A child’s first dance concert is such a special milestone, a memory that will stay with them and you for a lifetime. Sometimes it’s not even the dancing we remember but the nerves that were overcome, the tantrums, the funny little mishaps that aren’t funny at the time and the adorable things that happen on stage that were definitely not choreographed into the dance!
As special as they are, first concerts and concerts, in general, can be daunting. Not just for our performers but for the parents, carers and organisers too. Here are a few tips for your first concert.
- BE ON TOP OF ALL THE INFO:
Newsletters and emails are sent out well in advance of the concert dates. They are jam-packed with info, including what time the students need to be there, what uniform is required, ticket sales information and more. In order for your child to have a positive experience, the grown-ups need to be all over the concert day requirements. Arriving late or without the correct attire can be very stressful for our performers who are already nervous to get on stage! Have uniforms ready, bags packed, tickets printed, hair styling and makeup tools prepared and alarms set the day before the show, to ensure your concert day runs smoothly. - ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO DO AS MUCH PREPARATION FOR THEMSELF AS POSSIBLE:
This means attending class, being focused and taking on board the teacher’s corrections and choreography, practising at home and putting in the effort to ensure they feel confident and ready to take to the stage. MSF is a recreational school but we still encourage our dancers to put their best foot forward, be team players and give it 100 per cent. We want all students to walk off stage with their heads held high but to do that, they need to be able to walk on stage knowing they have already given their best efforts for a successful performance. - ASK QUESTIONS:
If you’re not sure about something, just ask! We always do our best to provide all the information possible to our dance families but, we also acknowledge that this concert is the first time for the majority of our school and for the rest, it is their first in a long time. If you need to clarify anything, please don’t hesitate to contact us. HOT TIP: Please don’t leave your questions to the last minute. Phones and emails will not be answered the night before or the day of the concert as we will be busy setting up, preparing and settling your children. Organisation is key. - ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A BIG DEAL BUT STAY POSITIVE:
You might be a little stressed or overwhelmed, this energy is contagious so try to stay positive around your performer. Remind them that it is ok, and perfectly normal, to feel nervous about performing, in fact, it shows that dance is important to them. Encourage your dancer to do their very best but reassure them that it is not a big deal if they make a mistake on stage. Affirm with them that it takes a special and brave person to perform in front of an audience and tell them how excited you are to see them on stage and how proud of them you already are. Make sure they know that you will be in the audience cheering them on and that the other seats will be filled by other supportive parents, carers and family members. - CONGRATULATE THEM!
After the show, build your dancer up with glowing praise. Don’t critique their performance, let’s leave that to the professionals. Your dancer is “The Star” of the show and should be treated as such. Honour this moment with photos, hugs, telling them what your favourite part was and a special gift for your star. Flowers, chocolates and teddy bears are traditional concert day gifts in our family and we often celebrate that night with a big family dinner!
It is our aim at Main St Funk to ensure that every performance day is a positive experience for each of our students. But, to do that, it takes a village. The MSF Team, the dance teachers, the parents and carers AND the students themselves all have a responsibility and a part to play in ensuring each concert day is a roaring success.
To view the latest concert newsletter, click here: https://mainstfunk.com/2022/05/09/mid-year-dance-concert-info/
