Today, I Confess: I Don’t Always Get My Way.
(not that any of us do…)
This week’s podcast episode featured 7 points of criteria I use when choosing repertoire for my recitals.
I’ve got a story about a time I *didn’t* get my way in the recital selection process… but FIRST!
Meet the 2025 Recital Guide. 🤩
Do you have pieces that seem to find their way to your recital programs over and over again?
I’m sharing 36 of mine in the 2025 Recital Guide.
Broken down by seven levels (Pre-Reading through Late-Intermediate), the Guide provides custom descriptions and links for tried-and-true recital rep that is fun to play AND fun to listen to.
…if you’re on the lookout for pieces that sound bigger than they are, feature flashy elements and mature sounds, that are NOT found in traditional method series, the 2025 Recital Guide has your back.
I’m adding some additional resources to The Guide next week, at which time the price will increase. For now, you can get The Guide for just $12.
(yes, you’ll still get access to the bonus material once it drops)
AND NOW: Back to My Confession….
As I said in Episode 209, my non-negotiable for recital selections is this: the student must WANT to play it.
Springtime brings with it a host of activities, and a recital is just too overwhelming if students are not genuinely excited about their repertoire.
…as I also said, I feel like I’m pretty great at steering students in the right direction. I spend a lot of time planning their repertoire, so their choices have already been run through the Christina Whitlock Filter anyway.
Well, except for once.
Years ago, for her first recital, my daughter declared with GREAT CERTAINTY that she was going to play the C 5-finger scale for the spring recital. 🤣
Hands alone, then together.
I think it’s because she’s a Piano Teacher Kid and hearing my students play scales every day probably felt “official” to her. Who knows.
I tried EVERYTHING to convince her to play something more engaging, but, in the end, she made her recital debut with the C Major Pentascale.
Hands alone, then together.
And, as you can already guess, everyone loved it. She was proud, she felt supported, and she hasn’t requested to play a scale in the recital since.😂
I say this today to remind you: We all have “ideal” visions for our studios, but at the end of the day, our students’ experience is what matters. HOW THEY FEEL is what matters.
You can’t go wrong with prioritizing that, friends.
🥂 As we head into recital season, may we all keep healthy perspectives on how we are perceived as teachers, and not fall into the trap of obsessing over the wrong things. 🥂
Now: It’s YOUR turn! What’s the most surprising recital selection you’ve seen? Leave your story in the comments below!
More from Christina and Beyond Measure:
👩💻 Group Chat About Rote Teaching!
TOMORROW’S Session of Teachers Teaching Teachers is all about rote teaching.
We’ll be exploring this adorable collection of pieces from Amy Glennon and Piano Safari.
Don’t miss our chat about Friends at Last and rote teaching, in general.
I’ll see you LIVE at 11am eastern time on 03.28, and the replay will hit inboxes later that afternoon.
Entry is just $6 by joining the SuperFriends Community on Patreon.
🎙️ On the Podcast:
Not all pieces make great recital selections.
That’s what we’re talking about in Episode 209!
📘New Offering in the Works!
I met up with my pal Janna (of YouTube stardom) this week and we are hatching a plan for the fall.
As a result of a conversation in Teachers Teaching Teachers earlier this year, we are planning to offer a 10-week cohort for teaching intermediate students, using the second volume of Professional Piano Teaching by Jeanine Jacobson as our foundation.
If you are interested in staying in the loop on that specific offering as it develops, please click here and get yourself on VIP list!
👏 A Favorite Tool
Friendly reminder: The best way to combat students who try to play while you are talking is to give them something ELSE to do with their hands!
Marble Mesh toys are my favorites because they are a QUIET sensory stimulation to help those fidgety students. Find them on my Favorites List.
