Solo and Ensemble
My middle daughter competed in the music solo and ensemble competition last Saturday. I must say I was impressed with what I saw. There was a continual flow of both solo players and groups of three and four streaming in front of the judges. Most of the music I heard was exceptional but I am not a judge. What gave me the most pleasure was that these young musicians had the courage to stand in front of a judge and play their hearts out. That is real courage.
My daughter performed both a solo and an ensemble. She received a II on both of her efforts. Initially she was greatly disappointed by the rating but as the shock wore off, realized that her performances were not perfect. That is what defines a I, perfection. She practiced both of her pieces and had them perfect at home. What threw her solo effort into a lower grade was she had to perform a scale for the judge. The judge requested a G scale and she was not able to perform that successfully. Her solo was excellent. She knows what to expect when she competes next year. Work on your scales and have them down as perfect as your solo.
For her ensemble performance, she had to depend on all three participants performing their parts perfectly. It is never easy when you are depending on another person to devote the same effort you have put out. Although the score on the ensemble was a disappointment, she was happy with her performance.
In a world where we expect instant gratification from everything we do, it was heartening to see this number of American youths striving to master their craft. The amount of practice that goes into all of those performances boggles the mind. The simple act of standing up in front of a judge and exposing your soul (at least at that age it feels like that) is even difficult for most adults. For a teenager to muster the courage to be judged provides them with a tool to use in later life. Never step back from a challenge. Performing in front of people is difficult, but it is something that cannot be taken away and provides a base for becoming a secure, active adult. As the cliché goes, “Practice makes perfect.”
Icool
Cobb
My daughter performed both a solo and an ensemble. She received a II on both of her efforts. Initially she was greatly disappointed by the rating but as the shock wore off, realized that her performances were not perfect. That is what defines a I, perfection. She practiced both of her pieces and had them perfect at home. What threw her solo effort into a lower grade was she had to perform a scale for the judge. The judge requested a G scale and she was not able to perform that successfully. Her solo was excellent. She knows what to expect when she competes next year. Work on your scales and have them down as perfect as your solo.
For her ensemble performance, she had to depend on all three participants performing their parts perfectly. It is never easy when you are depending on another person to devote the same effort you have put out. Although the score on the ensemble was a disappointment, she was happy with her performance.
In a world where we expect instant gratification from everything we do, it was heartening to see this number of American youths striving to master their craft. The amount of practice that goes into all of those performances boggles the mind. The simple act of standing up in front of a judge and exposing your soul (at least at that age it feels like that) is even difficult for most adults. For a teenager to muster the courage to be judged provides them with a tool to use in later life. Never step back from a challenge. Performing in front of people is difficult, but it is something that cannot be taken away and provides a base for becoming a secure, active adult. As the cliché goes, “Practice makes perfect.”
Icool
Cobb
posted by Cobb at
6:28 AM
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