Recital Preparation

At Harris Academy of the Arts, students and faculty get the chance to perform in recitals for their families and the community.

Preparing for a recital is more than just having a thirty minute or hour long lesson with an instructor. After all, those lessons only happen one time every week. It takes a lot of personal preparation to be fully ready for a recital performance.

Students have to prepare the proper attire for the recital, and also make sure they are getting enough practicing time throughout the day.

But practice doesn't just happen by going over the piece dozens of times a day. Simply sitting down and listening to the piece, which generally is easy to find on YouTube, also helps. For those who play an instrument, it helps to listen to the piece and silently “practice” along with your instrument. For vocalists, listening to the piece can help give you an idea of the emotional reaction you are trying to provoke from your audience.

Mental preparation is by far the easiest step to being fully ready for a recital: simply breathe, relax and focus. You are in the recital to perform what you've learned, and the audience is there to see you -- no need to be nervous!

Student recitals are free and open to all students, faculty and community members.