Vivace Student Recital Series | 2019-20 Season - VIII

Recital Etiquette and a Parent’s Guide

Students recital can be tremendously fun and valuable experiences for young musicians. Unfortunately, they can also be a source of some stress and anxiety if preparations aren’t complete and certain practices aren’t followed. There are guidelines and rules of behavior all performers and audience members should follow during all recitals or concerts.

Audience members must remember the purpose of their visit to the recital hall – to listen quietly, actively and appreciatively to the music being offered by the performers.

Performers

• Performers should wear appropriate attire. Girls in knee-length or longer dresses or slacks, boys in dress pants and buttoned dress shirts with ties preferred, or suits. No spaghetti straps, no platform shoes, flip-flops, or athletic footwear. Please do not wear dangling, jingling jewelry.

• Of course, no one should 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.

• Remember to practice in your outfit, shoes included.

• Once it is your turn, rise quickly and walk up to the stage. Adjust the bench or music stand, pause and collect your thoughts, and begin when you are ready.

• Performers must bow at the beginning and at the end of the performance. Instructor and Student will practice bowing properly.

• Arrive at the requested time in order to learn where you are to sit and receive instructions for the performance.

• Once the recital begins, please listen and be quiet.

• Respect the other performers. Unnecessary noise from whispering, talking, candy wrappers, etc. during a program is not acceptable. Reading, studying, playing video games, and writing letters during a program are also inappropriate.

Audience

• Recitals are a special occasion and so it is customary to dress nicely.

• Please arrive 20 minutes earlier in order to find a comfortable place to sit.

• Audience minimum age for the recital is 6 years old (except the students).

• Turn off all cell phones and any electrical devices that may produce sound.

• Once the recital begins, please listen and be quiet. The parents shall let the students read this Recital Etiquette in advance, and stay with the kids in the recital. Crying/ talking or wandering kids should be taken out immediately.

• If you arrive late, please wait to enter between pieces when you hear applause.

• Do not enter the recital hall or switch seats while someone is performing.

• The soloist will bow and your response is to applaud politely!

• No whistling, yelling, or other loud methods of congratulations, especially prior to the performance please. If a performer is focused and ready to play, but becomes distracted with the “cat-calling” and “whooping” it can really throw off his or her performance. While boisterous congratulations are meant to show support for the performer, it may actually cause unintended problems instead. The best way to show appreciation for the performance is with thunderous applause, and an occasional “bravo” at the end of an especially great performance.

• Respect the performers. Unnecessary noise from whispering, talking, candy wrappers, etc. during a program is NOT acceptable. Reading, studying, and writing letters during a program are also inappropriate.

• Please stay until the performance or event is completely over. Attending a recital so that other families will serve as audience to your student, and then leaving before the other performers have finished is rude, inconsiderate and unacceptable. If you have other obligations or matters to attend to before the recital is over, please do not attend.

• Flash photography is not appropriate during a performance. You may videotape and/or take flash photography as the performer is approaching or leaving the piano.

• All foods, chewing gum or beverages are forbidden in the music hall and waiting area. If cough drops are necessary, remove them before playing;

Enjoy! Your presence is the greatest affirmation!

Sincerely,

Tong, Yan | Principal & Founder

Vivace International School of Music