Tonight is my piano students' spring recital. I've been having student recitals for going on two decades and I swear I've never been as nervous as I am about tonight, even though tonight's should be for me hundreds of percents easier than any recital I've ever had. The reason tonight should be easier is that I've changed both my recital venue and modus operandi. For years our piano recitals, held three times a year, have taken place in a large church auditorium, Subsequently my students, rather than dreading their piano recitals as frightening ordeals, have always looked forward to these social evenings, wanting to talk as the recital approached about the food, asking me whether an up-coming recital was the pizza or sub recital, wanting to know what sides and desserts there'd be, telling me about what yummy dish they were planning on bringing. Once a young student asked me about the theme of an approaching recital. Impressed by his intellectual precosity, I explained to him that what he 'e be playing was called classical music, and that the other pieces would be a mix of classical and modern music, with the younger students playing folk songs and beginner songs. Turned out he just wanted to know what we'd be eating afterwards. The food was a good thing. It took the kids minds off their performance nerves. But of course, the recitals, fun as they always were, were also a ton of work. There were chairs to be set up and taken down afterwards, the piano, too had to be moved before and after, ...there were pizzas and subs to be ordered and followed up on, food to be bought, prepared and set up, all the necessities to be hauled to and fro, Was there ever a another piano teacher in history who threw such lavish, affairs as moi? Eh, maybe. But I didn't know any. And though, I truth, I threw these labor intensive shindigs because, well, I liked to, I often wondered why other teachers I knew always got so stressed-out over their student recitals when all they had to worry about was their students' performances. Though I hardly knew from experience, I was convinced that putting together a student recital that didn't involve simultaneously putting together a gargantuan spread afterwards had to be a worry-free breeze, or at least it would be for me. Or so I thought. Last year it came to pass that I knew the time had come to seek out another location for our recitals, so I turned to the venue most used by Columbus piano teachers for students' performances, the recital hall at the Graves Piano and Organ store, ...but which offers no space for any kind of reception afterwards. However to my pleasant surprise my students' initial disappointment over the demise of their post-recital parties turned to excitement when they arrived for their dress rehearsal, took in the beautiful surroundings and tried out the Steinway, a touch-friendly instrument which they all loved playing, So the rehearsal went well, my students seem to be looking forward to performing in their new place and have been practicing in preparation, Everyone seems ready and everything seems in place. I have nothing to do between now and tonight. And I'm a bundle of fluttery nerves. Maybe two or three bundles, even. But why? In fact, it's not even as if I've never before had students perform at Graves. Back in 1999 I had a student recital there, except that it wasn't really my show. This time, however, I'm in charge, which somehow makes it feel all different.
But I think I figured it out when it hit me that there is now a big empty space in my brain that used to be filled to capacity on recital day with thoughts about tables, chairs, lighting, pizzas, soda, cup cakes, veggies and dip, cups, plates, eating utensils, serving utensils, and other logistical details too numerous to mention. I think that, nature abhorring a vacuum, a passel of stress and free-floating anxiety has moved into my brain to fill up the space that used to be filled with a big to-do list. I was too busy to worry much. Now I've got all day.
6 Comments
Claire
3/10/2016 08:07:27 pm
I remember how exciting it was to play at Graves and see all the interesting pianos in the show rooms. I bet your students still love it too!
Reply
Patti
3/11/2016 05:45:13 am
Yes, it did bring back memories of when you guys used to perform there - and Tommy still! And the kids for the most part really liked the place - kind of like a piano wonderland!
Reply
Ann Osborn
3/11/2016 09:01:00 am
Just reading this the day after your big day! I hope the recital went well for all!!! Think you'll stick with this recital style? I imagine it was much simpler this way. So glad to see Graves is still in the area. I'm guessing many go for electric pianos over the older model/styles these days.
Reply
Patti
3/12/2016 02:26:21 pm
Thanks, Anne, it actually went pretty well! Yes, Graves is still there, still a "piano wonderland"! Now I can't quite remember, but our kids did have recitals there with Bin didn't they?
Reply
Ann Osborn
3/12/2016 03:45:40 pm
Patti,
Patti
3/12/2016 07:28:28 pm
Yes, I remember that time Bin's cellists - including Megan, right? - came to one of my recitals. And yes, that was back in the day of the post-recital feasts! Another time or two Sarah brought one of her students to one of my recitals because she wanted to give them the chance to perform. I have another piano-teacher friend who has occasionally brought a student or two to play at my recitals. I think everybody just wanted to come for the food! ;)
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
"Tropical Depression"
by Patti Liszkay Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTPN7NYY "Equal And Opposite Reactions"
by Patti Liszkay Buy it on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa or from The Book Loft of German Village, Columbus, Ohio Or check it out at the Columbus Metropolitan Library
Archives
February 2025
I am a traveler just visiting this planet and reporting various and sundry observations,
hopefully of interest to my fellow travelers. Categories |