One of my strengths as a teacher is getting the kids ready to perform. By this I mean, after they have learned the pieces/songs (of course!) then we practice performing. My group classes are performing in two weeks and since Thanksgiving is in between, today I was in definite quasi-dress rehearsal mode! We practiced walking “onstage” (we are still in the classroom), we practiced bowing, we practiced being quiet, we practiced waiting to play until the piano introduction had finished, and we definitely practiced our pieces over and over again. Afterwards, we practiced bowing and leaving the “stage.” I love doing this, I love getting the kids ready to perform. They seem to enjoy it too, as it makes the hard work throughout the year worthwhile (not that students should only be working towards a performance, but that’s another subject entirely). I talk about how they should be excited to show off their hard work to their friends and families, and how to act afterward.
Is there anything other teachers do to prepare their music students? Any thoughts? I have two more classes before we perform so more ideas are always welcome!
I don’t have quite enough time to get to the gym and back today, so I’m going to try a new workout video I’ve been hearing about. Jillian’s 30 day shred! I don’t watch the Biggest Loser, but I know she is the trainer from that show. We’ll see how the video compares to a workout with Mike!
hey, you don’t know me, but I stumbled upon your website/blog and am really glad to have found another violinist “blogger”! looks like you’re doing all the right things with your students preparing them for their performances. I don’t teach group classes, but I do similar prep with my private students a month or so before their recital; I tell the ones who get extremely nervous (no matter how prepared they are) to just remember what they love about the violin and how great it is that they’re sharing that with the audience.
Good luck!
That’s a good idea–I hate to mention “nervous” to the kids in case talking about it makes them nervous when they wouldn’t have before (if that makes sense?) but I know a couple will be. Thanks for reading!
We do “mini-recitals” in group class at random times throughout the semester–kids can get up and play something of their choice, complete with bowing and applauding. Everybody gets a chance to work on their audience skills, and I think playing in front of people regularly takes the edge off a little bit when it comes to recital time. I keep it low-key: nobody has to play who doesn’t want to, they choose what they’re going to perform, and I don’t try to do any correcting or teaching during these sessions.