In a multiple student recital, do the worst players perform first?

Question

I'm wondering whether the worst musicians in a recital are ordered to go first and the best are for last? Is this according to common etiquette? If not, can you tell me how the programs are put together (not based on age though)? I play piano and my teacher told me in advance that I'd go first, my mom asked if it was because I was the worst player, and of course my teacher denied it saying it was because I had such a good Beethoven sonata chord to open with. (Opus.10 Nr.1) Was she just saying that? Was she telling the truth?

Answer 1

I know that, in theater, the key is to engage the audience right away, because if you don't get their attention immediately after the curtain opens, it's almost impossible to regain it.  The same thing applies to music.  I think that piece of music is very engaging and she wants to open up the recital with a bang so the audience doesn't go to sleep.  Practice, practice, practice and you can't go wrong!

Answer 2

none of the reccitals i have been in have ever been ordered like that.  it's been pretty random...i wouldn't put any thought into it.  just relax and concentrate on your performance!

Answer 3

Not the recitals I've been to. Sometimes the younger kids will perform first, since they get tired and might get fidgety if they had to wait through many performances. Often the teacher will choose the music that transitions well from one to the other, (like when you're doing a mix on your ipod), so ability levels might be all mixed up. Or there might be themes the teacher is sticking to, so music in a certain theme goes with other music in that theme. Maybe the teacher always does pieces in a certain order. Parents may have plans and need their kid to perform at a certain time, so that determines the order. Often the teacher wants someone really good to open the show to get the audiences attention. That's what they tend to do at my son's school.

Answer 4

At the ones I used to be in, it was a mix of experienced players and newer players.  There didn't seem to be a particular order at all.  Now, in dance recitals they usually put the younger kids first and gradually get to more advanced classes.  Maybe sneaking in some advanced dancers in between the other ones.  Or they'll group them by types of music/dance.  Maybe that's what she's doing.  There's a lot of pressure going first- maybe she thought you could handle it.  Either way- just practice hard and show her what you've got!