My music teacher has asked me to perform in the bi-annual music recital to play Handel's Bouree. I've only been playing for 7 months so I'm flattered that I was even asked but I'm also a bit nervous. I would likely be the only adult in the group. May be an inspiration to all those other adults that always wanted to play but were too embarrassed to start.

I was in my first recital (since my teenage years) last December and I was old enough to be everyone's grandmother!! However, I was touched by all the parents who came up to me afterwards to comment on how "brave" I was and how they wished they'd continued lessons, or how they'd like to start lessons again, etc. I never expected that response. It was worth it !! You CAN be an inspiration. You never know how you might affect just one other person.

I think it would be a good experience for you, middle C. So what if you're the only adult? I agree with you that you could be an inspiration to other adults in the audience who have quietly wished they could play.

Do you know the Bouree already or would you need to learn it for the recital?

I've been playing 15 months now and have done 3 recitals, the first one after only 5 weeks of playing. My teacher's students range from about 5 y.o. to a (very)few of us middle agers. Some of the adults are begginers, some long time and some intermediate. It is a very accepting venue I think generally. Everyone realizes that recitals are part of the learning process and nobody is expected to be a super star or not to make mistakes. Our teacher plays as well so that we are guaranteed to hear high level playing. I'm starting to feel more comfortable and almost enjoy the experience!

I just finished with my first recital (about two hours ago). I was also the only adult. I played the Polevetsian Dances by Borodin (theme from Stranger in Paradise). I didn't play as well as I would have liked, but I'm telling myself that the experience was more important than the performance. These kids sometimes act like its no big deal, and it was a bit of a struggle for me, even though I've given many formal presentations as part of my professional life.

At any rate - it's done. It was a good experience, and I would recommend it to anyone. Now, I can move on in my piano learning.

Best of luck.

Stan

I was in my first recital on December 9, after struggling with panic attacks and performance anxiety all my life. I was also the only adult performing (age 52). I played piano as a child and young adult, but could never participate in a recital. Actually, the first recital was last June, and it was a fiasco! I threw up before and after and don't remember a thing. But I spent 6 months with therapy, panic attack workbooks, and finally the occasional beta blocker. Tomorrow I'm doing an entire hour of concert at a theatre in a local high school!

No way I could do a recital. Congrats to all of you...

It is frustrating to be in a recital when you are the only adult performing. Especially if there's an ueber six year old there to show you up.

Even if you are the best performer, you feel a little guilty "competing" with all those young'ns, like when Kramer joined a karate class full of kids.

You know, it's good to hear none of us are alone in our feelings about this "only adult" thing. I didn't start this to play in recitals. I started to play piano as an adult for me[/b]. I never liked recitals, and never liked making mistakes in front of others. Maybe we make our own anxiety. I still make mistakes typing when someone stands over me, yet am pretty much error free when the distraction isn't there. It's a mind over matter thing that we haven't mastered yet.

I was the only adult performer at a recitial that was held about a month ago. There were kids that had to be less than 10 years old that were playing with much better quality than I can currently produce.

I was of course very nervous, but I've done a few recitials before, and there were actually a few points during my performance where I was able to calm myself down and not worry about screwing up. I still have a long ways to go, but I'm getting better every time I perform. So don't worry if you screw your first time, it will only get better.

Wow!! I didn't expect such a huge response. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one that feels this way. By the way Monica, Yes, I already know Bouree. It took me a few weeks to learn but I can now pretty much play it without even needing the sheet music which is good because I often mess up when attemping to read the music and play at the same time. Perhalps I should reconsider this. It's not a a couple of months and that would give me plenty of time to perfect it.

Thanks everyone, that was a huge help.