At CMC, student recitals are more than just performances—they are milestones in a musician’s journey. To learn more about what it means to participate in a CMC recital, we spoke with Ellis Krause, a ukulele student of Erik Pearson, about his experience in CMC’s student recitals.
At just 9 years old, Ellis has participated in about five recitals, including Field Day. While he doesn’t remember much about his first recital, his journey over time has helped him grow as a performer. When we asked him about his preparation for the Winter Recital, Ellis emphasized the importance of practice and rhythm. “I’m preparing by practicing my piece as much as I can and trying to get as much practice time as possible,” he shared. His key advice? “DON’T GO (TOO) FAST! Because that can stress you out a lot.”
For Ellis, the most rewarding part of the recital was the audience’s response. “My favorite part was when the whole audience clapped because it makes me feel very proud that I played and participated,” he said. He also enjoys the act of playing itself. “Playing, for me, is sometimes really relaxing.”
Feeling nervous before a performance is normal, and Ellis has learned to manage it over time. “When I first went on stage, from what I remember, I was probably very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect.” However, with each recital, his confidence has grown. One of his biggest lessons was to keep playing even if the audience claps before the piece is over. “One time, the audience started clapping before the song was finished, and I started crying and felt like running off the stage. But now I know it’s better to just keep playing.”
Ellis encourages other students to participate in recitals, even if it seems intimidating at first. “I think playing in a recital is really fun. And sometimes it’s hard to prepare for it.” For those playing string instruments, he suggests: “Loosening or relaxing your fingers—I find that helps a lot.”
How to Participate in a CMC Recital
If Ellis’s experience has inspired you, here’s what you need to know to join a recital at CMC if you’re an active student in the Winter Quarter.
Recital Participation Process
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- Instructors are responsible for registering their students and discussing guidelines.
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- Instructors may register up to four solo performers per recital.
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- Solo performances are limited to three pieces or ten minutes.
Registration Deadlines
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- Registration deadline: February 24 – Instructors must complete the Performance Information Form.
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- Accompanist request deadline: February 24 – Students needing a CMC accompanist must submit a request. If using an external accompanist, they must arrange it themselves and provide the accompanist’s name at registration.
Winter 2025 Recital Schedule
Recitals at the Mission District Branch
Saturday, March 22
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- 2:30 PM – Ensembles
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- 4:00 PM – Solo performers
Saturday, March 29
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- 2:30 PM – Ensembles
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- 4:00 PM – Solo performers
For questions about MDB recitals, contact Chantel Hernandez at chernandez@sfcmc.org.
Recitals at the Richmond District Branch
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- March 23 at 1:00 PM (RDB)
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- March 23 at 3:30 PM (RDB)
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- March 30 at 1:00 PM (RDB)
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- March 30 at 4:00 PM at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 25 Lake Street (Adults-only recital)
For more information, contact Michelle Guilbeault at mguilbeault@sfcmc.org.
CMC recitals provide students with a supportive space to showcase their progress, build confidence, and celebrate music with the community. Whether it’s your first time on stage or your fifth, like Ellis, each recital is a step toward growth and artistic expression. We look forward to seeing you on stage soon!