How to Hold a Recital at a Coffeehouse

Three years ago, I took a risk and held a recital, more like a gig at a local coffee shop.

Little did I know that it would become an annual tradition. Even our local teachers association now books the venue once a year.

First, a shout-out to the establishment—Atlas Coffee—for allowing—maybe tolerating—piano music from various budding pianists.

Next, a shout-out to my studio families for embracing the idea of a casual performance opportunity. It’s a great place for performers to practice performing without the added pressure of a stage and bright lights.

Here are my plans for this year’s event.

📍Where

This year, like in years past, the Christmas gig will be held at Atlas Coffee in Littleton, Colorado. This year, I’ve booked 6510, a large room with tables and couches adjacent to the shop, to provide additional space for student families.

🕐 When

To ensure that most pianists can squeeze in this event during their overbooked December, pianists are invited to arrive anytime during a two-hour window on a Saturday, with fair warning that there will be a hard stop at the end of two hours.

🧑🏼‍🎄 Attire

Performers are asked to wear something festive--hat, socks, dress, ugly Christmas sweater--something that shows their holiday spirit.

If they don't own anything like that, I ask that they avoid sweats, shorts, and a t-shirt and dress for success.   

🚗 When to Arrive

In the past, I tried to coordinate arrivals and departures, but it didn’t make a difference—things just worked out, so I’m not micro-managing this year. People will come and go, and frankly, it’s hard for most to leave as they enjoy themselves so much.

This year, I’ve planned a few new activities for around 2 PM, so I’m asking everyone to be there around then.

First, I will lead Wendy Stevens’ cup-tapping routine to "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," while my student Jackson accompanies us.

Next, Jackson (who is earning his college degree in accounting) will create a medley of tunes requested by the audience. This guy’s ability to make a mashup medley on the fly is out of this world. I take absolutely NO credit for his supernatural skills.

Below is a video of him preparing for Saturday. I purposely choose VERY random tunes for him to mash up. He met the challenge although he felt he could have done better.

☑️ What Students Do When They Arrive

1. Since my Yamaha P-255 digital piano will be placed in 6510, the rented room right next to Atlas Coffee, I’ve asked my student Maddy to assist me. She will stand at the door wearing a festive Christmas scarf and directing people where to go.

2. As they enter the room, Maddy will write the student’s name on a jumbo sticky note pad that all can see, so pianists know the order of performers. She will cross off names as they perform.

3. Each family will receive one program. The program includes a QR code. When scanned, the program can be viewed online via the Huyzine app within Canva. You still have time to learn about this in my Canva Training! Learn more here.

4. The program lists pianists in alphabetical order--NOT in the order of performers, since that depends on when student families arrive.

5. To keep listeners occupied while they sip their beverages, I created a wordsearch on this website using the program's music titles. The puzzle is included in the printed program, along with a QR code players can scan to access it online.

Check out this sample program viewable online with the Huyzine app inside Canva.

Scan the QR code to view the program on a mobile device. Students’ names have been removed.

Here are Tips I Share with Families

🎹 Practice tips in preparation for Saturday

Playing the piano and practicing the piano are not the same as performing at the piano!

This week, pianists and I have practiced performing at lessons and it's important that this "practice" continues at home.

1. Parents, give your pianists your ears. Sit and listen to your pianist perform to provide that feeling of an audience.

2. Get out the camera and record a video. The camera ALMOST simulates the pressure of performing in front of others.

3. Instead of binge practice, where pianists play their pieces three times and call it good for the day, encourage driveby practice where pianists play five different times throughout the day.

4. Nudge review of tough parts, then ask your pianist to play through the piece and aim to play with dynamics, good posture, and flow. If there's an error, avoid stopping to fix it.

5. Check to see how reliable the piece is by playing it at least five times throughout the day--before dinner, after dinner, before bed...

👏 Performance Tips for Pianists

1. Please plan to announce your NAME and the pieces you will play. Speak up so everyone can hear you!

2. Remember the Five Ps of Performing, and take your time to check the bench, your posture, and the placement of your hands. Imagine the tempo of your piece BEFORE you begin.

3. Don't forget to bow and smile after each piece.

4. Grab a photo with a photo prop. You'll find them scattered around the room.

5. Sign up to play one or more of your pieces again.
   [NOTE: This happens ALL the time. At first, pianists are timid, and then they loosen up and are eager to play. Sometimes I need to tell them no more!]

FAQs

• How did you approach the owner or manager about the idea?

  A cool teacher held a recital at an Atlas Coffee in west Denver.

  It gave me the courage to approach the one in my neighborhood.

  I purchased a latte, told the barista about the idea of a piano recital in their store and she gave me the store manager contact info. We set a date to meet and the manager was excited to make it happen.

  My guess is that you’ll have more success contacting a local store rather than a big chain.

• How did you get them to remember you had scheduled this event at their location?

  The store has a calendar of events and my recital was added to the schedule.

  I also made a point of contacting the manager the week of to remind her that the recital was coming up and that they may want to have extra baristas prepped for the crowd.

• What day and time worked for your studio? 

  The first year, pianists were asked to arrive anytime between 10AM and 12 PM on Saturday.

  After that, the store asked me to schedule in the afternoon to avoid the morning rush.

  Offering a window for student families to come and go works well and guarantees better attendance.

• Did you take an amp or a speaker to attach to the keyboard for more volume?

  I did not bring an amp as I don’t own one.

  I did bring my Yamaha P-255 and the sound carried well through the store.

• Did you announce anything or just have each come up and start playing?

  In the past, I have not opened with a small speech but because I’m renting a room this year, I may say some words before we get started.

  Also, this year, I’m asking students to stand by the piano and say their name and the title of their pieces.

• Since it’s casual, do your students bow?

  Yes, bowing is part of the Five P’s of Performing which we practice while taking videos of their performance pieces.

  Even though it’s casual, I want bowing to be a habit because it’s polite to acknowledge applause!

• Do you have any tips you shared with your students about performing at the coffee shop since people will be eating and talking while they play?

  You may want to have them practice playing while you move around the studio and even talk. Let them perform with some distractions.

  Most don't seem to mind the chatter because it takes the pressure off. When it's too quiet, it can be intimidating.

  I keep it really informal. Many go up and play again because they find it fun in this non-threatening setting.

Let me know if you have more questions!