Spring is here and with that means recital and concert season is too! Whether your child is a seasoned performer or is about to get on stage for the first time, these tips will help you feel prepared, know what to expect, and have a great experience!
1. Play for people!
This one is obvious, but incredibly helpful, particularly if this is your child’s first recital and they are not used to playing in front of anyone. Neighbors, friends, family members, classmates, or even pets make great audience members!
2. Create a warm-up ritual!
Long tones, a scale, small pieces of a song, stretching, or even some silly faces are all great ways to warm up before playing! Make sure you have enough time to get ready and sound check your notes before the performance! If you do the same warm-up routine consistently, it even helps to eliminate nerves!
3. Have a plan for mistakes
I always tell my students, mistakes are not a problem. They might happen, they might not. It’s out of your control. What is in your control is how you handle the mistakes. There are serval options so having a plan is the best way to prepare. Option #1 is to be an actor, pretend like it never even happened, and just keep on going. Option #2 is for when you get a little stuck and need to back up a bit. It’s a good idea to flag a couple of good starting spots in the song just incase you need to restart a section.
4. Have a plan for nerves
It is completely normal to feel a bit nervous before performing and most people experience some form of minor performance anxiety at some point in their life. This might include sweaty hands, racing pulse, rapid breathing, dry mouth, or shaky hands. You can prepare for these symptoms in advance by practicing some deep breathing techniques, drinking plenty of water, and even practicing your song after doing some jumping jacks! This allows you to experience what it feels like to play the flute while your heart rate is up and your breathing is heavy!
5. Pretend play/ dress rehearsal
For young children, it is helpful to do a little pretend recital so they know exactly what to expect on recital day. You could set up some stuffed animals and have them all take turns going up to play a song. As long as you prepare in advance and keep the atmosphere lighthearted and fun, your child is sure to enjoy it!
For older children, a dress rehearsal is about running the song/ songs entirely how they will be played in the performance. If you will do it with repeats, then make sure to practice it that way. You might even want to practice in your concert outfit with shoes and everything!
6. Find purpose
And perhaps most importantly, make sure that your child understands the purpose of recitals. Perhaps we all have a slightly different purpose, but recitals in my mind are a chance to gather as a community and celebrate all that we have learned! It is not a test or a competition, but rather an opportunity to hear some beautiful music and support each other in a fun and creative setting.
