Disappointment At Piano Contest ...

 

     I clearly remember the day I went to a piano contest for the Bach Festival last March at the Claremont Community School of Music.  For that contest, I prepared a Baroque style piece called the Gavotte in g minor. Many contestants from Pomona Valley attended the Festival and I was really worried and nervous.

     Fortunately, I felt that I had played well. All of my notes were accurate, except for one thwarted note. The audience, including my mom, applauded with enthusiasm after my performance. I went outside to get some fresh air and waited until the award ceremony at 12 o'clock. Time flew past and before I knew it, I was walking with all the contestants into Andre Watts Hall for the Award Ceremony. I was thinking that I might get at least a third place trophy. Finally, I had received an ...

     Honorable Mention. I couldn’t believe what I heard. And a boy who had an obvious mistake had gotten a 2nd place. I was absolutely disappointed by the result, but I had to accept it. When all the parents were taking pictures, I couldn’t smile naturally. My mom was also a little disappointed, but she said it was better than nothing. We still went to have a premium seafood buffet to celebrate, but I could barely taste what I was eating and talked very little.  

     At my next piano lesson, I asked my teacher what had happened. My teacher couldn’t explain it really well either. She also agreed with me that the 2nd and 1st places weren’t that good. The best explanation she could come up with was that the judges probably didn’t like my style of playing this piece. But that didn’t make sense either because the judges’ comments were mostly positive. But she told me not to worry and said that I play piano not only to get a trophy, but to also enjoy playing music.   

     Since then, I have practiced even harder, and I still go to contests regularly. I keep my mind empty of the trophies, for I come to share the music with others. I have even been surprised by winning my 1st place trophies for the Classical and Contemporary Festivals! I have also changed my attitude toward piano. Now I enjoy playing it. Without any doubts, the piano brings me a lot of pleasure and surprises rather than disappointment.

 

Student recital on March 2nd, 2013

 

Trophies