Guidelines for Performers:
- Dress your best. If possible, wear your recital outfit while you are practicing at home a day or two before the recital, to make sure you can play comfortably.
- Arrive 15 minutes early. Find a good place for you and your guests to sit.
- Listen politely to any people who play before you. When the person before you takes a bow, stand up and start walking toward the piano.
- Take a minute to make sure the piano bench is in the right place and your fingers are where they should be before you start playing your piece.
- If you are playing more than one movement or piece, pause in between and take a deep breath. Think about how the next part sounds before you begin to play again.
- Smile and bow after you finish playing your piece. This is how you thank the audience for listening politely and clapping for you. After you bow, quietly return to your seat and listen to the rest of the recital.
- If somebody tells you, “Good job!” after you play, smile and say, “Thank you!” whether you think you had a good performance or not.
Guidelines for Audience Members:
- Turn off all electronic devices BEFORE the recital begins.
- Arrive early and find a seat before the music starts.
- Do not talk, crinkle your program, or do anything else that might distract the people around you or the performer.
- Clap after each performer finishes his or her piece. If you are not sure if the piece is over, wait until somebody else starts to clap.
- If a person is playing more than one movement of a piece or more than one piece, wait until the very end of his or her performance to applaud. Do not clap between movements. Your program will tell you what to expect.
- If you have to leave the room, please do so during the applause between performers. In an emergency, leave as quickly and quietly as possible.
- Unless you have a very good reason, do not leave before the end of the recital. Leaving early is considered to be very rude. Besides, there are often refreshments to be enjoyed afterward.
- If you bring a camera, do not take pictures while people are playing. There will be plenty of time for pictures after the recital.
- If you enjoyed someone’s performance, take a moment after the recital to give him or her a sincere compliment.