Music Festival Reflections, An Adjudicator Speaks

This past month I've had the privilege to adjudicate 2 festivals in Ontario. Here are some tips for preparing your children for competition.

1. Winners play everything in the score, as written. Very few competitors can really do this well. Champions take it even further.
2. Pick a musical piece. Many children perform unmusical selections. Or pieces they have no emotional connection to. It really makes a difference.
3. Winners have control of their instrument. Control comes from regular practice. Cramming rarely works. An analogy would be preparing for a running marathon one week in advance of the race. The muscles will never be ready.
4. Well prepared children have fun competing. It is a rewarding experience for them. They know they are ready, they present themselves well, and they bask in a job well done.

Cheers, 

David

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