tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post1616679815409267389..comments2016-05-28T09:33:51.341-05:00Comments on Collaborations: The Importance of ConcertsKennith Freemanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10642219228123659175noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818932791380417975.post-70711733929625060842010-08-22T21:01:38.473-05:002010-08-22T21:01:38.473-05:00Hi Kennith!
First of all, my sympathies about the...Hi Kennith!<br /><br />First of all, my sympathies about the end of vacation. I always feel the same, in addition to having a reaction to the average age of the town's population plummeting dramatically.<br /><br />I'm quite sure your student recitals will be a lot more fun than the ones your teacher presented.<br /><br />If you introduce each child to the audience, everyone relaxes a little. Also, if you mention something the child likes to do besides play the piano, they'll feel less like they've been dragged to the recital.<br /><br />Oh, and ask the parents to bring refreshments!<br /><br />One time, I had reserved a space, printed programs, etc. But my students weren't ready! So I decided to keep the space, and instigated a "conspiracy" with my students. I told them that their parents couldn't come.<br /><br />The LOVED it! The recital turned into a class. All I had to do was sit back and listen. After each piece, I would ask the kids who were listening specific questions. Do you think the tempo marking is fast or slow? Was Bobby playing soft or loud? Was the melody connected, or did you hear bouncy notes?<br /><br />The second a kid hears another kid say something, you wouldn't <i>believe</i> how fast everything improves. Kids would sometimes think they couldn't do what I was asking them because I'm older and have had more lessons.<br /><br />Good luck with everything!<br /><br /><i>Gretchen</i>Gretchen Saathoffhttp://gretchenspianos.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com