezing all over my piano... yuck.

Bruce,

I don't have a dog-sled, but I do have a car. I'll be over. We could have it at your place first, and then at my place.

Mike

[ November 16, 2001: Message edited by: Mike Pappadakis ]

Good luck, Mike and Bruce. I bet you could find a few others to join in too. Make a few new friends along the way. And tell them about Piano World!

my teacher holds piano potluck parties every couple of months for all of her adult students (there are about 17 of us). we rotate around to the different students' homes. everyone brings something to eat or drink, and most of us have something prepared to play.

as i'm a relatively new student of this teacher, i've only been to two of these parties so far, and have played at just one. it was a great experience for me! i've always suffered terribly from stage fright, but just seeing other adult students play, some of them mere beginners not even playing both hands together yet, really boosted my confidence. almost everyone makes false starts, stops in the middle, plays lots of wrong notes, etc. i felt like, "hey, i can make a fool of myself, too!"

i ended up loving it and now look forward to other chances to play for others. i overcame years of stage fright in just one night. what really helped is how supportive everyone is of each other, and what a lighthearted approach they take to the whole enterprise. every single one of the other students made it a point to come up to me and tell me how much they enjoyed my playing. a big confidence booster.

make sure you have lots of wine on hand to steady the nerves after playing. our rule is you can't drink until after you've played your piece. it's fun to watch everyone stagger from the piano and grab their well-earned glass of wine!

Mike : Sounds like a possible plan. LadyElton (alias Hilary): You'd be welcome to join us if we can find a mutually convenient time.

Regards,

Bruce,

I know it's a hike for Rich Galassini (he could choose dog-sled or car), but maybe we could convice him to join us? Rich, if you're reading this, how about it?

Mike

I hosted a piano party in Los Angeles a few months ago and it was a blast. Some forum members, Penny, Niles Duncan and Lisa Weller, Steve Cohen came and several others. I thought it would be akward, but it was fun. We all made boo boos and after everyone played their first piece and did the wine thing we all wandered back to the piano and tried other pieces.

Kenny,

I make LOTS of boo boo's, but after some wine, I probably wouldn't even care. And it's probably the only way I could play in front of others.

Mike:

I will supply the wine, but who will drive you home?

Oh, now I understand the reference (in another thread) to a "piano party."

Long-time lurker, new poster. Beth, your home recital is an excellent idea. I am in my 50's, have had maybe 4 years of formal training, and can hardly play for my husband without suffering a little nervousness. We are moving to Watkinsville, just outside of Athens. Anywhere near you? I have been practicing every morning before work for the past nine months, just so I could work up the nerve to play at all the piano stores I've been visiting. I think I would HAVE to have a glass of wine before I could play for anyone new.

Sorry, Barbara. I'm much closer to Atlanta than that, about 20 miles outside the perimeter. But ask around when you get there. If you talk piano, you may well find enough others to start a group in the Athens area. Good luck.


Update for any lurkers out there: The next Adult Student piano get together is coming up soon. If you live in this area, feel free to e-mail me. Love to have you come.

[ February 19, 2002: Message edited by: Beth ]