- contributed by Ryan Cullen
We're so excited to be seeing all of you on stage soon! Here are a few things to know as you are preparing for our Summer Concerts!
Our programs begin on time! Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your assigned recital time. Dancers, please plan to arrive 30 minutes before your recital time.
When you arrive, you’ll stop at the front table to present your tickets (student performers do not need a ticket). Tickets are only sold through EventBrite. To purchase, go to events.laapa.com
Drummers — just bring your sticks! We will have a Yamaha acoustic drumset on stage.
We will be providing a Fender guitar amp and Bass pedal for the stage as well as direct boxes for guitarists — ask your instructor which he/she recommends you use (usually this depends on whether or not you need any effects). You may bring your own amp if you’d prefer. If you plan to bring your own pedals, please arrive early to configure it for a quick setup once it's your turn on stage.
Pianists will be performing on a grand piano similar in feel to the Academy’s grand pianos. If you’ve never played on a grand piano before and would like to try one out, you are welcome to schedule some time in one of our grand piano studios before or after our regular classes.
Vocalists should decide whether or not they wish to hold the microphone or let it rest on a stand — most singers prefer to hold the microphone. (If you would rather the stand — just tell the stage assistant when it’s your turn to perform)! Please also watch Mrs. Carolyn’s video on mic technique and stage presence located at laapa.com/lessons-and-tutorials. - Violinists should practice walking on and off stage in rest position. Ask your instructor to review rest position with you.
All instrumentalists should ensure that a faculty member helps them to tune prior to performing. If you don’t see your teacher tuning your instrument, please ask one of the staff members for assistance.
Dancers at the Mandeville & River Ridge Schools of Music & Dance will have a full dress rehearsal on the Friday before your shows (see your Recital letter for times).
We will be holding 16 recitals this June! Due to the increased number of performances, our buffer times (times between recitals) are tighter than usual, so please keep this in mind when planning to arrive. Arriving 15-20 minutes before your recital time is plenty!
Each recital is scheduled to last approximately 2 hours. An awards ceremony as well as a group photo will follow each performance, so students should plan to remain with us until the end of their recital.
As we are recording all of our programs, we do ask parents/guests bring only children 4 years of age or older (unless they are in the program).
We will be live streaming our music concerts at laapa.com/live. Please understand that our live streams are a best effort and we are subject to the quality of the connection at the venue.
We will be recording each music performance with the latest professional video and audio equipment. If you’d like to reserve a copy of your performance and didn’t already reserve one when signing up for the recital, just go to: laapa.com/get-video.
Awards will be presented to students based on participation in ensembles, original compositions, participation in LAAPAFEST, and years completed at LAAPA. Multi-instrumentalists will be recognized for each instrumental/vocal program shared with us at the concerts. Please understand that while students may have had prior experience with another instructor, his/her award will be based on consecutive time studying at LAAPA. Every student will receive an award and should be proud of his/ her individual achievements.