I put on two student recitals each year. One in April right after Easter and another in November right before Thanksgiving. I am now in the planning stages for the November recital. I only ask my younger students to perform. No one after high school. Many of the kids look forward to playing and many dread it. For the most part, the parents love it. I have met grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, neighbors and friends who regularly attend. New friendships made over the shared experience and the cider and doughnuts that follow.
One of the problems however, is the people who would like to be there but cannot because of geography or health reasons. I teach numerous international students with family scattered around the world. Currently the countries of Viet Nam, Korea, England, Canada, Poland, and Russia are represented. And, of course, there are so many with family living throughout the U.S.
There are family members who are either sick or attending someone who is sick. And the occasional parent who is traveling on business. Many of these extended family members or friends would like the opportunity to watch the performance and give support to the student.
Until recently there was nothing that could be done. But technology is changing that. Beginning with this next recital I hope to "live stream" the event via YouTube. I've never attempted this before and I fully expect to have difficulties. But I believe it's necessary to learn to do this on behalf of my students.
I have used FaceTime and Skype to give make-up lessons for several years now. I regularly email sheet music lessons and give video lesson links to my students. These are wonderful tools that technology has provided to allow me to help my students. There are other tools available but I'm currently not interested. My decisions are always based on what is best for the student or their family.
Old people using technology is not often a good thing. And to be honest, I find it to be a little intimidating. I'm not really "tech savvy", or very smart, and I am most definitely not a "visionary" like some are suggesting. I'm just trying to solve some problems. I know I'm going to fail at first. And I'm old enough to have had too much experience with failure to look forward to that part of the process. But it is a part of the process, so the sooner I get that part over with the sooner I get to the good stuff.
Technology is neither friend nor foe. It's just a tool. Like a hammer or a toaster. And I will use whatever tool I can to enhance the music experience for my students.