“If you try to please all, you please none.” - Aesop I hear this every year: “It’s not fair.” From students. From parents. And if we’re honest, from everyone. Heck, even I’ve said it! And I get it. This time of year, coming out of March Madness, along with choir festivals and show choir contests, conversations surrounding fairness happen more…
Last month, we began a conversation about the good, the hard and the honest questions that come with competition. Each month, I’m taking on one concern I hear from directors and staff - not to dismiss it, but to look at it from a place of experience and growth. March brings us to another concern I hear often: “Judging is…
One of the most common concerns I hear about competing is a simple, valid one: “Competitions create unhealthy stress.” I agree - to a point. Stress absolutely exists in competitive environments. Students feel it. Directors feel it. If we’re not careful, it can spill over into places it doesn’t belong. That said, how on earth can we teach students the…
Why compete? Why take your students on the road, put them in front of judges, clinicians and adjudicators, and give up evenings, weekends and personal time with family and friends to do it? Early in my career, I had to answer those questions for myself. Over time, I’ve learned that every music educator answers them differently. That answer can change…