Presenting Music: Programming, Stagecraft and Recording

The presenting component asks you to share performance and creating with an audience. Presenting well involves more than playing the notes: it includes choosing and ordering what to present, managing the practical and technical demands of sharing music, and, where relevant, capturing performance in recordings. This lesson covers how to present music effectively and professionally.

Choosing and programming material

Deciding what to present is itself a creative act. A well-chosen program shows your musicianship to advantage, offers variety and contrast, and hangs together as a coherent whole rather than a random assortment. Consider the range of styles, moods, and tempos, how pieces complement or contrast with one another, and the overall arc from opening to close. Choosing music that suits