Importance of competitions

bluemeringue
Mon, 08 Dec 2014 18:45:58 +0000

My son goes to magnet school for the arts, where he studies piano. He also is in a pre-college prep program at a conservatory (though not Juilliard) and has attended music summer programs for 7 years. Out of all the many pianists he knows (literally dozens upon dozens), he is one of a half-dozen who intend to continue pursuing music. Sadly, the vast majority are still auditioning for Juilliard and other top conservatories just to see if they can get in and indicating to top universities/music programs that they plan to continue to play throughout college/conservatory and beyond. I think many had some genuine passion for music, but it was hammered out of them. I hope they return to it once it’s no longer an obligation, but a joyous choice.