General information about coming to a concert
*A note about a good concert manner
While we are a friendly, inclusive and accepting bunch of people, we expect certain rules to be adhered to or at least try to.
What? - Stay till the end of the concert (except for unavoidable needs to come late or leave early due to the event timetable etc).
- Keeping the noise to minimum (or vacate the hall quietly until your toddler settles)
- Except for an urgent need, do not leave your seat during the performance. If the performance started while you are still on move, stay where you are (standing at the wall, kneel down to the floor in between the isles etc) and move once the performance is over.
- Give an applause to knowledge the performer's effort
Why? - To show respect to performers and people running the concert, and also to support and encourage the performer, to foster a good manner for young students, leading it by example.
Thank you.
For any solo recitals throughout the year -
General information about Solo Performance
* Choose the piece with your teacher
* You must memorise the piece (no book/music stand allowed unless it is a Sonata beyond Book 10 or ensemble music. All Suzuki repertoire pieces MUST be played from memory)
*You must be able to play at the Suzuki accompaniment CD tempo (Even when you use a live accompanist, you still have to be able to play at the CD tempo. Sometimes you may choose slower tempo for performance, but this is by intentional choice not because you can't play fast enough)
*If you play pieces above Book 7 or outside the Suzuki repertoire, ask the piano accompanist if she/he wants the rehearsal BEFORE the day of the event. Please pay the fee to the accompanist directly.
*Regardless of the level of the piece you play, if you want or need to practise properly with a piano accompanist before the concert, please organise it like how you would for a lesson
(Do it before the concert, not on the same day. You need to contact the accompanist, inform which studio you are from, for what you are performing and ask for a rate)
*Organising the accompaniment (sheet music) is your responsibility. Please ask if the accompanist has a part or you need to get one.
(Not a photocopy but the original is needed for a public concert)
*Wear concert clothes and shoes at the concert. (no casual clothes unless specifically said so)
(Standard black-and-white concert outfit means white shirt/blouse with collar, black trousers/skirt and black business or dress shoes. T-shirt, polo-shirt, jeans, short pants and walker/sneaker/sport shoes are not considered 'black-and-white' even if they are in black and white colour.
The most Suzuki concerts accept colourful wear and smart casual, not formal outfit unless specified.
*If you are not sure, ASK your teacher about it.
GENERAL GUIDANCE ABOUT THE REHEARSAL (offered on the day of the concert):
Rehearsal: Re-hears-all. However, it is NOT a lengthy practice time; it is to hear how it sounds like prior to the concert.
Run-through: It is literary to play through the piece for the feel of the stage.
Sound-check: It is to play usually the beginning part of your piece only to check the balance,
acoustic and lighting.
The most rehearsal, run-though and sound-check gets you to play longer than stated above.
However, they do it to make sure THEY are happy about it for each purpose, so if YOU want to be happy about your purpose, you need to prepare sufficiently.