Recitals, Festivals, Competitions
Music is a performing art, but most students find performance stressful. The more a student performs, the easier it gets and the more they enjoy performing. I encourage my students to perform as much as possible. I hold studio recitals two or three times during the year and make several other optional events available.
Studio Recitals
We currently hold our recitals virtually.
Festivals and Competitions
Festivals are open to students of all ages and abilities from pre-school to adult. Students perform for a judge who provides written comments and a rating. If a student is well prepared and performs with only minor mistakes or hesitations, he or she will most likely receive a superior rating. Students typically enjoy performing in festivals and find them less stressful than recitals. There is a one-time entry fee for festivals, usually $25 or less.
Competitions are similar to festivals in structure but the standards are higher. I encourage all my students to reach a competitive level but will only invite students to participate if they are playing at a competitive level. Many competitions are tiered with students advancing to the next level. The financial and time commitment varies.
For both festivals and competitions students are required to play two pieces from memory in order to receive a rating. Students may perform for comments only at festivals using the music.
Currently, all Festivals are held virtually.
Gwinnett County Music Day Festival
This Festival is held the second Saturday in November.
Federated Music Clubs of America Festival
This is a national festival. Students accumulate up to 5 points every year per event and receive trophies every 15 points.
Local Auditions: Piano Competition
This is the entry level of a state-wide competition sponsored by Georgia Music Teachers Association. Winners move on to a Regional and then State-level competition. Students must pass a theory test and receive an Outstanding Performer rating in order to advance to Regionals. Regional winners advance to the State Auditions. I encourage a realistic approach to this event. Students must prepare well and try their best. Success lies in performing at a higher level and advancing as far as possible. Winning is wonderful, but judges decisions are necessarily subjective (as hard as they try to be objective) and only a few students place. Students will be scheduled and given a performance time according to their school grade. This year performance is virtual, via a previously recorded and uploaded file.
State Auditions: Guitar Competition
This is a state-wide competition for string players. The standards are much higher than for a festival. This is an excellent opportunity for guitarists to perform. Students must prepare well and try their best. Success lies in performing at a higher level. Winning is wonderful, but judges decisions are necessarily subjective (as hard as they try to be objective) and only a few students place. This year, performance will be virtual.
Junior/Senior Scholarship
This is a scholarship competition held by Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association. It is open to high school juniors and seniors. Scholarship money is for continued music education.
Steinway Junior Piano Competition
This is an annual competition sponsored by Steinway pianos.