tpter1

Well, I went out to judge again this weekend. 3rd time this year, 1 more to go. This weekend was a big learning experience for me. Something so blatantly obvious, I can't believe I never noticed it for myself: the power of accompaniment.

This weekend I had more students play with a piano accompaniment than in all my years of doing this adjudicating gig combined. (6 years now). THe majority of soloists came in with a piano player; either their teacher, a hired outside pianist or, in one case, another student. There was a definite and marked difference in these performances. The level of musicianship was markedly higher; the rhythm and counting issues were nearly non-existant; intonation was WAY better.

So, for next year, I want to try and have my soloists that go use accompaniment. Even if it's only SmartMusic; these kids played with so much more understanding (I can't believe I never even thought about this...it's as plain as the nose on my face...) than those who don't; and from a judge's perspective...it's WAY easier to listen to For He That is Mighty for the umpteenth time with an accompaniment!

This, by the way, is why, given the chance, more people should get trained and adjudicate their state solo festivals. You learn so much and see so much.