The Joy of Performing -Why I encourage recitals from an early age.

The piano-programs I run in preschools have a recital every ten weeks. I often get emails from parents saying; this is nice -the 3 year-olds aren’t really going to play, are they? But of course they always do, and with great discipline and focus too.
Our society is very performance-oriented, so, as a teacher I usually focus more on the joy of having a daily, creative practice. This is often the area that needs more support. But the joy of performing is equally important.

The creative process has three distinct phases, and as adults encouraging children’s creativity, it is important to be familiar with each of them, in order to be able to guide the child through the process. We provide the structure and children provide abundant curiosity and creative energy.

Inspiration: This is an exciting phase, that is really easy for most children to enter. It is where we get a new idea for something we want to build or make -or see a new song in our lesson book we want to learn. The ideas are shiny and new, full of promise. This is a very exciting phase for children to be in.

Workshop: This is where we get into the nitty gritty of things, and usually where parents and teachers are needed to provide structure: Setting time limits for activities, setting daily routines for practice; being a calm presence when frustration mounts. Encouraging them to continue and keep practicing.

Performance: When we have a recital, presentation or show-and-tell. this is where we:

• Get to finish pieces we have been working on. When we finish something and present it, we make a mark in the sand of how far we have come. We may not have mastered our art (that takes a lifetime), but we finished this project. We have grown since last time. We are ready to move on.
• By performing things that are different or harder than last time, we expand our idea of who we are and what is possible for us as people. Sometimes in recitals, otherwise confident children feel shy, and learn to move through it. Sometimes shy children experience confidence because they experience performing in warm, supportive environment.
• We are social beings. The joy of making music together of performing for each other is essential for humans, I think. We have always done it, since living in caves! Recitals and other forms of performances are just plain fun.

The last couple of years performances have been on hold. I sincerely hope that will change the next couple of months. Until then, there is nothing wrong with putting on a play at home or with a few friends; getting the grandparents on the ipad for a zoom-recital, or putting up art to make a little gallery-wall in an area of your home.