Piano recitals are a great chance for students to show off all their hard work and new-found skills in front of their closest friends and family.
As a teacher, you want to make sure that these piano recitals are creative and fun for both the students and attendees.
Pulling off the perfect piano recital, however, isn’t always easy. After all, there are a lot of moving parts involved from the theme to the decorations to the gifts.
If you’re sick of the old run-of-the-mill piano recitals, then it might be time to spice things up.
Lucky for you, we’ve searched the web for the best piano recital ideas as well as asked our very own teachers to share with us their favorite ideas.
Below is a compilation of the 20+ best piano recital ideas. Note: These ideas can be applied to any music recital, such as violin, drums, guitar, and more.
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Piano Recital Tips
Pulling off a successful piano recital takes a lot time, effort, and preparation. Before you get started on planing your next piano recital, browse through the tips and tricks below from experienced piano teachers.
Start Planning Early
Finding the best piece for each student takes time. They need time to prepare and hopefully, memorize their song. It’s better to have the song up early and put it on a shelf for a few weeks then to be rushing at the last minute, suggests Student Music Organizer.
Send Out Invitations in Advance
Send out invitations to students and parents three months in advance telling them to mark their calendars and then one more memo two weeks before the concert or recital, advises TakeLessons teacher Sarah W. Need help? Check out this great recital invitation creator from JoyTunes.
Keep Parents in the Know
Give your students a practice plan for in between lessons and make sure parents are aware. Giving parents frequent updates leading up to the recital will ensure that they are encouraging their child to practice at home.
Do a Practice Run-Through
Do a practice performance with your students during the last lesson or two before the recital. Go over walking up to the piano, sitting down, placing music on the stand, and taking a deep breath before beginning, suggests TakeLessons teacher Patti C.
Get in on the Fun
Consider playing along with a few of your students during the recital. Not only will this help ease any nerves they may have, but it will also show them that you’re putting in the practice time too!
Make it Memorable
Make it memorable. Take lots of pictures and video. Send them to the parents. This helps them remember that piano lessons are both awesome and indispensable, says Corrie Anne’s blog.
Piano Recital Ideas
If you’re stumped on what your next piano recital should be, check out these fun and creative ideas gathered from around the web. From invitations to gifts to decor, we’ve got everything covered!
Medieval Times
Have your students channel their inner knight, princess, or dragon at a Medieval Times-themed piano recital. Students can perform fun pieces, such as “The Knight’s Tale” by Catherine Rollin and “King’s March” by Jane Bastien. Get creative and make a coat of arms for your studio to print on the piano recital programs.
Around the World
First, have each student choose a country and learn a few piano pieces that resemble the region. Encourage students to dress in traditional garb from whatever country they choose. Get creative with the piano recital invitations and make them look like mini-passports. You can even take it a step further and provide snacks and refreshments from around the globe.
Mission Impossible
What child doesn’t dream of one day being a top-secret spy? Assign each student a spy name, like Agent Johnson, and have them dress up in agent costumes or disguises. Students will play spy-themed music from movies like James Bond and Pink Panther. Bonus tip: Place piano recital programs in “Classified” or “Top Secret” folders. (via At Home and Away.)
Favorite Composer
Each student will choose his or her favorite composer; for example, Brahms, Beethoven, or Chopin. Before playing a song from their repertoire, the students will give a short 2-3 minute speech about the composer they’ve chosen. To make it extra fun have students dress up as the composer they’ve chosen.
Back to the Movies
Decorate your studio like a movie theater with velvet red ropes and row seating. Each student will perform a song from their favorite movie. At the reception, serve up some traditional movie snacks, such as candy and buttery popcorn. Bonus tip: Create piano recital invitations that look like movie tickets to carry out the theme.
Hidden Treasures
Decorate your studio like a movie theater with velvet red ropes and row seating. Each student will perform a song from their favorite movie. At the reception, serve up some traditional movie snacks, such as candy and buttery popcorn. Bonus tip: Create piano recital invitations that look like movie tickets to carry out the theme.
