How to Introduce a Performance on Stage (With Sample Script)

These days, when you attend a concert, it is quite common for performers to engage with the audience. If you’re wondering how to introduce a performance on stage, this post will guide you through preparing a short, engaging introduction that helps your audience understand both you and your music.

 

When you're preparing your introduction, keep in mind, that the goal is for your audience to get to know you a tiny bit - and more importantly, to understand the music that they're about to listen to, and what you bring to it. Please don't memorise a whole lot of biographical information about the composer of your piece from wikipedia and recite it like a robot!!!

 

Preparing one of these introductions is challenging! Because of this, I've put together a few steps that you can work through. I'm hoping that if you follow these steps, you'll end up with a short, engaging intro.

 

Step 1. Introduce Yourself Briefly

When you start your performance, take a moment to briefly introduce yourself. You might like to share things such as:

  • a little about your musical background

  • what brings you to be performing today

This lets your audience connect with you personally before the music begins.

Step 2. Introduce your pieces to the audience

You can introduce all your pieces at the start of the performance, or introduce each piece individually as you play. To bring your performance to life, it’s worth doing some background research on both the composer and the structure of the piece. Thinking about your pieces in this way is useful not just for performances, but also if you are preparing pieces for a piano exam.

  • If you’re an advanced player, it can be helpful to explore performance practices, historical context, and related works (ABRSM guide to writing programme notes). This deeper research can enrich your interpretation and help you communicate more insightfully about your music.

  • If you’re a beginner working on simpler music, you can keep it straightforward. Focus on:

    • The story or mood of the piece — what feeling does it convey?

    • Notable features in the music, like a repeated motif, a dramatic change, or your favorite section.

    • A few fun or interesting facts about the composer, such as where they lived or a hobby they enjoyed.

 

Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you prepare:

Learn About the Composer

 

Research the composer of your piece. Make bullet points of:

  • When and where they lived

  • Their main interests or influences

  • Any challenges or notable achievements

 

Learn About the Piece

 

Find out if the piece:

  • Is about a person, place, or event

  • Was written for a specific occasion

  • Has historical significance in the composer’s life

 

Reflect on the Music

 

Think about:

  • The mood of the music

  • Any sections that stand out to you

  • Challenges you faced while learning it

 

Connect Your Notes

 

Make connections between what you learned about the composer, the piece, and your personal experience. For example:

  • Did the composer write this during a joyful period? Does that reflect in the music?

  • Did the composer struggle with something that you can hear in the piece?

  • Are there stylistic elements (like jazz influences) you can point out?

 

Streamline Into Sentences

 

Once you’ve gathered your ideas, turn them into short, clear sentences that you can speak confidently. Consider writing a mini script to rehearse.

Step 3. Sample introduction script for a performance

Here are examples you can adapt to your own pieces and style:

Example 1:

“Hello, my name is [Student Name], and I’ve been learning piano for three years. Today I’m going to play Arabesque by Burgmüller. He was a German composer active in the 1800s, during the Romantic era, and he spent most of his life in Paris. Burgmüller was especially known for his etudes, which are studies designed to help students develop their technique. Arabesque is the second etude in his collection of 25, Op. 100.

An arabesque is a piece that is flowing and decorative, with lots of little patterns and ornaments that make it sound lively and interesting. You might enjoy listening for the playful, fast-moving sections, the quiet, sweet parts, and the firm, decisive ending.”

Example 2:

“Hello, my name is [Student Name]. I’m in [Year Level] at [School Name] and I’ve been learning piano for [X] years. Today I’m excited to share a well-known Baroque piece: the Prelude in C major, BWV 846, by Johann Sebastian Bach. This is the very first prelude from Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, two books comprising preludes and fugues in every key, written in the 1700s. Bach was a German composer of the Baroque era, and he spent much of his life working as an organist and composer in various churches and at the court.

The prelude features a broken chord figure that is beautifully voiced, moving smoothly and steadily through different keys in a balanced way, giving the music a gentle, flowing character.

As I play, listen for the shifting harmony and the skillful way Bach creates moments of tension and release, drawing you into the music as it unfolds.”

Step 4. Tips for nervous speakers

  • Practice aloud several times, even if it’s just in front of a mirror.

  • Keep it brief—you don’t need to say everything you know.

  • Use bullet points if memorising full sentences feels intimidating.

  • Breathe before speaking and maintain eye contact with the audience.

Introducing your performance to an audience is a wonderful way to share not just your music, but also your connection to it. Even a short, thoughtful introduction can help your listeners appreciate your playing and understand the story behind each piece.

Try using the steps and sample scripts in this post as a starting point, and adapt them to suit your own style and the pieces you’re performing. Rehearse aloud, experiment with different ways of describing your music, and most importantly, have fun connecting with your audience.