open stage

twas halloween eve and all though my house ran teeny little kids, even a mouse! (sorry…..it was the best I could come up with!) they ran to the piano and played with glee each 2 songs, very strange indeed not what I taught, but each…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• concert, Halloween, ideas for recitals, music party, open stage, performance, piano parties, piano party, recital, recital ideas, recital space, recital venues

Thought I’d share some of the details of Friday night with you. Months ago I included a questionnaire with my monthly newsletter that asked the parents for ideas about different activities and/or outings that we could try as a studio. One parent suggested a progressive…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• adult cocktail party, cocktail parties, concert, concerts, ideas for recitals, music party, open stage, parties, party, performance, piano parties, piano party, playing duet at recital, recital, recital ideas, recitals

I’d like for students to have some longer pieces for the recital. Any thoughts on doing this? I could have students do some variations/arrangements together into one piece or perhaps have them make up their own variations for arrangements to add. Any thoughts on how…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• arrangements, concert, concerts, creating medleys, ideas for recitals, Laurie Richards, length of songs, long pieces, longer pieces, medley, open stage, performance, recital, recital ideas, recitals, short pieces, variations

I recently had a recital in conjunction with another teacher and it was very successful. It was a noisy afternoon but lots of fun. All students played a piece of their choice. Then we had some accompaniment peices with words for everyone to join in.…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• C&I, chord games, comp & improv, comp and improv, comp/improv, concert, games, improv, improvisation, improvising, musical games, open stage, performance, playing duet at recital, recital

Any suggestions for a new teacher with 22 students, all in Foundation 1, on how to organize a fun recital, where everyone participates with only the 10 foundation pieces + arrangements? My students range from 6 to 18 and two adults that I hope would…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• concert, first recital, FL1, foundation 1, foundation level 1, ideas for recitals, music party, open stage, performance, piano parties, piano party, playing duet at recital, recital, recital ideas

This May or June I’d like to give my students the opportunity to use their accompaniment skills for a sing-a-long at an elder care center. I’m looking for tips to make this a successful experience for everyone, students and audience alike. I’m wondering if it…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• accomp, accompaniment, elder care center, ideas for recitals, music party, nursing home, oncert, open stage, performance, piano parties, piano party, recital, recital ideas, recital space, recital venues, retirement center, singalongs, singing along

I’ve appreciated the recent comments and ideas regarding a SM piano party. I’m wondering if any of you have some ideas specifically for older beginning students. I mentioned my plans for a piano “sharing afternoon” to my oldest student last night, and her smile morphed…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• adult, adult afternoon soirees, adult cocktail party, adult student, adult students, adults, afraid, anxiety, anxious, anxious student, concert, fear, handling mistakes, ideas for recitals, keep going through mistakes, mistakes, music party, nerves, nervous, nervousness, open stage, performance, performance anxiety, piano parties, piano party, playing through mistakes, recital, recital ideas, student anxiety

I had my first recital yesterday. Well, more of a music party than a recital, as I only have 8 students. I wanted to provide an informal arena for them to show off their prowess on the piano without any pressure. They each invited 2…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• concert, games, ideas for recitals, music party, open stage, performance, piano parties, piano party, playing duet at recital, recital, recital ideas

Would anyone like to start a discussion re piano parties? I’m most interested in tools that might help the families of the kids be involved and that sneak in some SM concepts. But if you have any other suggestions for things that were really wonderful–…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• concert, games, ideas for recitals, Laurie Richards, musical games, open stage, performance, piano parties, piano party, playing duet at recital, recital, recital ideas, recital introductions, recital program, recital programs

Today was my second recital. 28 of my 52 students performed a total of 38 songs lasting about an hour. We had approximately 130 people in attendance – an amazing turnout. The program was spotted with duets, a trio–piano and 2 singers, piano for three…

• Last updated 3 years ago
• concert, open stage, performance, playing duet at recital, recital, recital size