Bring Back the ’80s
Although your students might not have been born in the ’80s, chances are they’re familiar with the decade. Bring it back to the ’80s by having students dress up in their best ’80s costume. There are a ton of great pop songs from the ’80s that students can perform. Bonus tip: Make it a family affair and encourage parents to dress up in their best ’80s clothes.
Disney Characters
Throw a Disney-themed piano recital by encouraging your students to dress up as their favorite Disney character, such as Elsa, Nemo, Jasmine, or Simba. Also, have each student play a song from their favorite movie. Take the theme even further by serving Disney-themed foods and refreshments at the reception.
All That Jazz
Jazz it up! Turn your studio into an old-fashion jazz house and throw a jazz-themed piano recital. Students will dress in their best jazz outfits and play music from the era. Not only will this introduce students to a new genre of music, but it will also build their techniques and repertoire.
Wild Wild West
Invite students to dress up as cowboys and cowgirls for a western-themed piano recital. Decorate your studio with items, such as bandannas, horses, saddles, and more. Students will choose their favorite country or western song to perform. Bonus tip: Encourage parents and siblings to dress up too!
Jungle Safari
Take your students and audience on a wild safari with this jungle-themed piano recital idea. Students will dress in safari attire–such as khaki clothing, hats, and accessories–and play scales that resemble a jungle animal. Decorate the venue with pictures of animals, such as lions, tigers, and bears. (via Gist Piano Center.)
Lights on Broadway
Students will channel their inner Broadway star at this themed piano recital. Students will choose a song from their favorite Broadway show as well as dress up as one of the characters. Bonus tip: Dim the lights and put a spotlight on your students. Also, encourage attendees to dress up for the special occasion.
Favorite Duo
Encourage each participant to bring a friend or family member up on stage and play a duet together! If a student doesn’t have a musical friend or family member, offer to play with him or her. Students will love playing with another musician and they will learn special tips and tricks for playing with others.
Olympics
A little competition never hurt anyone! Throw your own musical Olympics in which you play contests or games in between songs. Consider repertoire like “Go For the Gold” (Hal Leonard Lesson Book, Books 1-2), “Relay Race” (Hal Leonard Lesson Book, Book 4), and “The Gymnast” (Alfred Premiere, Lesson 2A). Bonus tip: Hand out Olympic-themed medals to each student.
Musical Superhero
Have students dress up as their favorite superhero and select repertoire from superhero movie themes. As an at-home activity, have students create their own custom cape that they can reveal at the recital. Bonus tip: Create superhero-themed piano recital invitations for students to take home.
Night at the Oscars
It’s all about the glitz and the glamour at this Night at the Oscars-themed piano recital. Select Oscar award-winning music or simple music from the year’s best movies. Students and attendees will wear their fanciest outfits for the occasion. Bonus tip: Decorate the room with a Hollywood-sign, a red carpet, and Hollywood stars on the floor. (via Teach Piano Today.)
Nature Walk
Take the audience through a simulated nature walk by selecting a repertoire that represents things in nature, like waterfalls, mountains, weather patterns, etc. This is the perfect piano recital theme for those spring months when the weather is nice. Bonus tip: Decorate your studio with seasonal decorations, such as leaves and flowers.
Comedy Show
Who said piano recitals had to be so serious? Throw a comedy-themed recital in which students tell their favorite jokes during intermission. Composecreate.com has a great list of humorous piano songs that students can play. If you’re in need of some piano jokes or puns, check out our list of the top 50 here.
Hawaiian Luau
During the summer months, throw a Hawaiian luau-themed piano recital. Students can dress in their favorite straw hat, sandals, and Hawaiian-print shirt. Bonus tips: For the reception, lay out some fresh fruit and fruity drinks for the students and parents to enjoy.
America the Beautiful
Get patriotic around the 4th of July with this themed piano recital. Dress the students in red, white, and blue, and decorate the venue with U.S. flags and other decor. Select repertoire from American composers, such as John Philip Sousa. Bonus tip: Offer American-style BBQ food at the reception.
Across the Pond
The Beatles, Elton John, and Queen. These are all great British musicians and bands students can channel for this UK-themed piano recital. Encourage students to dress up as their favorite artist from across the pond. Serve traditional British food and drinks at the reception.
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Maria Kusior