Mid-America Music Festival Part II

We spent the entire Friday at the festival for piano.  Piano is a little bit different than the other instruments in that there is also a competitive element to it.   You are required to do the solo festival portion is you do the competitive element, so the kiddos had to prepare 3 songs each.  The solo is one song from their required list and one of choice.  The competitive piece has to be a different song from the required list of about 6 pieces.   

Little Guy:  Level G (entry level)- Matt My Cat by Jane Bastien (required) & Waltz by Jon George (choice)  His competitive piece was Dalmatians by Tom Gerou.   

BB: Level E- Expedition to Everest by Chrissi Ricker (required) & Scherzo by Kavelevsky (choice).  His competitive piece was Comanche Warrior by Chrissi Ricker

Little Lady: Level B (she was the youngest in her category)- Chopin Prelude Op. 28 #6 (required) & Bach 2-part Invention #1 (choice).  Her competitive piece was Clementi Sonatina Op. 36 #6

Little Man: Level B - Knecht Ruprecht by Schumann (required) & To a Wild Rose by MacDonald (choice).  His competitive piece was Nocturne by Martin Cuellar 

I also had two students participating in piano and I also accompanied a violinist, so it was a packed day.  We were allowed to sit in on the competitive pieces, but no audiences were allowed for the solo performances.  Solo and competitive are judged by different judges and done at separate rooms and times, so we had a crazy schedule to keep track of.

All of them played well.  The oldest three got a "Superior" rating on their solo.  I tried to listen at the door for all of them, and obviously I sat in on their competitive playing.  Level B for Little Lady and Little Man was one of the most competitive levels.  They were disappointed they didn't place, but the top 2 happened to be from our same studio, so I know them and they played flawlessly.  They were also both older teenagers.  

The real twist of the day came from Little Guy.  He didn't receive a Superior rating for his solo, but he placed first in his level!  What in the world?!  That meant we had to stay for the winners recital at 6pm.  He didn't even really care about winning (the other kids were a bit put out that their younger brother won and they didn't).  When Little Guy heard there was a trophy then he became excited.  He ate up all the attention at the recital, and he's in love with his trophy.

These are all 6 of our students at Kansas City School of Music who placed in the Competitive portion of the festival. 

All 5 kids survived hours and hours of sitting and waiting.  I was proud of them just for that.   

The whole festival was a huge success, and their hard work paid off.  Next year the festival is in St. Louis, so we may make a weekend trip out of it.