Top Tips for Planning a Successful Student Concert: Repertoire & Scheduling

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How to Plan a Student Concert: Repertoire & Scheduling

This is Part 1 of my 3-part Student Concert Success Series—a step-by-step guide to help you plan and deliver a confident, joyful performance experience for your students.

In this post, we’re laying the foundation: how to build a simple planning timeline and choose repertoire. That’s achievable, fun, and educationally sound.
👉 Jump to Part 2: Student Roles & Confidence
👉 Jump to Part 3: Rehearsals & Concert-Day Logistics

Introduction

Planning a student concert can feel like juggling a dozen instruments at once—exciting, rewarding, and sometimes a little chaotic.

Whether you're organizing your first performance or your fiftieth, there's always that moment where you think, Where do I even begin?

The good news? With a little structure and the right mindset, concert planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, it can become one of the most rewarding parts of your teaching year.

This post—Part 1 of a multi-part series—focuses on laying the groundwork for your student concert:

When to start
How to build a practical timeline
How to choose repertoire that works for your students

Let’s get that planning baton in hand and begin.

1. Start With a Timeline

One of the most helpful things you can do is work backwards from your concert date. Having a clear timeline helps reduce last-minute stress, keeps everyone on the same page, and ensures your students are well-prepared.

How Far in Advance Should I Start?

Ideally, start planning 8–12 weeks before the performance.

If your concert includes multiple classes, instruments, or complex pieces, the more lead time, the better.

Here’s a sample concert prep timeline:

Tip: Print your timeline or keep it visible in your planning notebook. Having those deadlines in sight makes it easier to stay on track.

2. Choosing the Right Repertoire

Repertoire selection is where your concert really starts to take shape.

The pieces you choose set the tone for the event, influence student confidence, and impact audience enjoyment.

The right music will engage your students, challenge them just enough, and showcase their progress—without overwhelming anyone (including you!).

What Makes a Piece “Right” for a Student Concert?

Here are a few questions to guide your decision-making:

Is it achievable with the time and students I have?
A simple piece performed confidently is more effective than a complex piece that falls apart on stage.
Does it suit my students’ current skill levels?
Consider vocal ranges, rhythmic complexity, instrumentation, and the confidence level of your students.
Is it age-appropriate and engaging?
Think about lyrics, style, and themes that match your students’ interests and developmental stage.
Does it align with a theme or purpose?
A loosely themed concert (e.g., seasons, travel, kindness, cultural celebration) can give the event a cohesive feel, even if the pieces vary widely.
Will the audience enjoy it too?
Balance the educational value with the entertainment factor—it’s okay to include fun or familiar tunes!

Repertoire Ideas by Type

Here are some ideas to help you mix things up:

Tip: Don’t underestimate the impact of familiar songs—even a song you taught earlier in the year can feel concert-ready with a few polished layers added.

Differentiation: Making Repertoire Work for Mixed Abilities

In most music classrooms, your students will have a wide range of skills—and that’s okay!

Here are ways to adapt:

Layer parts so students can join at their comfort level (e.g., body percussion + pitched instruments)
Add movement for students who are more kinaesthetic than musical
Use echo parts or call-and-response to support less confident singers
Assign solo or leadership roles to advanced students without sidelining others

Remember: The goal isn’t perfection—it’s participation and pride.

Involve Students in Repertoire Decisions

If possible, give students a say in what they perform. This could be:

A vote between two pieces
Choosing the order of songs
Letting them create lyrics, movements, or backing rhythms

Student ownership boosts motivation—and often improves rehearsal focus too.

Wrapping Up Part 1

You’re off to a fantastic start. By setting your timeline and choosing repertoire that fits your students and your goals, you’ve already laid a strong foundation.

In Part 2, we’ll look at:

Ensuring every student has a meaningful role
Helping students overcome performance nerves
Communicating clearly with parents and caregivers

Ready to move forward?

In Part 2, we’ll explore how to involve every student (even the shy ones), reduce performance nerves, and communicate clearly with parents.Or grab my printable Concert Planning Timeline to stay on track from day one.

FREE DOWNLOAD: CLICK HERE to download your FREE Concert Planning Timeline — a printable checklist to help you stay on track from 12 weeks out to concert day.