50 Ideas to Have the Best Christmas Piano Recital Ever in 2023

 

Christmas piano recitals are my absolute favorite–especially because I treat it more like a Christmas piano party than recital. 

Yes, there is a difference!

For me, Christmas piano parties are a time for my piano kids to get together, play games, get to know each other better, and have fun.

There is nothing wrong with having more professional recitals, but if you want to transform your Christmas piano recital into a fun party, here are fifty ideas you can mix and match to create an experience your piano kids will talk about for years.

And before you start putting things on your already full to-do list, remember that you can get your piano students and their families to help you out (or you can hire one of your crafty piano teens).

 

Repertoire for your Christmas Piano Recital

 

father and daughter practicing for christmas piano recital

 

The very first step in planning for the best Christmas piano recital ever is to consider the repertoire.

Especially if you don’t want ten students playing similar versions of “Jingle Bells!”

Instead of giving you specific sheet music to look up, here are ideas so you can pick the best fit for your students.

1) Duets

2) Ensembles

3) Traditional carols

4) Modern Christmas songs

5) Movie soundtracks (either Christmas or winter)

6) Lead sheets

7) Traditional carols arranged in modern styles

8) Get a set of jingle bells to add to any arrangement

 

Keep exploring and try out new composers and arrangers each year. 

Here are some arrangers we like:

9) Susan Staples Bell

10) Jennifer Eklund

11) Elizabeth Swift

12) Amanda Tero

13) Daniel McFarlane

14) David Nevue

15) Wendy Stevens

16) Andrea Dow (such as Fa La La late for Christmas)

17) Chrissy Ricker

 

Another way to ensure a variety of Christmas repertoire is to print off a list of Christmas songs and have your students pick random titles from the list.

If they don’t know a song, it can be a great time to teach them a fun, new (or old) Christmas tune!

Here is a list of 200 Christmas songs to get you started.

 

Decorating for Christmas Piano Recitals

The benefit of having a Christmas piano recital is that most venues are already seasonally decorated!

But if you want to add an extra special musical touch, a piece of sheet music will go a long way!

18) Cut sheet music into stars

Sheet music stars

 

19) Cut sheet music into triangles for trees

Sheet music christmas trees

 

20) Cut sheet music into triangles for bunting

sheet music triangle bunting

 

21) Cut sheet music into banner for bunting

sheet music banner bunting

 

22) Roll sheet music and put in Mason jars for centerpieces

sheet music rolls in mason jar with other christmas decor

 

23) Use music ribbon as streamers or other decorative touches

Use sheet music cutouts on the walls or on tables to add a quick, musical touch.

Here is a place where you can get free vintage Christmas sheet music to print and use.

 

 

Planning treats for your Christmas Piano Recital

 

gingerbread cookie snacks for the best christmas recital ever

 

Christmas treats are the most delicious parts of the season!

In addition to having traditional Christmas goodies, transform them to be musical with a few simple touches.

24) Pipe notes & clefs on plain sugar cookies

25) Add music toppers to plain cupcakes

26) Make or buy musical cupcake liners (Make: print sheet music and use this cupcake paper template; Buy: Music Notes Cupcake Liners on Etsy)

27) KitKat piano keyboard

28) Create a grand piano: Chocolate cupcakes in the shape of a grand piano with KitKat keys

29) Place veggies in the shape of a note for a veggie tray

Don’t forget to consider your piano kids with food allergies & sensitivities.

There are many allergen-friendly options available that will help all your piano students be included (for example, find gluten free cupcakes or cookies to add your musical touch to).

 

Attire for your Christmas Piano Recital

 

little boy in christmas sweater smiling

 

My students always had fun dressing Christmassy for our Christmas piano recitals, as I’m sure yours do.

You can do either themed Christmas piano recitals or just general “wear something Christmassy” recitals.

Here are some ideas you can discuss with your students:

30) Ugly sweaters

31) Red & green

32) Old fashioned Christmas (think Dickens)

33) Snowmen & snowflakes

34) Lumberjack Christmas (plaid)

35) Christmas trees

36) Casual Christmas (jeans with Christmas sweatshirts)

37) Dressy Christmas (think glittery dresses and bowties)

38) Christmas pajamas

Of course, you’ll want to take a seasonal photograph of your entire studio.

And if you want to add even more fun to the dress-up part, have scoring cards where you or the other students “grade” each other on how Christmassy each student looks (or have an “ugly sweater contest” where the winner gets a $20 gift card).

 

Gifts & goodies for your Christmas Piano Recital

 

christmas decorations

 

You can do easy & affordable Christmas gifts for your piano students.

39) Wrap Hershey’s minis in sheet music

40) Music pencils

41) Christmas music ornaments

42) Music bookmark

43) Treble clef candy canes (glue a pipe cleaner to complete the treble clef)

Some of these, you can buy in bulk from your favorite retailer.

Others, you can make if you like arts & crafts.

 

Games & Activities for your Christmas Piano Recital

 

young boy celebrating with confetti

 

What’s a party without some games?

In addition to celebrating with fun Christmas music, have musical Christmas games.

44) I Have… Who Has? (Christmas Music Symbols or Winter Key Signatures)

45) Guess the Christmas song (play two or three notes and see who can guess it first)

46) Musical chairs–Christmas edition

47) Holiday Rhythm Cups

48) Paper plate snowmen (Divide students into teams of 3. Assign each team a time signature. Each student must write one measure for their snowman part, put the three snowmen parts together, then clap the snowman.)

If you want to get really into the Christmas spirit, have a Christmas music craft station for your piano kids.

49) Make musical Christmas ornaments (cut printed sheet music into stars, Christmas trees, stockings, and ornaments then add a ribbon)

50) Make Sheet music Christmas trees

Bonus: 51) Make musical Christmas cards

 

View our Christmas Piano Recital board on Pinterest

For even more ideas and pictures, view our Christmas Piano Recital board on Pinterest.

 

 

What Christmas piano recital ideas do you have?

What was the most fun you and your kids had for a Christmas piano recital?

Or what new ideas are you hoping to try this year?

Comment and add to our list!

 

Need more teaching ideas?

 

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50 Ideas to Have the Best Christmas Piano Recital Ever in 2022

 

 

 

 

Written by Amanda Tero Matthews

Music has always been a part of Amanda's life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She's been equally passionate about music and writing her entire life and enjoys finding creative solutions to complex problems. She's taught piano and violin since she was sixteen and specializes in hymn improvisation and arranging. She received her bachelor’s in piano performance from William Carey University.

November 10, 2023

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