Feeling bad prescreens didn't work out- advice?

prestofaust
Tue, 21 Jan 2014 15:07:42 +0000

I completely understand. When I didn’t pass USC or Rice I felt like the worst pianist in the world and was sure that I didn’t stand a chance at my other schools.

But in the end I remembered that not passing was not the end of the world. On a plus side, it saved me valuable travel $$ and time preparing when I knew it wasn’t a “fit.” I became happier with the auditions that I knew I did have and had a firmer resolve to work harder at those since my options were narrowed down.

BTW I live in a tiny rural town and have not had access to recitals/competitions either so I completely understand but I don’t think that lack of experience hurt your daughter. I am good friends with the head of the piano department at a very competitive conservatory and I voiced the same concerns to her when I started the audition process. She told me that huge resumes/fancy recommendation letters etc… don’t matter as much as your playing. The faculty recognize some people don’t have the opportunities (either for financial or geographic or both reasons) for recitals/competitions so what matters most is do you (from the tape) have the potential + skills needed to succeed when granted those opportunities from college?

Continue to be confident and encouraging. If your D is super passionate about music and knows that is what she wants to do, she’ll get over it and continue strongly.