Everyone sounds so prepared for the recital! I want everyone to practice the recital routine at home, preferably in front of a crowd (it can be your parents, siblings, friends, whatever!). You walk to the piano, you face your audience and bow, then you play your pieces. After, you bow again, then walk off “stage”. Practice that a few times between now and Sunday, and then at the recital, you will be in familiar territory. And always remember, if you make a mistake, keep going and pretend it never happened!

Anastasiya

Your two pieces sound great – I always love seeing your enthusiasm for these recitals! Remember to pick a tempo that is neither too fast, nor too slow – and don’t speed up/slow down after you choose your tempo. In “Paper Airplanes”, you can keep practicing by counting and playing at the same time – this will help you make sure that your rhythm is absolutely correct. “The Juggler” also sounds great – don’t forget the difference between mezzo forte and mezzo piano – mezzo forte is medium loud, so not quite as loud as forte, and mezzo piano is soft but not as soft as piano. Just a few things for you to think about, but I can’t wait to hear you on Sunday!

Madison

I hope you can make it for the recital on Sunday! “The Planets” sounds great – try to play it a little bit softer and slower to get that spacey, floating feeling that you want to have in this piece. After the recital, we’ll go on to some new pieces. “Carol in G” sounds great, so after the recital, we can keep working on “French Lullaby”

Melody

I’m glad we have two pieces that are ready for the recital – “Old Macdonald” and “Jolly Old Saint Nicolas”. In “Old MacDonald”, you can practice the quack quack part in two ways. The first way is to count 1-2-3-move – saying move instead of four will help you remember that you have to move your hand. You can also practice by singing the words in that part – that will help your rhythm and so you don’t too much time for the jumps. In “Jolly Old Saint Nicolas”, make sure you don’t slow down in the uncomfortable measures – practice by counting and playing. Also practice the jump in the middle – it can be tricky, but the jumping exercise should help you. Congrats on a great semester!

Romain

Let’s prepare “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Join the Fun” for the recital. They both sounded great, so I think it will be a good chance for you to play both pieces in the recital. For “When the Saints..” pick a tempo that is not too fast, or too slow – just a regular marching tempo. When your tempo is perfect, you don’t rush or slow down – and everything feels very safe. “Join the Fun” is also very good – practice playing both pieces together in front of Juliette and your parents!

After the recital, we can work on “The Clown” and your new piece, “Waltz Time”.

Juliette

“Magic Man” sounds great! Don’t forget the rhythm in the beginning though! If you clap the rhythm in the beginning every day, you will not forget it. The second way to practice is to count and play at the same time – but of course, don’t do that at the concert. Just keep practicing and it will keep sounding great.

After the recital, we will do two new pieces that use the middle C position – “Good King Wencelas” and The Rainbow”.