A concert can be anything from a small home gathering to a large hired venue. Both are easily staged but no matter how small or large, informal or formal your concert will be, they all require a plan of action.

At the Music Corner, we have found that a well planned event is much more fun for the music teacher and performers.

There are 3 styles of venues;

1.Home concert or piano (instrumental) party.

5 or 6 performers,
10 to 25 guests (relations and friends)

2.Small hired venue.

10 to 25 performers
30 to 100 guests.


3.Large Hired Venue.

25 to 50 performers.
100 to 300 guests.

For each venue there are certain items that need to be looked at and planned.

1.What is the theme going to be?

It is better to have a theme to connect the pieces together, rather than a selection of pieces that don't fit together. If you have a theme you can also have a story teller or narrator to add interest. (more on themes later.)

2.Are you going to have a master of ceremonies or presenter?

Unlike the narrator this person gives out Certificates, Prizes and Rosettes etc...

3.Are you going to sell tickets, if so at how much?

Even a small concert at home can cost an amount. It is advisable to charge a nominal fee if only to ensure that people take the concert as seriously as you and your pupils do. It also means that people who buy tickets are more than likely to come to the concert.
There are also other things to look at, depending on the venue size. We will look at these in more detail.

A concert is an ideal place to give out:


Certificates,
Badges,
Prizes,
Cups etc...


Tips for your concert.

Dont keep all your best players until the end. The good players hold your concert together and supply interest.

Beginners play one piece. At the next concert when they have improved they can play 2 pieces etc...

Let your better players play more pieces than inexperienced pupils. Younger pupils are inspired by listening to the more experienced pupils play.

To help prevent nerves, ensure that pieces are ready, for a concert practice 3-4 weeks before the concert date.

Teenagers and adults tend to be more self conscious than the under 12's and will appreciate a trial run.

Themes.
Themes vary depending on the time of year, Some ideas for themes are, The sea side, The country, A tourists guide to baroque (or classical, romantic etc) Dance suites, German songs, the list is endless.

We try to mix up the standards of pupils so there is a good combination of tunes. In our Summer Holiday section we use Joan Lasts Farmyard parade.