Holding Recitals During the Pandemic

5/12/2020

Submitted by Miriam Shingle

It is Recital Season. How does one create the opportunity for instrumental performance during our current situation of having to stay in our homes? What resources are out there for this? Are there any apps that can help?

There is the issue of sound quality and household internet bandwidth problems while livestreaming, the which I am sure many of us have been experiencing in our online teaching. Some of us may be considering posting video recordings of performances, something that I personally currently plan to do, in the HOPES that the videos will actually get watched by families!!

I am hoping that some of us can contribute to this blog by commenting with their recital ideas or already-utilized solutions. Or, perhaps someone out there would like to write a whole blog dedicated to this purpose! I think we as teachers would like to know what each other is planning to do-- or not do. Anyone? Let’s share and continue to support each other...

9 Comments

Sue Koenig

7/20/2020 01:47:12 pm

In my role as a contract teacher, thus far I've only experienced a live recital in Zoom. No matter what your settings are, I find that Zoom wasn't designed for music and the sound, the delays, and some really bad connections leave a lot to be desired. It worked best when I shared screen and played a recorded performance from a student who couldn't attend the recital.

Other options from teachers who say it worked more successfully involved making pre-recordings and playlists in Youtube and iTunes. I know some of our teachers have tried other ways of doing it and wish they would comment in this blog!

Elaine Friedlander link

7/20/2020 02:18:58 pm

I had my spring recital on YouTube this year. The parents made the videos and sent me the link. I then opened the link so it was on my YouTube page and saved them in a special listing. Then folks could watch the list of videos at their leisure. The sound was better than Zoom although many pianos were out of tune. Over all it was a success.

7/21/2020 09:23:00 am

Thanks for sharing, Elaine.

Ashley Radcliff link

7/20/2020 03:12:44 pm

I held my recital via zoom this past June. I had everyone submit their recital videos, then I stitched them together with iMovie to create a single recital video. I dropped off "recital kits" to each student the day before the recital which included the students' rewards, a bag of popcorn, m&ms, recital programs, and a white board and marker so that they could cheer each other on between performances (I left 10 seconds between performances for silent applause time). I had sent out a google form ahead of time so that families could let me know who to send the zoom invites to (family and friends etc). Overall it went very well--despite an initial audio glitch which we were able to fix. Since it was a prerecorded video, we didn't have the latency issues of doing it live, but everyone could see each other and applaud which was great!

7/21/2020 09:21:46 am

Thanks for sharing that, Ashley!

Jane heintzelman

7/20/2020 03:15:13 pm

I held my spring recital by video. Each student recorded his piece and sent the link to one of my high school students who put it all together on one video on you tube. Also, almost every student played a duet with a sibling or parent. I had a zoom conversation int two groups later where everyone was supposed to give a positive comment. This was to encourage them to listen. Worked pretty well.
Also finishing my guild auditions this week by recording. You are right about zoom sound. Not very reliable I have found. Perhaps I need better equipment. Any help Would be appreciated. Jane

7/21/2020 09:22:35 am

Thanks for sharing, Jane.

Janet L Woods

7/24/2020 01:35:57 pm

We held a You Tube Premiere recital --- it was great fun!! .... in that You tube Premiere offers the benefits of a pre-recorded video but premiering it in "live time: like a movie premiere. So all families watched it together at the Premiere time on Sunday June 14th. There is a live chat box so students and parents commented on the videos as they were featured. Provided a community feel as we listened together --- even though we couldn't see each other. I sent recital packets with the recital program and the student awards via postal mail. Some commented that they loved that their family --- from all over the world --- could watch. we had audience from as far away as Israel and Ireland. It was a lot of work - especially for me being such a novice at all of this --- but I was pretty happy --- and relieved --- in the end with the outcome.

7/24/2020 03:08:19 pm

That sounds like it was wonderful! Thanks for the post. I'm trying to get more intimate with YouTube and will have to take a look at the Premiere. I'll know who to talk to if I have questions!!!

The Main Line Muse

Holding Recitals During the Pandemic

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