Recital is Vital!
About a week and a half ago, I hosted our annual Christmas recital. I decided to call it the "A Little After Christmas Music Recital." Yep, holiday recital was on January 27th...an entire month and two days after Christmas. Thanks to a bout with bronchitis on my part, it had to be postponed from its original date, December 16th. I decided to do it in true "Deck the Halls" style, complete with holiday-themed music being played before, during, and after the recital, as well as a Christmas tree on top of the piano! Why should I have a Christmas recital at the tail-end of January? Well, we don't want to let all those good Yuletide songs go to waste, now do we?
Students and parents alike had a great time! The students took pictures on the red carpet before entering, and parents proudly took pictures and video recordings of their kiddos singing and playing piano. It was a "fa-la-la-la-la" festive time indeed, even if we were staring February right in the face!
I had one student, Bianca, to absolutely REFUSE to participate in the recital, no matter how much I begged, suggested, prodded, and whatever other tactics I tried in order to get her to agree to do the recital. I even tried the "guilt" method, and a little bit of hocus-pocus, subliminal suggestion...all to no avail. Finally, her dad made the magic happen - a promise to go to Sky Zone if she agrees to play in recital. That did the trick! (Aren't dads awesome?)
When Bianca came for her lesson the day after recital, I asked her how she felt after having performed. With a big smile, she said, "I feel good! I'm glad I decided to do it! I just might do it again!" "That's awesome!" I said. Bianca swiftly reiterated, "I said I might...it's not for sure yet!" "I'll take a consideration over a flat-out 'no,' any day," I said. We joyfully continued our lesson. Hopefully she'll ALWAYS decide to perform in recital.
Just in case your child is on the fence about making the big dash toward the recital stage, here are some points to consider regarding the benefits of performing, as you work to convince him or her to participate:
1. The student gets a chance to share what they have learned.
You've spent weeks, maybe even months learning songs to sing or play. While you may enjoy singing or playing for yourself, there's a certain boost when you get to do it for others.
2. The student gets to choose the audience...well at least to a degree.
Nothing is worse than performing before a crowd of haters! However,for recital, you can invite people you love, and people who love YOU! They're rooting for your success, and they believe in you! Not only are your loved ones there, but the other participants' loved ones are there as well. Guess what? They're rooting for your success too! Positive vibes abound!
3. It builds confidence.
Before participating in your first recital, you may not know what to expect - from yourself OR from the audience. Nervous jitters may seem uncontrollable. But once it's over, it's OVER...and you're so glad you did it! Performing builds confidence in yourself to do it again and again. All the while, you're getting better and better at your craft.
4. Bragging rights.
Your confidence is built up, and now you can show all your friends and family what you did! Yep, I know how to play the piano. Yes, I can sing! Wanna come hear me next time? Students and parents alike beam with pride, knowing that their little one is budding into a great singer or musician.
These are just a few of the benefits of performing in recitals. For more information how your child can take lessons and perform in recitals, call 678-667-4643 or visit www.decaturmusicacademy.com TODAY!
