Programming a concert is like planning a multi-course meal. Each piece on the program plays an important role in keeping your audience engaged from beginning to end. A successful concert program balances energy, variety, and flow, creating an experience that connects with your audience and highlights your strengths as a performer.

Understanding Your Goals

Whether you’re planning a university recital, a professional concert, a community event, or even an album, you need to consider your purpose. Is the program fulfilling specific academic requirements? Are you showcasing a theme or a specific repertoire? Or is your goal to entertain and connect with your audience?

For university students, remember that your recital doesn’t need to be your “magnum opus.” It’s not your last chance to play everything you’ve ever wanted. Instead, focus on meeting your recital requirements and choosing pieces you can learn well within the given time frame.

For professionals, the focus shifts to creating a program that captivates an audience from the first note to the final applause. No matter the setting, your program should reflect your personality, skills, and the venue’s atmosphere.

The Importance of Variety

A concert filled with pieces of the same tempo, mood, or energy can become monotonous. Instead, think of your program as a menu:

Appetizer: Start with something light and approachable. This serves as a warm-up for you and your audience. Pieces like Boccherini's Minuet or a Bach Suite work well. If you prefer starting with a sonata, choose something light, such as Mozart, early Beethoven, or Debussy. The first piece shouldn’t demand too much technical effort but should let you adjust to the venue and instrument.

Main Course: Follow the opening with a more substantial piece. This could be a major sonata by Brahms, Franck, or Rachmaninov or any sonata written between 1860 and 1910. This section showcases depth and complexity, providing the emotional core of your program.

Dessert: End with a virtuosic showpiece that leaves the audience thrilled. Pieces by Popper, Servais, Sarasate, or similar composers bring energy and excitement to close the concert on a high note.

Structuring the Program

You don’t have to stick rigidly to the appetizer-main course-dessert formula. For instance, you might choose to end with a substantial work like a sonata instead of a flashy encore. However, aim for a balanced flow. A program that moves from medium energy to slower, more reflective pieces before picking up energy again keeps the audience engaged.

Here’s a simple example of how to structure a program:

1. Opening Piece(s): Medium-energy works to warm up the room (e.g., a Bach Suite or Kreisler’s Liebesfreud).
2. Nostalgic/Reflective Piece: A slower, lyrical work like Fauré’s Élégie to create contrast.
3. Main Course: A major sonata, suite, or concert piece.
4. Virtuoso Finale: A flashy, crowd-pleasing piece.

This approach ensures variety and provides the audience with emotional highs and lows, making the experience memorable.

Engaging the Audience

Successful programming isn’t just about the music; it’s about connecting with the audience. Consider saying a few words before or after each piece to share interesting facts or personal insights. This adds a human touch and helps listeners engage with the music on a deeper level.

For example, explain why you chose a particular piece or share something about the composer. These moments of interaction make your performance feel more personal and approachable.

Practical Considerations

Don’t overlook practical matters when planning your program:

• Time: Ensure your program fits within the allotted time, leaving room for transitions and speaking if necessary.
• Pianist: Consider the difficulty of the piano part and the workload for your accompanist. A heavy program can be taxing for the pianist, so plan accordingly.
• Rehearsal Space: Many musicians don’t have the luxury of practicing in the performance venue more than once. Choose a first piece that allows you to adjust to the acoustics and feel of the space.

Final Thoughts

The most important takeaway is this: your audience is there to support you, so give them an enjoyable and varied experience. Avoid filling the program with only fast, flashy pieces or only slow, serious ones. Strike a balance that keeps everyone interested from start to finish.

Remember, your concert is more than a performance; it’s a chance to connect with listeners and share the joy of music. Thoughtful programming helps ensure that both you and your audience have an unforgettable experience.