Student Concerts/Recitals (All Teachers)

[Eliza Fyfe]

My problem is having to choose students as I can’t fit in all the keen performers, then I feel like I’m taking away the opportunity I promise them from the start. Especially if I’m doing fewer events. I have to choose the “good” or “experienced ” or “ready” students – but how do I tell keen ones that they won’t be doing it this time and explain why? I have to start doing that this week.. Even though fewer events are bigger (double event in March) it’s because of fitting in my secondary teachers’ students, not all of mine!

[Beckie Tunnicliffe]

I’ve luckily never been in that position where I have had to pick who can do the shows, if I did though I would maybe get the more inexperienced ones to do a smaller setup, like an open mic, to build up the confidence and technique. That way they could also get to know each other and it seems more personal to them:)

[Eliza Fyfe]

That’s the plan!:) thanks for your input

[Sarah Clayton]

I work with a community organisation called Music Workshop. It provides instrument lessons in Bath to schools and private tuition from it’s own studio. We combine out students to form bands supported by at least 2 professional musicians to keep things tight and give our students a great live band experience.

Last year we held a “Born Of The Blues” themed concert and had a local caterer provide a meal. We had 250 students involved over 3 performances – 2 evening and a matinée. This was a serious upscale of the singer only events which can feel a bit like a karaoke night. This was a ticketed event, we charged £10 each including the meal. Ran our own bar and roped in friends and family to wait the tables.

We ran a live performance rehearsal day which was a great way of students getting to meet other musicians (we even had a few bands form from it) and valuable experience for our teenagers looking to go to college or university to study music who has little performance experience.

[Dave Rutherford]

Hey

I have ran lots of these. Some at a big win and some at a big loss.

Things to consider:

Space – where and how much
Tickets – how much, advance works better as its more guareteed.

I use my band to back the students, and some singing students from schools I work in.

You can offer to film and put it on DVD and sell that – makes more money for you.

I just make sure they are rehearsed and have notice – 2/3 months that it’s going to happen. Xmas time is great, early Dec, also a few weeks before kis break up, or end of Sept term.

I would put other acts on after so the students see ‘how its done’, parents and students also feel part of a real gig.

Dave