As a creative person, I do enjoy making an attractive product like a recital program, but sometimes they are a pain. Below you will find a link to purchase some I have created, if you do not want to go through the hassle of making and formatting your own. Right now I have Christmas Lights and Holly Berries. I am considering making a wintery one with snowflakes, so if you are interested in that one please comment below (so I am not wasting time making something nobody wants!) and let me know if you want a half page or a 2 page.

Tips for lovely recital programs:

1. Keep it Simple. Your program really only needs some sort of outline, maybe a festive image or two (clipart is good for that) to frame the important information. Clutter is distracting from both the performance and the information.
2. Write Minimally. All that’s really necessary to include in the program is the title of the recital, date, location, and then the names of the students along with their piece titles, and their instrument. Any other information like “Thank you for coming!” can be stated in your introduction at the recital. If you want to include a website link, make it small across the bottom. You can see how I organize my student’s names in the samples below.
3. Make it Pretty. The program will be a keepsake for many students, and I personally prefer it to handing out certificates. (I give them commemorative buttons instead of trophies or whatever.) The program should have color representative of whatever season or theme the recital reflects.
4. Small is Ok. It’s just fine to use a half sheet recital program. It is, in some ways, easier for a parent to store these in a shoe box, and cuts down on costs for you. Simply print the front at home, flip it and put it back into your printer so it prints on the other side, cut it, and you’re done! (Test this before doing the whole batch!)
5. Charge a Fee. Some teachers charge a small recital fee, $5 or less per family, to assist with printing and the coffee you’ll need to keep the creative juices flowing.
6. Optional. You could also include age, grade, number of years playing, how many recitals performed, etc. I have two students performing on their birthday this year and I put a cute little Christmas light bulb next to their name.
7. My Recital Programs. Here are the programs I created.
   • Half-Sheet Christmas Lights: version 1, version 2
   • 2-Page Christmas Lights: version 1, version 2
   • Half-Sheet Holly Berries