Spring Black Tie Recital (Group 2) Ages 14+

It's that time of year again and we are so excited to be hosting another fabulous LJMA Spectacular evening of music!

If you are new to LJMA, welcome! Every semester the students of the Laura Jean Music Academy prepare 1-2 pieces and perform them on the big stage for their parents, friends, and family members. Expectations are high and students are not permitted to perform unless their pieces are performance-ready and approved by their teachers.  We then break for a 30-minute intermission where we are bringing back our beloved Taco Tio, Jose who will be serving large yummy plates of tacos freshly cooked for all at intermission. We have many who travel from all over just to see the show and it has become a firm family favorite.

TICKET OPTIONS

Seating is split into sections: VIP and General.  Each performer is required to purchase a performer ticket to partake. This is priced at $90 per performer. This includes 2 x VIP seats for parents.

VIP seats are guaranteed seating in the first two rows to ensure parents get the best view for filming.

GENERAL seating is priced at $20 for adults and $10 per child aged 6-18.  No children under 6 are permitted to attend.

We were a little cramped last semester but our new venue seats 200 people if we need it so bring as many as you want to the show.

SHOW INFORMATION:

ATTIRE:

Glitzy, glam, black tie - FANCY for all - not just performers, let's make a day of it!  No sneakers, shorts, joggers, sweats - we are talking tie, bow tie, suit, glittery dresses, pants suits, elegant gowns, anything that makes you feel glamorous and fabulous.  Parents who chose to attend in sweats and casual attire last year were given a VERY STERN telling-off by Laura.  It is unfair on the students who put in all the work to impress you for parents and guests not to make the effort to put on a nice outfit. Please support them as it makes them feel special and seen.  Don't want to be dragged into a corner and court-marshaled by Ms Saggers? Slap on a tie.

REFRESHMENTS:

We are bringing back our awesome Taco Tio, Jose who has cooked for us for many years. (they didn't allow it last year in the chosen venue but this venue has a lovely courtyard perfect for outside cooking and mingling.  Jose and his team set up a huge tent and cook fresh tacos, and those who have purchased meal tickets will get a full plate of food including 3-4 tacos (options - chicken, pork, beef, veggies), rice, beans, chips, salsa with horchata to drink or soft drinks.

Meal Tickets cost $20 per ticket and it's a LARGE plate of food.

Refreshments will be served during intermission.

SOUNDCHECK: Recommended for all intermediate and advanced piano students to test out the feel of the piano and to gauge the weight of the keys and pressure for dynamics.  Also recommended for guitarists who are using their own guitar to check their levels.  You are welcome to arrive between 1.30 pm - 2.15 pm.

EVENT TIMELINE:

SOUND CHECK                      1:30 pm  -  2:15 pm  (piano players (intermediate and advanced only) and guitar players (all playing their own guitar)

Arrival:                                         5:15 pm

ACT 1:                                           5:30 pm -  6:30 pm

INTERMISSION:                      6:30 pm  -  7:00 pm

ACT 2:                                           7:00 pm  -  8:00 pm

Graduation Ceremony          8:00 pm - 8:30 pm

All students are expected to stay for the duration of the entire event and not leave after they have performed. Please be respectful and stay to support the whole group. There is also a group photo at the end of the show.  WE WILL KNOW IF YOU SNEAK OUT. No children under the age of 6 will be permitted to attend.

PARKING: Free parking at the back of the venue and there should also be plenty of street parking near the venue.

GRADUATING STUDENTS

We are holding our very first graduating ceremony where Laura will make a small speech for each graduating student and graduating students are expected to talk about a couple of their favorite memories at LJMA. 

OPTIONAL GRADUATING PACKAGES

Package 1: $65 includes:

• 'I survived the LJMA' t-shirt with their name and graduating year printed on the back
• 'I survived the LJMA' mug with their year 
• Music resume designed by Laura of all their achievements in music
• Framed graduating photo
• LJMA tote bag

Package  2:  $225

• All of the above in Package 1
• Hard-cover custom photo book of all the photos from past shows, performances, trips, videos, photoshoots, exams, and camps that we have collected over the years that are specific to your child or feature them. We have saved everything. This will take many hours to put together hence the price but for those that have been with us for a long time, we highly recommend it. 

AUDIENCE RULES AND EXPECTATIONS:

DEVICES

• Phones must be placed on silent and the only phones that are permitted to be out are of the parents of the current performer. Please do not let guests use devices during the shows. You can always airdrop or send them videos that they can send their friends AFTER the performance. NO ONE needs to be sending videos to ANYONE during the performance so please be present and in the moment so as not to risk ruining other student performances with bright screens and accidentally playing videos.

SWITCHING SEATS

• DO NOT ask or try and persuade other guests to switch seats with you so that you can get a better view.  If you want better seats buy tickets early. If we hear of this happening again we will remove performance privileges from the families that attempt to bully other families with this. This is absolutely unacceptable.

DURING PERFORMANCES

• No talking
• No texting

CHILDREN UNDER 5

• No children under the age of 5 (absolutely no babies, NONE )

TALKING DURING PERFORMANCES

• We will remove anyone who cannot sit still during shows and that includes young audience members and their caretakers.   If you have a young child and they are likely to chat or get restless during the show please leave them at home with a babysitter.   We offer multiple casual events throughout the year for younger audience members to enjoy but these Black Tie Events are not those.   Black Tie Recitals are high-quality performances that cost a lot to produce and students have spent months preparing for. To bring guests and allow them to talk for the duration of the show without having the decency to remove yourself ruins months of hard work and is unacceptable.
• If your child cannot sit still or stay quiet during the performance please escort them out and stay out for the rest of the performance as it is clearly not a suitable environment for them. Allowing them to talk over a performance is not cute, it is incredibly disrespectful. If this happens then you and your child will be asked to leave and you will not be let back in.

BATHROOM ETIQUETTE

• For those that need to visit the bathroom facilities during the performance please wait outside until there is applause before returning and making your way quickly to your seats so that doors don't slam during someone's performance.
• If you know you are someone who needs frequent use of the bathroom then please choose to sit at the edge of the seating area near the entrance doors so that you can leave quietly without disturbing anyone.