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Emma M., Australia

I have only been teaching since August and in December I arranged a small concert at the local retirement village.
I only had 5 students play a song or 2 each and at the end I played with a friend who I ‘jam’ with (he plays guitar)
The whole thing only took about a half hour. The students loved the applause and their parents were so proud as I was too. Not to mention the audience. It was a Saturday and not much happens at the reitrement homes on the weekends as the staff presume that family members will occupy their time but sadly this doesnt occur as often as they would like so it was a great way till a half hour of thier day and they went off to their morning tea with a big smile on their faces. I say go for it, it wasn’t hard to organise and everyone got enjoyment out of it. All the best,

Sue K, Australia

I am in a similar boat, although have been going a little longer. It did not seem worthwhile for a small number, also at a low level without more advanced students to show them what is around the corner.

Can you join with another teacher? What about your vocal students (or did you mean they talk a lot?) can you do a combined concert?

Elaine F., South Carolina

Turn down the head and don’t stress about this– maybe call it piano party instead? or Works in progress?? I t can be seen as marketing too– since people will likely bring friends or family.

Don’t worry about it being someone’s idea of perfection— my goal is always to share the fun.

Mary R., Michigan

Always great to give kids a chance to perform. Small studio can yield a lovely intimate gathering at your home or you might consider holding it at a senior center—usually have nice pianos and performance spaces and the residents can augment your audience. Combining voice and piano students would make for an interesting program for all. I say GO FOR IT!

Carina C., Pennsylvania

I say go for it! I just had a “piano party” for my 9 students, all of whom have taken lessons for eight months or less. Students performed first (about 25-30 minutes) and then we had refreshments. It was short and sweet. We were in and out in an hour and it was a huge success. Parents have been raving about it! This can be a great marketing tool!

Amber B., Michigan

My first performance was at an assisted living home. It was an unknown since I had only opened for business less than 6 weeks before the date. This first time was a big deal but it became more important when I went back for a second run 18 months later. Almost all my students were different and I had so many students I could only invite the ones who normally had lessons on that particular day. Sometime an experience is needed because down the road there will be a reflection to help us grow.

Emilie B., Connecticut

Just a thought about performances at an assisted living home. I think it’s a wonderful idea, but, before you commit…

I went to one, the building was beautiful, just a couple of years old, new and gorgeous, personnel were fabulous, grounds well cared for, performance area very nice. The only problem was, someone had donated an older electronic piano to the home, but had evidently never taken care of it or cleaned it. It was that kind of dirty that comes from dust accumulated over many years’ worth of time, like a grimy layer covering everything, that you don’t even want to touch. I’m sure the person donating it had good intentions, but it would have better if they’d had it cleaned first.

So I’d just suggest that you be sure to actually see the piano that you/students will be playing on before making a commitment. (And I’m hopeful that this was the only dirty piano in existence!)