Concert Recordings Are More Than Videos

A live concert is a fleeting moment, but a professional recording ensures the experience is never lost. In this post, I’ll show you how a concert video can bring lasting value to your music program. From giving parents the freedom to enjoy the performance without holding up a phone to offering students a unique learning tool and even preserving cherished memories of a band’s unique sound, concert recordings provide benefits that go far beyond the music. By the end, you’ll see that these recordings are more than just a video, they become an indispensable part of your program’s legacy.

Music directors and students dedicate countless hours to perfecting each performance, but when the concert ends, so do those carefully crafted moments. Without a professional recording, those memories fade quickly, leaving only blurry phone videos with poor audio as a reminder of all that hard work. Parents often spend the concert juggling their phones, trying to capture the performance while missing the experience of simply being present and enjoying their child’s achievement.

For students, the loss is even greater. They don’t get the chance to reflect on their performance from the audience’s perspective, missing out on an important tool for growth and self-improvement. The opportunity to share their music with loved ones who couldn’t attend is also lost, leaving the performance confined to the moment.

Even the program itself feels the absence. Over time, band members graduate, move on, or pursue other paths. Without recordings, the evolution of the band or choir goes undocumented. In rare but heartbreaking cases, the loss of a student or member can leave families without a way to revisit those precious memories. A professional recording solves all of these challenges, preserving performances in a way that’s meaningful and enduring.

Share the Moment Without Missing It

A few weeks ago, I was at a school event with my kids. During the event, the ballet class performed, and as I looked around, every single parent was glued to their phones, trying to capture the moment. Instead of soaking in the performance, they were experiencing it through a screen. What struck me most was imagining how those young dancers must have felt, glancing into the audience and seeing their parents focused on their phones instead of them.

This is exactly what happens at concerts. Parents miss the joy of simply being present, caught up in recording, instead of fully experiencing their child’s achievement. The performance becomes less about celebrating the students’ hard work and more about trying to get the perfect shot.

That’s where professional recording comes in. When parents know the concert is being handled by someone using $10,000 worth of specialized equipment and industry-standard editing software, they can put their phones down. They can immerse themselves in the moment, cheer without hesitation, and let their kids see the proud, smiling faces they worked so hard for. Professional recordings allow parents to relive the moment later while giving students the full attention they deserve during the performance.

A Unique Educational Tool

Concert recordings go far beyond creating memories; they provide invaluable learning opportunities for students and directors alike. Doug Burtch, assistant professor of music at the University of Michigan-Flint and artistic director of the Genesee Wind Symphony, captures this idea perfectly:

“Having our concerts recorded is vital to our success as an organization… It allows you to reflect back and look at what went right, what didn’t go right, and maybe areas that need improvement. A professional recording provides a true measure of what the ensemble puts on the stage, and that’s invaluable to anybody leading an ensemble.”

When students see and hear their performances from the audience’s perspective, they gain insights they simply can’t grasp during a live performance. Burtch highlights the importance of recording professionally rather than relying on phones or outdated equipment: “The audio levels are true to what you’re actually hearing, not compressed by your iPhone or a subpar microphone system… By recording them with somebody knowledgeable in editing, audio skills, and how to capture the raw essence of that live performance, you have it for years to look back on.”

These recordings become a powerful tool for growth. Students can analyze their technique, dynamics, and blend, while directors can evaluate ensemble performance and identify areas for improvement. As Burtch points out, “If you have the opportunity to record professionally, do it. Do it often. Use it not only for marketing and sharing but as a tool for growth and reflection.”

By providing students with the ability to critically review their work, concert recordings foster both individual and ensemble improvement, paving the way for even greater achievements in the future.

Preserving a Moment in Time

Music programs are constantly evolving—students graduate, new members join, and the ensemble’s sound grows and changes over time. A concert recording captures more than just a performance; it freezes a unique moment in the program’s history, preserving the group’s achievements and the individuals who made them possible.

I don’t mean to ruin the mood, but tragedy can strike. While this is more common in the adult ensembles I record, I’ve had members of programs pass away. In those moments, nothing makes these recordings more meaningful than when a family reaches out to thank me for preserving their loved one’s performances. Knowing that these videos bring comfort and joy during difficult times reminds me why professional recordings are so important.

Beyond those rare, somber occasions, recordings are a way to celebrate the journey of a music program. They become a cherished archive of the group’s growth and evolution, offering students, directors, and families a chance to look back on the incredible progress they’ve made. These moments—captured in pristine quality—allow future generations to see where the program has been and inspire them to continue its legacy. A professional recording turns a fleeting performance into a timeless treasure.

Your music program deserves to have its moments preserved and celebrated for years to come. Professional concert recordings aren’t just videos—they’re tools for growth, cherished keepsakes, and lasting archives of your program’s unique journey.

Join me on June 5th at 8:00 PM for an exclusive webinar where I’ll walk you through how the Lieber Media Sponsorship Program can bring professional recordings to your music program, completely funded by local businesses. You’ll learn how to capture your students’ hard work in the best way possible while raising funds for your program.