My piano teacher has a fall and spring recital featuring the skills of her beginning students to her graduating high school seniors. It is always worth attending.
It’s been held in various venues over the years, but today’s recital was at the Hanson Theatre at Lake Michigan College, a smaller cousin to the larger Mendel Center there.
The Hanson Theatre is the perfect venue for this event. It’s small and intimate; there isn’t a bad seat; and the acoustics are pleasing. And, because it’s a professional stage, instead of a local school auditorium, the students always rise to the occasion.
I don’t mean in terms of their playing; that’s a given particularly because their piano teacher is so good at what she does. She customizes her teaching for each student depending on the age, skill level, and musical curiosity.
But what the Hanson adds could be described as “demeanor.” Most of the girls wore dresses this afternoon; the boys showed up in pants, although the occasional high schooler didn’t get past jeans. However, one young man wore a dress shirt and bow tie. The atmosphere is one of solemnity befitting Carnegie Hall.
As a piano student who began her studies in middle age, I am always impressed with how easy the younger students make it look. Middle school pupils and high schoolers attacked the works of Chopin, Bach, Grieg, and others with a confidence that I’ve yet to acquire. It’s compounded by the fact that not one of the performers was born when I started lessons 21 years ago.
Leave a Reply