Italian Art Songs and Arias Recital- Program
Intermission Volunteering
Arrivals
- Always bring a copy of your music with you just in case.
- House will be open to audience TBD
- Parents/Guardians- Please, bring your performers and leave them here to dress and help prep the space for the performance. This is not just free labor for us but a chance for singers to get comfortable with one another prior to the performance. Singers should arrive TBD
Dress
- NO CHORAL UNIFORMS
- Dress Nice
- JEANS ALLOWED FOR THIS ONE
- Wear something you would wear to a funeral
- I hate ties and do not require them, but by all means wear them if they are your thing.
Deportment
- Sit toward the front of the audience with the other performers and away from your family
- Singing is a social activity- all performers are required to have a conversation with every other performer (try a compliment)
- If anyone must enter or leave during the performance, use the back stairs and only do so during applause- not during someone else’s piece
- Listen to the other performers as you would hope they will listen to you
Entering and Exiting the Performance Area
- When the performer before you takes their first step to leave the stage, rise and take your first step to enter it- (Because of the nature of this particular recital speed is very important. Don’t dawdle)
- Performers must acknowledge each other as they pass (try encouragement or congratulations- but let’s stop short of high-fives and conversation. A smile is more than adequate)
On Stage
- Prepare to sing from the crook of the piano and face the audience
- Smile and nod at the audience
- Smile and nod at the pianist to let them know you are ready to start your piece
- As you perform- focus your attention above the audience or perhaps between individual audience members
- As your piece ends you must not break focus until the piano is completely released. Do not move while it is creating sound
- Bow to acknowledge applause
- Bow from the waist, do not clutch your stomach (unless you have appendicitis)
- Do not drop a curtsey (unless your dress would make a bow awkward and it has been previously sanctioned by your teacher)
- Look briefly at your shoes in order to show the top of your head to the audience as a sign of obeisance
- Do not whip your head as if you are trying to head butt someone- move gracefully
- Acknowledge the pianist- extend your arm toward their face for the benefit of the audience
- Look past your hand to the pianist’s face while smiling, palm forward, fingers together
- Wait for the pianist to acknowledge this by acknowledging you or the audience with a nod or bow
- Smile and nod at the audience
- Immediately leave
- See instructions for entering and exiting the performance area above
