The Santa Clara Branch offers several opportunities for students of member teachers to perform, as well as for teachers themselves to perform. The Branch sponsors recitals for students who are playing elementary, intermediate, and advanced level pieces, and the Adult Recital for students who have finished high school and for teachers themselves to play.

Branch Recital Benefits

• Music is meant to be heard. The recitals give the students a sense that music is not about achieving or winning, it is about bringing art to life and sharing it with others.
• If your studio is small, the Branch recitals give your students the opportunity to play in a larger program.
• The Branch recitals give students a chance to hear music performed by their peers, and they gain a better awareness of the variety of music available for them to play.
• The more often students play, the more confident and competent they become in performance.

FAQ

Which Recital is Appropriate for My Student?

Student Recitals are for students in elementary through high school. The Student Recitals are formal – students are expected to dress appropriately, observe proper etiquette when performing and when listening to others perform. The recitals are held in a performance hall. The fee is commensurate with the formality of the recital, although the cost of conducting the recitals is subsidized by the Branch to keep the fee reasonable. The Student Recitals are an opportunity to have your best performers play in public, and for your students to hear some of the best student performers in the area. Click here to see more about the Student Recitals

Adult Recitals are for students who have finished high school. Performers range in age from 18 to 80 and beyond. Pieces range from late elementary to advanced. The Adult Recitals are informal, often in a home studio, with refreshments after. Performers usually stay after the recital and chat. There is a very supportive atmosphere, sensitive to the particular needs of adult students. Teachers are also welcome to perform on the Adult Recitals, and there will be recitals exclusively for teachers to perform.  Click here to see more about the Adult Recitals

Are the recitals mostly for piano students?

All Branch sponsored recitals are open to students on any instrument, as long as they are students of a member teacher on that instrument. Given our student population, there will always be more piano students involved, but teachers of other instruments and voice are encourages to send their students to perform in these recitals.

Can ensembles play in the recitals?

Yes, as long as they fit on the stage and do not require a lengthy setup time.

How do I enroll my students?

Students are enrolled through this website. Click on the Performance Opportunities tab in the top menu.

Are there other opportunities for students to perform?

Students can participate in the VOCE program, at which they may be selected for performances. Students in the Certificate of Merit program may be selected to play at Branch Honors Recitals, and the MTAC Annual Convention. The Branch sponsors a Concerto and Ensemble Festival. MTAC sponsors a Solo and Concerto Competition, which may lead to performance opportunities.