I am judging a student concerto competition in a few short hours. I am very excited to hear everybody play! It’s the SIUE John and Kay Kendall 10th Concerto Competition. First place will win $100 so the pressure is ON.
I used to participate in these sorts of competitions all the time when I was younger–I loved competitions…and winning 😉 When I didn’t win, I would vow to work harder and longer and win the next one.
As I got older, when I didn’t win something…I felt like it just meant I wasn’t good enough and maybe I should do something else. Weird. When did that change? Was it in grad school? Or afterwards (perhaps in my first orchestral job, when somebody in a principal position actually SAID that to me?)
I do know this: I will be the best darned judge ever!