Tips for Virtual Recital Success 2023

1. Get enough rest the night before your performance (8 hours, please!), and consider an afternoon nap to calm nerves.

2. Eat a good meal before your performance. (A recently full stomach, especially carbohydrates, will help prevent nervous butterflies.)

3. Drink plenty of water (32 ounces or more) to prevent dry-mouth, and have water with you.

4. Dress for success. (Wear something appropriate for nice event which is also comfortable. Layers are always helpful for warmer or cooler spaces.)

5. Think positive thoughts throughout the day and during your performance.

6. Warm up correctly. (Scales, arpeggios, long tones, and slow practice of the technical parts of your piece in two separate sessions of 15 – 30 minutes each are effective. No runs of the whole piece, and no last-minute fast practicing.)

7. For performers with recorded accompaniment tracks:

Have two fully-charged or plugged-in devices, one to play back your accompaniment track at the volume level set with Ms. Goodman in your lessons and one to join the recital Google Meet.

For performers with a collaborative pianist:

Have one fully-charged or plugged-in device to join the recital Google Meet.

8. The device for the Google Meet should be positioned so that, while at your music stand, the audience can see your entire flute and face.

9. Have your instrument(s), music, music stand, and accompaniment track set up and ready to go for pre-tuning and sound check in the recital Google Meet at 6:10 PM on January 17.

10. Once you have pre-tuned and sound checked, mute your microphone, leaving your camera on. You may then set down your instrument and relax to watch the recital.

11. Show your appreciation for each fellow studio member’s performance by unmuting to applaud!

12. Warm your flute or piccolo during the performance before you.

13. Prepare to perform (position yourself at your music stand, cue up your accompaniment track if applicable, take a sip of water, etc.) during the applause for the previous performer.

14. Unmute your microphone as Ms. Goodman introduces you.

15. Tune both octaves with the accompaniment track or your collaborative pianist, and, if using an accompaniment track and you need more time to tune well, pause the track, restarting it to take additional tuning notes. (Ms. Goodman may ask you to take this action, if necessary.)

16. Before you begin your piece, think through a few bars first, take a deep breath, and press play.

17. Think positive thoughts, and no matter what, keep going!

18. After your piece, step to the side of your music stand and bow from the waist, eyes to the floor, holding your flute in front of you.

19. HAVE FUN!