Uploaded May 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
If you know a person who is preparing a musical recital right now. SEND THIS TO THEM!
I remember when I first started the recital process and I took to it like a fish to water. I loved every part of it, except for the scary jitters before.
I wanted to give a video that outlines what I believe is important in the recital (and/or jury) process. This is totally targeted at college kids, but it can extend to anyone trying to create a musical body of work in a recital format.
Intro
00:00-1:12
Overview of Topics
1:12
Intro to "Culutivate" (Cultivate) Multiple Musical Colors
1:32-2:37
Tip #1 | Cultivate Multiple Musical Colors
2:37-2:47, 6:03-9:31
Tip #2 | Unlock the Storytelling Potential in Program Notes
2:47-5:08, 9:39-9:52, 11:02-11:16, 11:34-11:44
Tip # 3 | Tie all your music together with a synergistic theme
5:08-5:59 , 9:37-9:39, 11:47-12:59
BONUS Tip | Translations for Foreign Language Music
9:56
Summary of ALL Tips
12:59
BONUS Tip | Recital Posters
13:32
Conclusion
16:54
I sincerely hope you enjoy the work I put into this video. Thank you for watching and while you’re at it—go watch my graduate recital here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMK3T196aWZeW08Iz_SZD2Ljow2aWxx8z
Here is the full recital program and notes for reference:
Arrière Maurice Ravel
Il pleure dans mon coeur Claude Debussy
Pantomime
Frühlingstraum Franz Schubert 6:54-7:42
Der Leiermann
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Quatro Madrigales Amatorios Joaquìn Rodrigo 7:43-7:52
I. ¿Con qué la lavaré?
II. Vos me matásteis
III. ¿De dónde venís, amore?
IV. De los álamos vengo, madre
I Hate Music! Leonard Bernstein
I. My name is Barbara
II. Jupiter Has Seven Moons
III. I Hate Music!
IV. A Big Indian and a Little Indian
V. I’m a person, too
A Word on my Ear Michael Flanders and Donald Swann
A Guide to Charissa Memrick’s Graduate Recital
(Formally known as Program Notes)
WHIMSY AND PASSION
The first set is full of Ravel and Debussy’s famous musical landscapes. The set begins with a fiery aria from Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les Sortileges, then moves on to one of Debussy’s art songs that describes deep melancholy and ends with a delightful piece that introduces some of the whacky characters from the Commedia Dell’arte period. During the song “Pantomime” you will see a blushing ingénue, harlequin and other eccentric personalities.
This set is dedicated to my father. Despite how “inaccessible” the music I study is, you are always curious and supportive of my musical exploration and discoveries. Thank you for listening to my music history projects, asking informed questions about my music and reading the novel based on the opera I performed in.
SCHUBERTIADE
The next set is a Schubertiade; a type of musical gathering that enjoyed popularity in the mid to late 1800’s. The composer best known for these intimate musical gatherings was none other than Franz Schubert. The first piece is from his song cycle Winterreise. Frühlingstraum, or Spring Dream, juxtaposes a beautiful dream to the horror of the character’s reality, Der Leiermann is an eerie vignette of a pitiful hurdy-gurdy grinder on the side of the road. The third piece is one of Schubert’s most famous pieces. Gretchen am Spinnrade features a distraught Margarite pining for Faust’s magical irresistibility despite her strict virtue.
CUATRO MADRIGALES AMATORIOS BY JOAQUIN RODRIGO
This song cycle is a baroque inspired composition created in 1948 by Joaquin Rodrigo. I chose this cycle for the beautiful musical lines, the intense emotion and the incredibly beautiful piano accompaniment. This cycle is dedicated to my voice teacher, Cheryl Parrish. Ms. Parrish has taught me to be an informed singer and human being. She strives to give her students life lessons that are just as valuable as the vocal technique she imparts on to us. Thank you for every learning opportunity you have given me in this short two years.
You will forever be very dear to me.
I HATE MUSIC! BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN
One of my favorite composers, Leonard Bernstein composed this piece. This short cycle is a collection of experiences from the point of view of an insightful and curious 10-year-old girl named Barbara. This unique composition is dedicated to one of my dearest friends, Bob Jarvis. Thank you for accepting me, supporting my endeavors, meeting my curiosity with reason, being a fellow music lover and always embracing your inner child. You will always have a special place in my heart.
A WORD ON MY EAR BY FLANDERS AND SWANN
This piece is dedicated to my mother. Her constant dedication and interest in my musical career has led me to where I am today. I would not be here without her constant help. Her support for vocal lessons ensured that I would not indeed be…tone deaf.
