As the school year winds down, excitement is building for one of the most anticipated events in your child’s music education journey — the year-end band or choir performance! Whether it’s their first time on stage or they’re seasoned performers, preparing well is key to a fun, successful, and confidence-building experience. Here's how parents and students can work together to ensure the big night hits all the right notes.
1. Practice with Purpose
Consistency is more important than cramming. Encourage your child to:
Practice 15–30 minutes daily.
Break difficult passages into smaller sections.
Use a metronome to stay on beat (try this free one).
If they’re in a choir, vocal warm-ups are essential. Check out this 10 minute vocal warm up video on YouTube.
2. Rehearse Performance Basics
Performance isn’t just about the music — stage presence matters too! Remind your child to:
Stand or sit with good posture.
Smile and stay engaged, even during pauses.
Stay quiet and focused between songs.
Tip: Hold a “mock concert” at home to help them feel more comfortable in front of an audience.
3. Take Care of Instruments and Voices
Before the big day:
Brass and woodwind players should clean and check their instruments.
String players should have strings tuned and bows tightened.
Singers should avoid shouting or whispering excessively and drink plenty of water.
Here’s a helpful guide on instrument care for beginners.
4. Stay Organized
Mark the concert date, time, and location on the family calendar. Double-check:
Dress code (black and white? uniform?).
Call time (when students must arrive).
What to bring (sheet music, instrument, etc.).
Some schools share info through platforms like Charms Office, a tool many music programs use to manage events and communication.
5. Encourage Without Pressure
Support your child emotionally:
Remind them that mistakes are normal and part of learning.
Celebrate effort over perfection.
Be a positive audience member — your presence and applause mean everything!
Enjoy the Moment!
These performances are not just about music. They’re about teamwork, growth, and pride in hard work. Snap a few pictures, cheer loudly, and let your child know how proud you are.
If you’d like extra help preparing at home, check out these additional resources:
MusicTheory.net – interactive tools to reinforce music reading.
Sight Reading Factory – excellent for developing confident sight reading skills.
From all of us at AWSOM, we can’t wait to see (and hear!) your children shine. Let the countdown to the big show begin!