Concert & Recital Planning

Preparing for a concert or recital can be an arduous task. There's so much to do and preparing music is only part of the process. While some of the following information is specific to performing at the School of Music, the process will certainly help you develop your concert planning skills for performances beyond Ithaca College.

If you are interested in having a recital or your major requires you to do so, please refer to this site for all the information you may need. If you have not scheduled your recital, please refer to Scheduling Your Recital.

Planning for Your Concert or Recital

Your recital is an important part of your experience at Ithaca College. It's not only important to you, but to all of us on the concert production staff. Preparing for your recital is your responsibility, but we are here to help. So please help us serve you by using this information to prepare for your recital.

In the weeks leading up to your performance, you will need to provide information in these categories:

1. DRESS REHEARSAL

Pianists may book 3 hours, percussionists 2.5 hours, and all others 2 hours. Your allotted time does not have to be used up all at once; you may split the time into smaller blocks (with a 1-hour minimum per block).  Since the Whalen Center is an extremely busy place, book your dress rehearsal as soon as you possibly can.  It is now required that book your dress rehearsal 3 weeks in advance.  After that, lower-priority activities could be scheduled, making your dress rehearsal harder to book.  It is also recommended that you schedule your dress rehearsal in person.

The piano will be opened for your dress rehearsal.  (If you find the piano locked contact Erik Kibelsbeck or the music office during weekday times, or contact the AMP if in the evening or on weekends.   The AMP should be in the third floor lobby or at the repair shop window; look for the cell phone number on their sign if necessary.)

If you use shells in Ford:  For the dress rehearsal, you are responsible for getting them from the Ford Hall stage-left closet, setting them up, AND returning them afterwards. Instructions are on the back.  Stage crew will handle them for the performance.

For scheduling your dress rehearsal, please see Erik Kibelsbeck in 4201. 

 

2. RECEPTION

When booking your Dress Rehearsal, you can also book a reception space, if desired. The spaces available for receptions are: The Friends Green Room (adjacent to Hockett), the third floor lobby (by the main music office), or the Husa Gallery by the third floor circle.

Please note: The Friends Green Room (Hockett) is not available as your reception space if there is a recital starting within one hour of your reception. For example, if you have a recital at 2:00PM in Hockett and would like to have your reception at 3PM, you may use the Friends Green Room only if there is not a 4:00PM recital in Hockett.
 
Please note: Ithaca College policy mandates that food served at any reception be prepared in accordance with NYS Health Department guidelines---this means you can have it catered, or bring in from a grocery store or other food provider, but that homemade food may not be served. Reception space is normally reserved one hour prior to your recital start time through 2 hours after your recital start time. On busy days, however, adjustments may have to be made.  

For scheduling your reception, please see Erik Kibelsbeck in 4201. 

 

3. SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS

If you require a harpsichord, organ, or multiple pianos for your recital, you probably provided the information when you scheduled your recital. We need to know whether this instrument will be needed during your dress rehearsal(s) as well, so please mention this when booking your dress rehearsal.

Please refer to our pianos technology website for information on harpsichords, organs, or multiple pianos.

If you have decided to add a piece that requires one of these instruments, please see Erik Kibelsbeck in 4201.  

 

4. CONCERT PROGRAMS

Please see the Concert Program section regarding all issues pertaining to concert programs.

 

5. RECORDING/SOUND SUPPORT

Any and all live sound needs are handled by Recording Services. If you require some type of live sound support during your performance, you must fill out and submit the live sound support form a minimum of two weeks before your concert.  (Using the AV/computer cart for sound will not send the sound to the house speakers without the involvement of recording services.)  Please note that you do not need to fill out any requests to have your recital audio-recorded; all performances at Ithaca College are audio-recorded. To obtain a copy of your recital, visit the recording services page and fill out the appropriate form.  Further instructions are provided there.

For questions or issues regarding live sound needs, please email recserv@ithaca.edu or see Brian Dozoretz in 4106.  

 

6. STAGE SETUP

Every performance hall has at least one grand piano available in addition to chairs and stands. Band shells are only available for recitals and concerts in Ford Hall.

Our halls are built for music performance and therefore do not have theatre lighting. Each hall is capable of a very basic "white wash." We cannot do specials, focus, or isolate lights and sections of the stage.

If your staging/setup needs are anything beyond a basic setup, please download and print the stage diagrams available on this website.  Then, drop off your printed diagrams to Erik Kibelsbeck (JJWCM 4201) two weeks before your recital.  We need to know about special plans to avoid last minute disappointment.  You will have two stage crew, one of whom can turn pages for a pianist if desired.  If your setup or changes require more people, you are welcome to provide volunteers to assist.

If you plan to use any projection, please plan ahead to make sure it works for you. While stage crew will do their best to help, you should not assume they can make untested powerpoints (etc) work at the last moment.

For more information regarding stage setups and crews, please view the stage setup diagrams or stage crew and page turning information available on this website.

The hall becomes "yours" 30 minutes prior to your start time, and someone else may well be scheduled in there 90 minutes after your start time.  Recitals should start within two minutes of the published start time.