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Jacqueline/Connie wrote:
If you go in strictly to win...you will find disappointment
more times than not...
...And then of course there are those times when they
didn't do nearly their best and for some odd reason,
they win the category...
...Judging is very "subjective" and although we don't
always understand the judges reasoning we accept
that they know what they are looking for.
I think what we, as teachers and performers, have to remember is that we
NEVER know what the judge is looking for or thinking. In preparing my
students and myself for singing in a judged event, I say to try not to think
of what the judge wants. I encourage just doing the best given whatever
circumstances come up. I also say that we have no idea what the judge is
going through that day. They might be in a great mood, bad mood, have heard
their aria 15 times that day, they might be thinking about their daughters
wedding, etc., etc., etc. There's just no way to predict or know what
another person is thinking or feeling at a given moment and if you try, you
set yourself up for disappointment.
Also, I've been through Met Auditions 3 times. My first year was as a
senior in college - I did well, I got called back, but was the only person
to not receive anything. I was devastated, but got tons of encouragement to
not give up. My second time was about 8 years later (after I did give up,
incidentally, for about 8 years...) - I got 6th place out of six people
singing - but I got a LOT of encouragement from the audience during and
after my performance. My third time was the charm, I won my district and
sang very well at the regional competition. I again didn't get anything at
the regional level but I think it was more because the judges wanted to
award potential. I'm not saying I should have won, but I'm sure they did
take age into account when passing out the awards. Again, I got much
encouragement during and after my performance.
I wouldn't trade any of the three experiences for anything. They gave me
specific goals to work toward and lots of needed encouragement for
continuing to work toward this career.
Have a wonderful day!
Lisa M. Stachowicz
Dramatic Soprano and Voice Teacher
Appleton, WI
http://home.att.net/~earthbounddiva
You are the music while the music lasts.
~ T. S. Eliot ~
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