While a children's piano recital tends to move from the less-experienced to the most expert students, an adult piano recital can break these rules. Do away with formality by making it more of a party atmosphere. Instead of chairs lined up facing the piano, have couches and comfortable chairs facing each other. Guests can talk to one another while students come to the front to perform unannounced. End the night with a rehearsed piano sing-a-long of a favorite popular song from the past.
Structuring the performance like an open mic night can break the tension that first-time performers might feel. Have an MC welcome everyone and ask for a volunteer to play first. If no one comes forward, ask audience members to nominate someone to go first. Do the same thing after each set. Make it funny by giving gag prizes at the end of the night for best performance, as well as such funny categories as "biggest gaffe" and "most nervous."
Take the focus away from the performance with speeches and stories that will lighten the atmosphere. Have performers tell a story or make a speech before they play a piece on the piano. Encourage them to tell a story about learning their piece. You might hear such things as how their children kept interrupting or how buying and moving a piano was a monumental task.
Instead of orange juice and cookies, make guests want to stay all night with snacks designed specifically for adults. Have a selection of wines for guests to choose from. Other alcoholic drinks, such as beer, will also be a hit. Get crackers with an assortment of cheeses, as well as grapes, nuts and other appetizers. Pickled eggplant and peppers will work nicely, as will breads and pretzels.