My most favorite performances that I have attended over the years have been where the performer has been interacting with the audience or there something is happening where the audience is being engaged.

I’m going to be totally blunt for a minute, I can’t stand concerts where there is no engagement with the audience. I’ve attended way too many concerts where there might be an initial introduction to the audience and then it’s just the music. You might be saying to yourself, well isn’t the music why you are there? Yes, but…

Have you ever heard the story of why Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 in G Major is nicknamed, “Surprise Symphony”? It is said that Haydn, the jokester that he was, thought it would be funny to “wake” up the audience who started snoozing during the concert so he added an element of surprise!

Do you understand a little bit more now? Sometimes we need something to keep our audience awake and engaged throughout the performances. And the last thing we want them to do is be surfing on their phones.

In this teaching tip that I am going to share with you, I have put a creative spin on performance introductions. It is something that happens throughout the entire recital keeping the audience engaged. You may think it is a little corny, but once you try it, you may never go back. I know I haven’t…

By the way, I looked out at my audience many times throughout my most recent spring recital and I never once spotted someone surfing their phone. They actually looked engaged!

Interested in my yearly themed practice incentive programs? You can find them here!