How Long Do Piano Recitals Usually Last?

[Christine]

My son had his very first piano recital last weekend. We've never been to one and did not know what to expect. My DD was at a party and needed to be picked up at a specific time (30 minutes away from the recital). I figured we had plenty of time.

When we got there, the program showed about 50 kids participating in this recital. Each child was performing two songs. My son was about #35 in this line up. There was an intermission mid-way through the recital with a "party" afterward. Okayyyyyyy.....

After the first child played, he walked to his parents and they got up and left. This continued through the first 25 kids. Only about one or two of the other families stayed. During the intermission, I asked DH if he thought we should stay or go. He felt that it was rude to leave (me too); however, it was getting really late (an hour and 10 minutes had lapsed) and we were getting worried about getting to DD on time. Finally my son played. We stayed and listed to 5 or 6 more students and then felt we had to leave. On our way out, the director was out in the lobby and she was obviously upset that people were leaving. I felt horrible, but I couldn't stay and had no idea. By the time we left, and hour and 45 minutes had gone by and there were still about 10 other kids that needed to play.

Is this excessive for a recital. Both DH and I felt that the recital should have been split into two groups with the advanced students having their own recital and the younger kids having theirs. I think people would have stayed and sat through this. I felt what the studio did was unreasonable (we were all crammed into a small dance studio with very little air conditioning) for the amount of time. But maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Tigger_Magic]

If there are that many students, the teacher should have scheduled 2 recitals as you suggest. An hour and 10 mins. for the first HALF, then an intermission and you sat through another hour and 45 mins?!?! The teacher should have given you both an award for perseverance!! That recital was WAY too long.

 

[Michie]

They last FOREVER. My DD's school has a talent show each year, it lasts about 4 hours This year they did not have an intermission And it was in hot, very hot gym. I was really starting to worry about some of the kids.

I know in the past piano recitals I have been to, they usually kept it to about 3 minutes per child.

 

[Christine]

If there are that many students, the teacher should have scheduled 2 recitals as you suggest. An hour and 10 mins. for the first HALF, then an intermission and you sat through another hour and 45 mins?!?! The teacher should have given you both an award for perseverance!! That recital was WAY too long.

No, it was an hour and 10 minutes for the first half. Then they had the intermission, then 2 more students played, THEN my son. By the time we left, it was very close to 2 hours since the beginning and there were 10 more students to go. The whole thing must have lasted close to 2.5 hours. I just think that's too long. I was thinking an 1.5 hours tops.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

No, it was an hour and 10 minutes for the first half. Then they had the intermission, then 2 more students played, THEN my son. By the time we left, it was very close to 2 hours since the beginning and there were 10 more students to go. The whole thing must have lasted close to 2.5 hours. I just think that's too long. I was thinking an 1.5 hours tops.

Sorry -- I never was very good with math. Still, 2.5 hours is long. If there are that many students and the teacher wants to have a single recital, then plan for each student to perform ONCE. I took piano lessons as a kid and at our recitals we each performed one time. Then a few exceptional students did a duet. We never had more than 30 students either.

I still think you deserve an award for perseverance!

 

[RyMickey]

The teacher should definitely have split this up into two. Having each student play two songs! That's insane! I've played in many a piano recital and I gotta say that (sorry, this is gonna be unpopular) I can't understand how parents can sit through 15+ beginner piano students! Teachers (and my teacher did this) need to split up the students so that some beginner, intermediate, and advanced students play at each recital so that parents can see a full range of talent. Plus, by doing this, many of the beginner students can see what they could become if they practice enough.

My piano teacher had (at the most) 20 students at each recital and each recital had a mix of students, from first grade to college. She usually held two or even three recitals within a span of a week.

 

[olena]

That's too many performers for a recital. It could probably have been split in two.

And the people getting up after their child performs in the beginning is very rude and sets a bad example for music appreciation.

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Our recital was 20 students (from beginner to Senior in high school) playing one piece each with an awards ceremony immediately afterward. It was over in just under one hour and NOT one family left early.

At our studio, they split up the performances and have three different recitals in one afternoon. This makes it a lot easier on everyone.

 

[Christine]

Okay, thanks, so I'm not crazy. DH is going to piano lessons tonight with DS and I think I will have him speak to the director/owner of the studio. I really don't want to be put in that position again and I felt HORRIBLE for leaving early.

 

[disykat]

Excessive. My mom taught piano and she had recitals in our home. She always did two. One group played, had refreshments, we cleaned up like lunatics, and then the next group came.

I'm sitting here remembering the time I brought a friend home from college and it happened to be recital weekend. Poor unsuspecting victim was hauling folding chairs, sweeping, pouring punch - She said she'd never seen anything like recital weekend at our house!

 

[Christine]

I think this recital was bad because it is done by a studio that does dance, drama, piano, voice, and violin (among other things). There are two piano teachers that teach at the studio; hence, the reason for lots of students. I'm sure the dance studio didn't want to hold that many recitals because it cuts into their use of their facility. I understand all that, but I don't think I can take it!