Hi everyone~

I was wondering if any of you have specific requirements regarding Recitals in your studio policy. Most of my students have been great about "signing up" for the recitals and then attending. Maybe two times now, though, I've had students' parents tell me a week or less ahead of the recital that they are not coming. One family decided last minute (the morning of the recital..grr) to go out of town and the other one I have no idea.

I know sometimes very valid things do come up.. but my time and the student's time ought to be respected by the parents.

I was thinking that in my studio policy that I could mention that students must stay committed to attending recitals they sign up for. If they do not, they may not be eligible for participating in future recitals.

I just want the families to take the recitals seriously and not waste my time or the student's time (we spent at least a month preparing for a recital).

Any ideas?

I require attendance and performance at recitals. The dates are on the calendar at the beginning of the year. I also issue reminders at the beginning of the terms and I have dates on my website. I also make sure the parents are invested in the preparation. It helps build the excitement!

Thanks for sharing. I also hand out a calendar sheet with all important dates (I scheduled them all in August 2011) and send out reminders a full 5 weeks ahead and another reminder a week before. But having the dates on my website is a good new idea for me!

Do you have any repercussions for those who skip out, or has that ever happened, Arlene?

The only time it happened was when a student had another musical event. How can you argue with that?

I also have recital dates for parents in Sept. I collect a recital fee by April of the next year but I will still have one or two skip the recital for who knows what reasons. Mine are mandatory but I guess to some parents mandatory doesn't mean anything.

I guess I've been pretty lucky and only had a couple of no-shows (and they were several years ago), two couldn't make it and I did get advance notice, one due to a wedding (but still submitted a recording for people to hear) and the other had an audition for a youth orchestra the day of the recital, which he was accepted and played in for 3 years.

Meri

In my experience, when I've worked to make each "Piano Party" an exciting EVENT it's always the children who are the ones that "make" their parents put it on the family's calendar and keep it a priority.

I automatically figure in a recital fee as part of the tuition. I go into more detail about it in my studio policy (the part about what tuition covers). Parents know that they are paying a recital fee, whether they attend or not. Mine is almost equal to a 30 min lesson fee, so it's not piddly. I have two recitals each year. When parents realize this they try their best to attend.

Are there any consequences in your studio for those who miss a recital?

I have to agree with John about the Piano Parties. My kids are the ones clamoring to set the next date so these have been first to claim a spot on everyone's calendar.