You know you're preparing a concert when...

A tell-tale sign...

I'm gearing up for the big Battle of the Studios concert this coming Sunday between my studio, The Piano School, and my colleague's, The Boles Studio. The "battle" concept began a few years ago as a way to encourage our students to attend our annual duo piano concert which my friend and I prepare just for them. It's important for students to see their teachers perform. I used to play a piece or two at the conclusion of my studio recitals twice a year, but as my enrollment grew, the recital length was in danger of becoming excessive. This annual concert is my students' opportunity to see their teacher play.

Which brings me to the point of today's post.

You can always tell when I'm preparing for a concert or a studio recital. How?

• The house doesn't look right.
• We're running out of clean clothes.
• The mail is piling up.
• There's a guitar on the dining room table.
• Strange things are displayed on the kitchen counters.
• My manicure is chipped.
• Bad-hair days abound.
• The car is filthy.

I'm not good at compartmentalizing. I generally pour my whole life into big projects and catch up with everything else later. But that's okay. I like having big goals from time to time, as long as they are spread out over the year. It's good for me to practice more. I get so caught up in teaching that without performances on the calendar, I might never do it.

The Command Center

Besides, how can a teacher really get into the head of a student if she's not in touch with her inner practicer? It is through practice and performance that I rekindle, reignite, and reset my desire to improve as a pianist.

The big day is this Sunday! (A housekeeper is coming Saturday. I mean, it's getting crazy over here.)

More information on Battle of the Studios

Battle of the Studios Update

A Sneak Peek at What We're Practicing