Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Same song played twice at recital?

Oh no....Upon review of my students' recital pieces tonight, I realized that 2 of my students chose the same piece. And unfortunately, both have had their lessons this week already and do not have a backup piece.
Has anyone ever had 2 students play the same piece at a recital?

Gisele

It happened one year when my daughter played violin. The teacher asked each of the kids if it would bother them, and neither of them had a problem with it. They were not back to back in the program.

No big deal.

The only problem with this is that the audience will compare the renditions, and the student who doesn't play as well will feel embarrassed and jealous.

That's a worst case scenario, not a necessary outcome. To me, it's more worrisome if the students are a bit more advanced than if they are really young.

Are the students friends?

...which is the one that should always be assumed.

I have 2 students playing the same piece (very newbie beginner students) this week in a recital and I'm not concerned, it will be fine. However, I have 2 other students who are also playing the same piece and they are friends and a bit competitive. In that situation, I put them in separate recitals.

I'm sure those students could flip a coin and the loser could play another selection. Certainly they must each have another finished piece after a year of study. I think it's a bad idea to have two students playing the same composition.(Unless they are young kids playing dorky 8-bar rote pieces that they both play well.)

Ahem...

Not really... Unless one loves negative outcomes! (not aimed at you, just in case... a light joke)...

It's happened to many teachers I know here in Greece and it's not a huge deal really. I mean especially during Xmas, everyone goes for the well know works, so it's bound to happen. No biggie.

just let them know, or have a 'practice session' with them, in order for them to really understand they have the same piece and to get used to the idea. And of course don't have them back to back...

This happens quite frequently in Suzuki studios, since the repertoire is severely limited.

I presume you never drive a car ...

I once played the same piece as someone else in a recital. I was co-hosting, and of course I ended up having to announce the guy who was playing the same piece... I jokingly told the audience that I'd hand out pieces of paper, and they could compare, and by the end of the evening we'd pick a winner.

...And had a huge black-out which lasted the majority of the piece.

There's always a back-up piece to play, even if a teacher thinks otherwise.

It's not a big deal. Separate them in the program.

One of my mentors studied with Carl Friedburg in New York. One one occasion he heard a Bach Toccata being played in the practice room by another student of Mr. Friedburg's. The two of them played for each other. When my mentor went to his next lesson, he said, "Mr. Friedburg, Susan is also playing this piece and she plays it quite differently!" Mr. Friedburg's reply: "I know! Isnt' that wonderful?"

If it can be avoided and another student has something else they can do, I would ask them what they'd like to do. Let the students decide what they're OK with. Be sure to have them play a different parts of the recital so as to avoid too much comparison.

Or if they both have another piece they could do, have them both do that and one can play the RH for the piece in common while the other plays the LH as a duet!

During the holidays, it's difficult to avoid, especially since I often have beginning students on the same level. However, at my upcoming recital, two students will be playing the same piece (although they will also play another additional, different piece as well). The reason -- they love the piece, and play it very well. If one student was not playing the piece as well as the other, I would substitute. I think it's important for me to plan my recital program at least a month in advance to avoid repetitive pieces at my recitals.

I wouldn't worry about it. Last year, in my recital of 46 kids, I had 7 kids play the same piece. It's not a big deal.

If that's what will get them up there playing confidently in front of people, who cares?

My last recital I, too, accidentally scheduled 2 kids to play the same piece. I realized it a couple of weeks prior to the recital. The 6 year old wanted to keep the piece. I then let the 8 year old know that a 6 year old would be playing the same piece, and he gladly picked a different one.