All-Studio Recitals 2023-24 ♪ Essential Info for Students and Parents
Our Studio traditions
From 2003 until 2019, we offered an informal small-group recital each December and a formal large-group recital each June. We considered each of these events to be "required" for our youth students. And in addition, we offered an Honors Recital each April. For this event, we invited a limited number of students to participate, based on objective achievement/participation criteria. From March 2020 to June 2022, we were in a constant state of experimentation and reinvention! In the 2022-23 school year, we returned to our old traditions of in-person recitals with festive reception. On this page, we describe all our recital plans for the 2023-24 School Year.
Studio Horowitz Winter Recital 2023 ♪ December 16 2023
NOTE: This information applies to 2023. Information for 2024 will be posted by October 2024.
Who will participate in our Winter Recital?
Participation is strongly encouraged for all youth age 6+ who began lessons in our Studio before August 1, 2023. Students who began lessons after August 1 and/or age 5 may participate with teacher recommendation. Adult students are also welcome.
Eligibility
Students must have had a prior successful performance from memory within the last one year (twelve months). The prior performance piece must be different from the recital piece. Typically, this prior performance would happen in our 2023 Summer Recital or in a spring 2023 or fall 2023 Workshop class.
Repertoire and rehearsal requirements
As in prior years, we will accept any piece or two pieces in any style or arrangement, so long as they are fully completed and memorized. Youth students must perform their recital piece(s) from memory in a prior Workshop class (common) or outside live event (uncommon).
Sign-up and scheduling
We'll schedule short/medium groups of up to 55+/- minutes in length. Students/parents will have the opportunity to request a time that fits your family schedule. We will invite current students to sign up. Schedule details TBD. Note that the event is scheduled for Saturday December 16th and will take place during daytime ours.
Our concept: flexible, festive, informal
It's become our tradition to host our Winter Recital in an "open house" format. We won't have a printed program and the program order is not announced in advance. We do ask our students to dress appropriately for a musical performance. We seek, simply, to gather together to enjoy live music, in person.
Guests
We welcome guests (your families, friends, grandparents, etc).
Reception
We plan to enjoy a cupcake reception throughout the day.
Studio Horowitz Honors Recital 2023-24 ♪ April 13 2024 2:30 PM
NOTE: This info applies to 2024. Information for 2025 will be posted by January 2025.
Our concept
We aim to reward students who are doing exemplary work...just because. Performing in the recital and receiving a certificate of participation are the only rewards.
What is the process for selecting students?
There is no application, no audition, and no fee. We invite students based on the following criteria:
♩performed two+ pieces in two+ workshop classes or outside live events between September and January; OR, performed four+ pieces in live events in the past twelve months
♩intermediate or advanced level
♩nomination by the teacher
Invitations
Students who meet the above selection criteria will be invited by email to participate.
Confirmation
A couple weeks before the recital, we'll check in to make sure that the invited students have a completed and memorized piece ready to share!
Who can attend?
Our 2023-24 Honors Recital will be held in-person at 2:30 PM on April 13 at United Christian Parish Church in Reston. We welcome not just performing students but also parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, and community. Our Honors Recital performances are an example of what is possible with faithful study!
Not selected?
Don't worry! We aim to celebrate the achievement of those students whose effort has resulted in the successful performance of challenging repertoire at a certain point in time. Those not selected far outnumber those who are. Everyone is encouraged to look forward to this event for possible participation in future years..and to discuss with your teacher how this event may fit in with your own learning, progress, and personal goals. And come join us anyway! You'll hear what you'll be playing next year...or the year after that!
Opting out
It is our hope that those students honored with selection will choose to attend because they value the reward: participation in a very special and relatively short recital! If this reward is not motivating to you, you may decline to participate.
Studio Horowitz Summer Recital 2024
We returned to our tradition of holding a large-group formal Summer Recital in 2023 and we plan for the same in 2024.
Dates and details
Saturday June 8 2024 during the daytime at Cherrydale United Methodist Church. Times/groups will be based on student sign-ups.
Who will participate in our summer recital?
Participation is strongly encouraged for all youth age 6+ who began lessons in our Studio before January 1, 2024. Students who began lessons after January 1 and/or age 5 may participate with teacher's recommendation.
Eligibility
Students must have had at least one previous live performance, from memory, during the current school year. Most commonly, this would be at our Winter Recital or in a Workshop class. The previously-performed piece must be different from the summer recital piece(s).
Repertoire
We will program only pieces in original form. That is, pieces originally composed for piano solo.* Students may play any one or any two pieces, so long as they are fully completed and memorized. All repertoire will be supplied and approved by the teacher. Duets and chamber music are also welcome; memory optional for duets. Adults age 19+ are welcome; memory optional for adults. *For more details on suitable/acceptable repertoire, please contact your teacher or Mr. Horowitz.
Rehearsals
Participating students must play their Summer Recital piece(s) from memory in a prior Workshop class or in a special rehearsal or in an outside event (uncommon). The last workshop classes take place in mid-May. Special rehearsals will take place at the Studio (the weekend of June 1).
Sign-up
Our 2024 Summer Recital will be scheduled on an opt-in basis. Students/parents must sign up to participate (deadline May 19). We will send an invitation to sign-up to all eligible students. There is no fee; recitals are included with your regular tuition.
Guests
Our Summer Recital is a festive and fun celebration of our students' learning and achievement. You won't regret inviting guests. We warmly welcome non-performing students, siblings, parents, grandparents, and friends to join us.
Reception and health/safety plans
We plan pot-luck deserts buffet in the parlor after each recital group. More info will be sent to participating students.