With only a couple weeks to go before the APA Winter Music Concert, all of our students are working hard to get their songs performance-ready. Our music teachers are helping students take their pieces beyond the basic level of playing or singing correct notes and rhythms, and working toward creating performances with expression and feeling. Students and teachers are working together to prepare wonderful music to showcase to all of our APA music families and friends. It is a lot of work, but so important for the growth of all of our musicians.
One big question I receive every year from music parents is: How can I help my child prepare for the concert when I know nothing about music? For all of you parents out there who are looking for guidance on how to best help your musician, here are several ways in which YOU, yes YOU, can help 😊…
1.) Provide an audience for your musician when they are practicing their concert piece.
Most of us experience some sort of performance anxiety before a show because we want to do well and we care what the audience thinks. It is a natural response to the excitement of the event, and it is important for students to acknowledge it, and not let it affect them in a negative way. One of the best things your musician can do is get a ton of practice playing in front of an audience before the actual performance. The more they do this, the easier it will get for them to perform through their nerves. Parents can be a great audience for their child, and can also gather friends and family to be an audience as well.
2.) Give performance feedback on the non-music related details.
Before each performance, music students walk out on the stage and prepare to perform, before actually performing. This may include things like adjusting the bench for pianists, making sure the microphone height is good for vocalists, setting up a music stand for violinists and guitar players. The student performs, and then acknowledges the applause of the audience with a bow or curtsy before walking off stage. It is amazing how much easier it is to do all of this successfully when you have practiced this procedure multiple times before a performance. APA music teachers will take care of helping each student get set up on the actual stage, but parents can be hugely helpful by reminding their child what to practice at home AND by giving constructive feedback while they prepare for that moment on stage. For example, parents can remind their child to: 1.) make sure to breathe and let their body relax as much as possible, 2.) walk with confidence, 3.) smile (this is a big one as just going through the motion of a smile can make a child relax a little before a performance), and 4.) remember to acknowledge the audience with a bow or curtsy before they leave the stage.
3.) Help your musician select an appropriate performance outfit.
This may seem silly, but having the right performance outfit can be very helpful to a musician. You obviously want your musician to dress formally for their concert, but you also want them to be comfortable so they can perform their music without any unnecessary restriction. For example, if your pianist is using the pedal with their song, they want to wear shoes that will allow them to press it down with ease and without a lot of extra effort. Something like flip flops (even if they are a more formal pair) will make this more difficult to do. If your child is a vocalist and only practices their song with flats on, they should make sure to perform at the concert with dress flats so their shoes do not negatively affect their balance and posture. What we wear isn’t usually something we think would affect our performance, but it truly does!
4.) Make sure your musician knows that you will be proud of them no matter what happens at the concert.
This is hands down the most important thing you can do for your musician. The number one fear of most musicians before a performance is that they will make a mistake. They need to know that mistakes are okay and very normal in a live performance. The more they practice performing through mistakes instead of stopping and starting anytime one is made, the better they will be at not letting mistakes negatively affect their performance. If they know that you are not judging them based on mistakes, and that you just want them to have fun and enjoy their performance, it will help ease a lot of their anxiety. Even though I know parents already feel this way, it is so important for our students to HEAR IT from their parents/guardians directly.
No matter if you are a parent with a music background or without one, all of the above is helpful for concert preparation. As always, if you have any further questions on how to best help your child prepare, seek the guidance of your child’s music teacher. They work one-on-one with your child and can provide very specific insight on what will work best for your musician.
Tiffany Sullivan- APA Music Director
*For more APA Winter Concert FAQs, including where to purchase tickets, click the button!