COMPETITION TIME - the PROS and CONS of contests
Spring piano competition time.
Competitions offer so much to pianists. They are a goal to work for, a place to be heard, and an opportunity to gain stage experience.
This is my ‘view’ when I am evaluating a competition. Here I am judging the North East Ohio Music Teachers Association Spring Festival.
I am so thrilled to be invited to judge in this year’s Naftzger Awards Competition, a contest for college students. The contest starts just in a few days.
Generally speaking competitions are wonderful, but they are not for everyone, so let’s take a quick look at their PROS and CONS.
Little disclaimer: Please know that these viewpoints are my very own. They are based on my personal experiences in preparing or judging college age professional pianists.
Competitions can be
A goal for repertoire preparation
(getting ready for a big event with a deadline makes for great practice focus)A platform to be heard
(most competitions are not only public events, but they are also streamed which makes for extra PR exposure)A networking opportunity with judges and fellow competitors
(competitions, especially with several rounds offer times to get to know the judges and co-competitors)
Competitions may not be
A guaranteed career maker
(in our oversaturated classical music market many winners do not achieve a high profile career)A financial investment with certain return
(entry fees, air fare, and accommodations can be costly, but only few participants earn prize money)A way to build a large repertoire base
(most competition players will recycle the same pieces that have proven reliable in performance)
A word of caution
Competitions can have negative effects. The evaluation setting can be quite intimidating, and very few entrances will win, so not-winning is part of the game. All of it might be too stressful or discouraging for some.
Luckily, competitions are not a must for a career in music. The list of famous pianists who did not focus on competitions is long. It includes Sviatoslav Richter, Martha Argerich, Evgeny Kissin, Arthur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Yuga Wang, and Lang Lang.
Fun Fact: There are more than 800 international piano competitions worldwide in addition to the many local, regional,
and national contests!
I am looking forward to being on the jury of the Nafzger Award Competition next. I know I’ll come away with lots of inspirations. Stop by and say hello if you are in the area!