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How to Organize a Solo Graduation Recital

  1. 6 months before: Check with Sensei to make sure you’re eligible for graduation.
  2. Choose a date and time at least 6 months from now. Consider skipping February (to avoid weather conflicts) and October/April due to our group graduation concerts. Many venues are full December and May- book VERY early if you want those months. Best months to book: September (unless you vacation in August), November, March, June.
  3. Book a venue with an ACOUSTIC PIANO. A private home of a family member or friend with an acoustic piano is suitable. If you belong to a church, this might be a good venue option.
    • Book your venue as soon as possible. Some venues book a year in advance!
    • Plan for at least 60 minutes. Remember to include time to set up and clean up in your venue reservation.
    • Work with the venue to find a suitable date and time. If the date you would like is not available always book for further out into the future!
    • Ask about fees to use the facility.
    • Will you be able to serve refreshments at this venue of you plan to do so? What are the fees for additional time or locations?
    • Ask how regular the piano is tuned.
    • If the piano needs to be tuned, inquire about cost of tuning. Piano needs to be tuned as close to your dress rehearsal/recital date as possible.
    • I’d be happy to recommend a piano tuning service. The venue likely has a preferred company.
  4. Book an accompanist as soon as you have a set concert date.
    • Make sure they are available for your recital date & time. You may want to consult with them before booking the venue to explore dates they might be available.
    • Provide the accompanist with the piano accompaniment sheet music complete with tempo, dynamic markings and reference recordings at the time you book them.
    • If you need recommendations let me know. Your pianist should be someone with at least an intermediate level of playing. Intermediate and advanced students will need advanced pianists. They should also be reliable to prepare their part, attend all rehearsals and the the recital.
  5. Book a rehearsal with Sensei, yourself and the pianist.
    • Rehearsal should be booked no less than one month prior to the recital date.
    • Rehearsal will take place at the studio. You may use your regular lesson time provided your accompanist is available.
    • You will need to pay your accompanist when you book the rehearsal or at the beginning of the rehearsal. This depends on their preference.
    • If your accompanist is not available during your lesson,we will need to arrange another time during my regular teaching schedule. There is an additional lesson fee of $25-$60 depending on the rehearsal length.
  6. Book a dress rehearsal date
    • The date should be in the same week or the day before the recital and ideally in the performance venue so your accompanist can familiarize themself with the piano.
    • Pay your accompanist for this rehearsal.
  7. Create a program
    • You will need to play all the pieces from your level to graduate. Decide how you will choose the order of pieces. Front to back of the book? Back to front? Randomly from a hat?
    • Will you have an intermission? Will you need a short break?
    • Will you create a paper program to hand out or will you announce each piece before tou play it? Paper programs should include that it’s a graduation recital, your name, the date, time, location. The pianists name. The pieces you’re playing, in the order you play them. A little biographical information about yourself and possibly an interesting fact or two about one of the pieces or composers on the program.
    • Will you serve refreshments? If so, what will they be? What will you need to serve them? Plates, spoons, cups, etc. Make a list of all the food you’ll need to buy.
    • Will there be a theme or will you decorate? Will you have flowers? Make a list of anything else you will need.
  8. Invite your guests
    • You can invite others as soon as you have officially booked your venue and accompanist.
    • Send invitations or make an event on social media early to endure an audience.
  9. Dedicate practice time to your recital pieces and attend all rehearsals.
    • Pieces need to be well polished and memorized for this recital. We will dedicate lesson time to prepare.
  10. Choose what you will wear and make sure it fits comfortably.
    • It’s a good idea to practice in your outfit to make sure it’s flexible enough that you can move. It’s also important that noting on your outfit, like a button, will cause any rattling or noise.
  11. Day of the recital
    • Gather everything you need an head to the venue early. Give you’re self enough time to set up, tune, warm up with out rushing.
    • Following the recital be sure to thank everyone for attending.

Twinkle Bow Directions

WARNING! These guides are meant only for adult practice partners to oversee good habit formation. Children should not read from these guides if you want them to grow in learning by ear. We will learn all songs by ear and the songs increase in complexity. If your child doesn’t become accustomed to this with easier pieces; you will set them up for failure. Easier is not always right or best long term. Think big and for longer term success!