Recital Compliment Exchange
Do you dread planning a recital for your studio? Maybe you’ve done so many recitals; you are in a rut with doing the same old thing year after year. Maybe you’ve heard one too many complaints from students (or parents) that recitals are boring. A Compliment Exchange is a great answer to these problems.
I have done this several times at recitals and it is always a big hit. Students LOVE getting praise from multiple people, not just the teacher and their parents. Students also get valuable feedback on areas they could improve. For example, one of my voice students was told “great vocal quality, loved your songs, but I had trouble hearing some of your words. Could you sing louder next time?” This was not only helpful to the student but to me as the teacher as I had been accompanying the student and wasn’t aware how difficult it was to hear her.
A second benefit of a recital compliment exchange is community building. I love seeing a musical community form through my studio. Families who have attended my recitals for years not only see growth in their own children, but in other students in the studio, and will encourage those students as such. The compliment exchange strengthens bonds.
Thirdly, a compliment exchange builds listening skills, both the students and the audience members. The ability to attend, observe, and evaluate music are all valuable skills that are sadly overlooked much of the time in our fast paced day and age. Music is not only expressive but receptive as well. Are we good listeners? Thoughtful listeners? When asked to write a compliment and an encouragement for a particular student, regardless if the student has played for 6 months or 6 years, the listener pays thoughtful and careful attention to a variety of details within each song.
In the end, a recital compliment exchange is a great way to encourage students, develop the listening skills of students and audience members alike, and to forge a musical community of excellence and encouragement.
How Does It Work – upon arrival at the recital, every audience member – students, friends, and family members- receive a card with a specific performer’s name on it. When their student performs, each audience member fills out the card with a compliment and an encouragement. After the recital, the audience members can drop the cards off in labeled goodie bags in the back of the recital. Each student then goes home with a goodie bag AND specific praise and encouragement from several audience members.
Go to my Teachers Pay Teachers store or CLICK on the title of this Blog Post to order and download the recital compliment exchange and add some sparkle and sizzle to your recital today. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Music-Studio-Recital-Compliment-Exchange-4813735