If you know a person who is preparing a musical recital right now. SEND THIS TO THEM!
I remember when I first started the recital process and I took to it like a fish to water. I loved every part of it, except for the scary jitters before.
I wanted to give a video that outlines what I believe is important in the recital (and/or jury) process. This is totally targeted at college kids, but it can extend to anyone trying to create a musical body of work in a recital format.
Intro
00:00-1:12
Overview of Topics
1:12
Intro to "Culutivate" (Cultivate) Multiple Musical Colors
1:32-2:37
Tip #1 | Cultivate Multiple Musical Colors
2:37-2:47, 6:03-9:31
Tip #2 | Unlock the Storytelling Potential in Program Notes
2:47-5:08, 9:39-9:52, 11:02-11:16, 11:34-11:44
Tip # 3 | Tie all your music together with a synergistic theme
5:08-5:59 , 9:37-9:39, 11:47-12:59
BONUS Tip | Translations for Foreign Language Music
9:56
Summary of ALL Tips
12:59
BONUS Tip | Recital Posters
13:32
Conclusion
16:54
I sincerely hope you enjoy the work I put into this video. Thank you for watching and while you’re at it—go watch my graduate recital here:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMK3T196aWZeW08Iz_SZD2Ljow2aWxx8z
Here is the full recital program and notes for reference:
Arrière Maurice Ravel
Il pleure dans mon coeur Claude Debussy
Pantomime
Frühlingstraum Franz Schubert 6:54-7:42
Der Leiermann
Gretchen am Spinnrade
Quatro Madrigales Amatorios Joaquìn Rodrigo 7:43-7:52
I. ¿Con qué la lavaré?
II. Vos me matásteis
III. ¿De dónde venís, amore?
IV. De los álamos vengo, madre
I Hate Music! Leonard Bernstein
I. My name is Barbara
II. Jupiter Has Seven Moons
III. I Hate Music!
IV. A Big Indian and a Little Indian
V. I’m a person, too
A Word on my Ear Michael Flanders and Donald Swann
A Guide to Charissa Memrick’s Graduate Recital
(Formally known as Program Notes)
WHIMSY AND PASSION
The first set is full of Ravel and Debussy’s famous musical landscapes. The set begins with a fiery aria from Ravel’s opera L’Enfant et les Sortileges, then moves on to one of Debussy’s art songs that describes deep melancholy and ends with a delightful piece that introduces some of the whacky characters from the Commedia Dell’arte period. During the song “Pantomime” you will see a blushing ingénue, harlequin and other eccentric personalities.
This set is dedicated to my father. Despite how “inaccessible” the music I study is, you are always curious and supportive of my musical exploration and discoveries. Thank you for listening to my music history projects, asking informed questions about my music and reading the novel based on the opera I performed in.
SCHUBERTIADE
The next set is a Schubertiade; a type of musical gathering that enjoyed popularity in the mid to late 1800’s. The composer best known for these intimate musical gatherings was none other than Franz Schubert. The first piece is from his song cycle Winterreise. Frühlingstraum, or Spring Dream, juxtaposes a beautiful dream to the horror of the character’s reality, Der Leiermann is an eerie vignette of a pitiful hurdy-gurdy grinder on the side of the road. The third piece is one of Schubert’s most famous pieces. Gretchen am Spinnrade features a distraught Margarite pining for Faust’s magical irresistibility despite her strict virtue.
CUATRO MADRIGALES AMATORIOS BY JOAQUIN RODRIGO
This song cycle is a baroque inspired composition created in 1948 by Joaquin Rodrigo. I chose this cycle for the beautiful musical lines, the intense emotion and the incredibly beautiful piano accompaniment. This cycle is dedicated to my voice teacher, Cheryl Parrish. Ms. Parrish has taught me to be an informed singer and human being. She strives to give her students life lessons that are just as valuable as the vocal technique she imparts on to us. Thank you for every learning opportunity you have given me in this short two years.
You will forever be very dear to me.
I HATE MUSIC! BY LEONARD BERNSTEIN
One of my favorite composers, Leonard Bernstein composed this piece. This short cycle is a collection of experiences from the point of view of an insightful and curious 10-year-old girl named Barbara. This unique composition is dedicated to one of my dearest friends, Bob Jarvis. Thank you for accepting me, supporting my endeavors, meeting my curiosity with reason, being a fellow music lover and always embracing your inner child. You will always have a special place in my heart.
A WORD ON MY EAR BY FLANDERS AND SWANN
This piece is dedicated to my mother. Her constant dedication and interest in my musical career has led me to where I am today. I would not be here without her constant help. Her support for vocal lessons ensured that I would not indeed be…tone deaf.
