How to Prepare for A Concert

by Analisa Byrd

Preparing for an elementary music performance can be a fun and exciting experience for students and teachers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan and execute a successful performance:

1. Choose the Format
1. When selecting music for an elementary performance, consider the students' age, skill level, and target audience.
2. Music selection for your performance should be done weeks or even months before the first rehearsal. This gives you time to plan, receive any new music, and prepare additional materials ahead of time. Planning and rehearsing simultaneously can overwhelm the teacher and lead to inefficient use of rehearsal time down the line.
3. Consider providing a mix of familiar songs, seasonal pieces, and new material that challenges your students. Various styles (classical, folk, popular music) keep the performance engaging for students and the audience.
4. Depending on the community at your school, you can do in-formances that inform parents about what is happening in the classroom.
5. A pre-developed show is also a great option, as the songs and speaking parts are already created for you!

1. Plan the Program
1. Set a Date & Venue: Coordinate with the school administration to book the date and venue well in advance. Consider acoustics, seating, and any technical needs. Also, if your school requires special permission to extend the air conditioner or heat in the building, do this months in advance to ensure your venue is comfortable for
   
   students and attendees.
2. Create a Theme: If applicable, select a theme (e.g., “Seasons of the Year,” “Songs Around the World”) to give the performance a cohesive feel.
3. Balanced Program: Include solos, group songs, and instrumentals (if applicable) to vary the program and give different students a chance to shine.
4. Speaking Parts: If the show doesn’t have speaking parts written, consider adding them to allow students time to transition between instruments, microphones, or small costume changes.
5. Rehearsal Schedule: Write a specific rehearsal schedule you will maintain to the best of your ability. Be prepared to isolate problem areas within a song, speaking parts, or costuming.   
6. Communicate with Parents and Classroom Teachers: Consider sending a save-the-date email/note home, let classroom teachers know how they can help you prepare, and share as much information about how they can support you early in the performance preparation. If you wait until the last minute, you do not give parents or classroom teachers enough time. If you have special speaking parts or solos, asking parent permission is highly encouraged to ensure the student feels safe in that role and that the student will be present at the performance.

1. Rehearsals
1. Daily Practice: Incorporate regular practice into your music class schedule. Start with small sections and build up to performing the whole song.
1. It will take about 6- 8 weeks to teach about six songs, depending on their age and skill level. Since most of the music is taught by rote at this age, you must allow time to listen to the songs, isolate each phrase, and finally memorize. I suggest speaking the words, singing the words, and then immediately adding choreography /movement, especially if it helps with remembering the words.
2. Choreography/Movement: If your songs include movements or dances, teach them early and allow for plenty of rehearsal time.
1. Evaluate the choreography or movement to determine if it will assist with song memorization or distract students from learning the material. You may need to adjust it—simplify, modify, or add to it—based on your comfort level with teaching choreography and whether the students need additional support in remembering the lyrics.
3. Memorization: For younger students, avoid overloading them with memorization. If sheet music is used, ensure students are comfortable reading it or following along.
4. Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between songs or acts to ensure a flow during the performance. If there are costume or set changes, enlist classroom teacher help, parent help, or help from older students. Trying to direct and help with transitions is very overwhelming.

1. Organize Logistics
1. Plan the seating arrangement for the audience, designate a gathering
   
   area for performers before the show, determine their arrival time, and decide whether they should come dressed in costume or change upon arrival.
2. Sound System: Ensure microphones and sound equipment are set up for rehearsals and the performance day if necessary. Tape down with gaff tape any loose wires, microphone cables, etc., so students can safely navigate around the wires on stage.
3. Program: Create a printed program with song titles, composers, and any special acknowledgments. You may opt for a digital program using a QR code to help save paper, and attendees can easily save the digital format!

1. Invitations/Performance Attire:
1. Send Out Invitations: Inform parents about the performance date, time, and dress code (if applicable). You can create fun invitations for students to bring home.
2. Performance Attire: Set a simple, easy-to-follow dress code (e.g., white tops and black bottoms, or themed costumes if relevant). If you have multiple classes performing, allow them to dress slightly differently so the audience can distinguish them from other performers.
3. If a special costume is required, consider letting parents know this early on in preparation so they can have time to purchase or create the costume.

1. Final Rehearsals (Dress Rehearsal)

1. Address Stage Presence: Teach students about stage presence, such as how to enter/exit the stage, standing still, smiling, and looking confident. Teach final points and final moves at the ends of songs so the audience is prepared to clap and take pictures.
2. Sound Check: If using microphones, test them and ensure everyone knows how to handle them properly. Ideally, you want the students to have a week or more in front of a microphone to learn their cues of when to begin speaking and how loud/soft to talk and check stand height, but if you can only do this during one rehearsal, then make sure it is done towards the end of their preparation.
3. Full Run-Through: Have a full run-through of the performance a day or two before the event, ensuring all transitions and timing are practiced.

1. Performance Day
1. Warm-Up: Have a short warm-up session for both voices and instruments to get students relaxed and focused.
2. Stay Calm and Positive: Keep the atmosphere light and encouraging. Emphasize that the performance involves having fun and sharing music with their families and friends.
3. Stay Organized: Have a clear plan for getting students on and off the stage, and ensure staff or volunteers are helping to manage the students backstage.
4. Have a plan for how to dismiss students back to their families. Safety is a concern at large community events, and having a plan to relay to parents is extremely helpful.

1. After the Performance
1. Celebrate: Congratulate the students on their hard work.
2. Feedback: After the performance, reflect on what worked and what could be improved for the future. You could also ask students for their thoughts and suggestions.

These steps will help create a well-prepared, enjoyable, and memorable performance experience for elementary school students.