Important Notes for Students and Parents

Here are some important points to consider in preparation for our recital:

1. The recital will be held at Perimeter Church's Day Chapel, a wonderful venue with a Steinway Model B Grand Piano!
2. Please arrive early. All students should arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to recital start time, so that we can make sure you are here, and so that you have time to get comfortable, relaxed and ready to play before the recital begins. 
3. Please dress nicely and appropriately. To give you an idea of what is "nice" and "appropriate", girls and ladies should wear dresses, skirts with blouses, or dress pants with blouses. Boys and men should wear dress pants with a nice shirt, sweater, or jacket. Ties are optional. If you'd like to wear jeans, that's ok as long as they are the nice dressy kind, without holes in them. Of course, I don't want anyone to feel obligated to spend money for new clothes. The overriding principle should be to simply do the best you can with what you already have on hand, and remember that proper attire shows respect to your audience, as well as to yourself, and what you have accomplished. Also, it's important to pay particular attention to your hands. Clean hands and well groomed nails are important, because your audience will likely be watching your hands during your performance. And please, no extravagant nail polish, or other distracting items like bangle bracelets.
4. Please make sure all your invited guests understand the importance of arriving on time. If they arrive late, it makes it difficult for those performing.
5. During a performance, there should be no talking or other disturbances. This includes things like gum chewing, giggling, and whispering. Please handle the recital programs quietly. Listen respectfully to each performer. And though it might sound silly, be sure you use the bathroom before the performance, to avoid hurried trips during the recital. And of course, please make sure all cell phones have been turned off, or have been placed in silent mode.
6. Follow the recital program, so that you will know when it is your turn to perform. Once I have announced you, rise quickly and walk up to the stage. Adjust the bench, pause and collect your thoughts, and begin when you are ready. After your performance, face the audience and acknowledge the applause with a smile and a bow as we have practiced during our lesson time.
7. Please plan to stay for the entire recital, in order to listen to everyone?s performance. To do otherwise is considered rude and is not proper recital etiquette.
8. Please invite as many friends and family members as you'd like. Our recital hall has lots of room, and can accomodate likely as many as you'd like to invite. And if not, then a standing room only crowd would be a fantastic crowd to have, and a wonderful problem to deal with!
9. If you'd like to videotape the performance, please do so from the rear of the recital hall, behind the audience, so as to not distract those trying to watch and enjoy the performance.
10. Please refrain from taking pictures during the performance. You will have the opportunity to take a picture of your student at the piano, after the recital has concluded, if you would like. Pictures taken during a recital are very distracting to both the performers and the audience. The click or beep of a camera shutter, or the flash of a light, can have a devasating impact, so please be considerate.
11. But most of all, enjoy yourself, and have a good time creating and listening to music!