Are music competitions necessary?

sbjdorlo
Tue, 23 Jul 2013 20:37:11 +0000

These are all very helpful responses-thank you!

My son’s cello teacher doesn’t have solo recitals, so that is a drawback, but I think he will help prepare my son for at least one competition this year. My son is only considering music as a major, but I have encouraged him to get at least two concertos ready for competitions this year. His teacher also isn’t a member of the MTAC (Music Teacher’s Association of California), so my son isn’t eligible to compete in most of the competitions, unfortunately.

My son did audition for, and was accepted into, a small selective summer chamber program this summer and just performed a wonderful quintet with his group. He is a strong cellist and getting stronger and this experience was valuable because he was with some very strong players in our (large) area.

He has been playing for 10+ years; he busks (street performs), has played in numerous weddings and other events, has been in a community/university orchestra (but dropped out due to his hearing loss for which he had surgery to improve), and has done recordings.

Though he’s classically trained, he loves playing Celtic, fiddle, and rock (think of the 2Cellos, which is what he does when busking, along with another young cellist) and has performed duets and solos for fund raisers and other events.

So, he has a lot of performing experience, but only did one competition, probably 3 years ago (didn’t win, but was a less confident player back then).

He was also invited to join the youth philharmonic and soloist strings orchestra that was was a part of this summer but for now, he is unable to join because of a conflict.

His teacher has seen “the best” cellists in So. Cal. and knows that my son isn’t one of them yet, but I think he can move him along. However, it will involve very few competitions.

He loves his teacher who has been his mentor, friend, and biggest advocate. (My son has been through many health problems and his teacher has always believed in him) He isn’t ready for a change to a competitive teacher, if that makes sense.

What do you all think? Just a few competitions could get him to the next level is what I’m hoping.