1000 Pianists at MSMTA Festival

I spent Saturday morning serving as "room monitor" at the Maryland State Music Teachers Association Spring Piano Festival. The University of Maryland Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center was packed with eager students and their parents. Nearly 1000 young pianists, actually. And they were good! Well prepared with ambitious pieces on their programs... 

My role was simple - assist the judge I was assigned to and make sure things ran smoothly. Easy enough. Too easy. So, as he was reviewing his notes at the end of the sessions and trying to come up with a conclusion on the awards, I took the opportunity of having a captive audience to share some thoughts with the young pianists and their parents.

• Go to concerts. Listen, absorb, watch., experience.
  
• Listen to recordings! We aren't cheating - we are researching and developing an ability to sense the fine details of interpretation that make a great performance.
• Go to watch dance recitals, theatre performances, and visit museums. You will be inspired by the movements, the characters, and the visual images that you can add to your music.
• Celebrate the success of today - you have accomplished a lot by working towards the performance goal. It's been a joint effort of student, parents, and teacher. Now, regardless of the judging outcome, go out and celebrate!

The last group I worked with was the 18 year olds. There were 8 in the entire competition. They are "the few, the proud." (like the Marines). They have persevered and stuck with it, despite many challenges over the years.  What an awesome accomplishment!