Upcoming Recital Details

Time and Location

The Spring Recital will be at 3:00pm, on Sunday May 19, at Pfafftown Baptist Church; 4336 Transou Rd, Pfafftown, NC.  If participating, you should arrive 15 minutes early.  If you wish to arrive earlier, doors will open about 2:15.

Performer Traditions and Etiquette

Everybody performing in the Spring Recital this year is playing a solo and, according to the rules of tradition, should play from memory.  Music will be permitted to review while at your seat, but please leave it behind when you walk up to play.  Take your time in walking to and from the piano.  Don't rush.  Remember to bow before AND after you play.  If you play two pieces, you should not bow in between pieces.  Don't forget to adjust the bench.  Don't settle for your one-time performance if you know it is too close or far from the piano to do your best.  Performers, be sure to go to the restroom before the recital begins.  Students have missed their turn in the past for underestimating how soon their turn would arrive while making a "quick trip".  Family members should sit in pews in a way that does not make it difficult for the student to get out of the seat and up to the piano.

Audience Etiquette

The recital is a maximum of 40 minutes, probably less.  The primary rule I would ask is that you arrive on time and stay through the end if at all possible.  It is appropriate to applaud each performer as he or she walks up to the piano, and after they have played all their selections.  It is not appropriate to clap after each selection when a student has more than one piece.  Please allow silence after the first of multiple pieces.  Avoid flash photography while a piece is being played.  This can distract students who are already nervous.  Video taping is permitted provided it doesn't obstruct anyone's view.  If you share videos afterward on YouTube or another public forum, please be mindful of copyright laws.  Only a few of the pieces being played are public domain.  A good solution is to only post things privately where a link is required to view the video.

NEW - Seating Requirement

As the sanctuary will seat about triple what I'm expecting for the recital, I want to address an issue that has been a problem for me in past performances as a teacher, and that is sitting so close to the piano that the student doesn't even have to walk up to perform; They just stand up and they're already at the piano.  "The walk" is as much apart of the recital experience as everything else.  So I am more specific this year about where I want students to sit.  Though I'm very close to going to a "all students sit together" policy, I want to try to keep students with families during these events.

This photo is from a Christmas service at the church several years ago, but will give you an idea of the sanctuary's layout when viewing the piano.  The piano is on the left.  The FIRST TWO PEWS on that side are off-limits to students.  Family members, especially ones with hand-held video cameras are permitted to sit there, but Do not sit there if you are performing.  In addition, please note this center aisle in the middle of the photo.  It represents two of four ways to leave your seat and go to the piano.  Another way is to sit on the right pews and exit the far right side (off the picture).  This is okay.  Another option is to sit on the far left and walk up the aisle closest the left windows (also off the picture).  This is NOT okay.  I will angle the piano in such a way that the audience on the right can still get a good view, but I appreciate everyone following these guidelines this year.  There are plenty of seats, and again this limitation is only for the students.  Family members can sit anywhere.