Recitals: Are They Really Necessary?

Last night I had my “end of the year” piano recital for my studio. These wonderful children and their families dropped their regularly scheduled events, post phoned homework, ate dinner in record time, and made time to add the piano recital. In fact, one family went a step farther; one daughter had a social studies review class at the same time her sister had a lacrosse game and as soon as they both finished, they ate a sandwich in the car and came to the recital, a little late, but came and performed. I couldn’t imagine doing this with a brain fried from social studies or being exhausted, sweaty, dirty and bloody from a lacrosse game! (the younger sister actually had blood running down her leg.)

This is my piano studio, whom I love and admire. They are devoted and enjoy being together. We decided to go a little less formal this year and had the recital in a member’s home rather than in a concert room or church. In a goal to conserve finances, I was very glad to have made the change. I have discovered that the performance is really only one aspect of these recitals. The other important part of the equation is the socializing that goes on before and after. Although the performance lasted about 40 minutes, the event lasted 2 hours.

The adults shared conversation, tasty appetizers, and wine. The students shared the same with a non-alcoholic variety. The flow of conversation was spirited including many topics. I heard one young boy ask an 8th grade boy if he planned to go on to college for music. A mother of a middle school boy told me the monthly recitals inspired her daughter, who plays flute, to play for grandparents. Kids and adults commented on certain students’ performances and certain pieces.

Because we meet every month there were also comments about the progress students had made. One parent shared with me how she looks forward to certain students’ performances each month. Another parent commented on how sad she was that one family couldn’t make it. Friendships have formed within our parents as well as students. After a bit of food and conversation, some kids made their way to the kitchen to play a game while others relaxed chatting together.

Are recitals necessary? As a kid I absolutely hated them. We only had one each year so it felt like a lot was riding on it. Also, it was the only time I was ever asked to play from memory. Gathering once a year, the group really didn’t know each other and the parents didn’t have allegiance to anyone expect their own child.

By doing studio recitals monthly the adults take interest in all the children. The children become familiar with the setting and with performance expectations. And we all look forward to the socializing!  I am always living by the motto that piano lessons are “more than music”.  Of course, the other night at the performance the kids played beautifully sharing their talents.  And they learned discipline, concentration, memorization skills, accomplishing a long term goal, and many other non-musical goals.  But when the element of fun is added to the mix, isn’t it better?  Parents and kids had a great time sharing laughter, music, food, compliments, themselves.  Who could ask for anything more?  To answer the question, yes. Recitals are necessary.