Last Saturday, I had the privilege of adjudicating for a piano competition about a 90 minute drive from here. The format was pretty much what you would expect: four divisions from elementary to advanced repertoire and 1st, 2nd, & 3rd  prizes. The competition was open format with the pianists sitting together with the audience. But there were some wonderful departures from the expected.

First of all, divisions were decided by the student’s level rather than age. I know that some competitions do use this form of organization but there are many that don’t. I really appreciated it. I liked the fact that the young pianists did not have the added stress of worrying that someone was going to blow them out of the water with a piece several levels higher than their own.

Secondly, this competition rotates style periods; one year Classical Era, the next Romantic, etc. This year was Baroque. Students were encouraged to choose their own pieces. So, several renditions of the same piece were played within divisions. It was so lovely to hear the individual voices sound in these repetitions.

Lastly (and this is the kicker for me), the students received comment sheets from both the judges and their peers. All the students were given forms to write comments and rate each performer. The lower two divisions rated each other and then the upper two followed. I do this at studio class frequently but I have never ever seen this happen at a competition.

I am big on making tests and quizzes learning opportunities. In my piano class at the college, l use random skill checks to help students stay accountable for preparation and attendance. However, rather than tasks such as playing a scale or a piece for the teacher and receiving a grade, I give mini-projects to be completed in class based on the skill in question.

Some skill checks are done individually and others in small groups. If they complete the task, they get all the points. Those who are unprepared are outted simply because they are unable to complete the task. Those who are absent without a Dean’s Excuse simply lose out on the 10 points. There are enough checks during a semester that one absence due to illness won’t hurt a student’s grade. It is amazing to see the way students help and support each other.

Mini-projects Skill Checks consist of tasks such as:

  1. Recording a piece in progress and filling out a form detailing how it went and what is needed to improve.
  2. Recording a sight reading excerpt and rating the performance. Practicing the piece according to a set of given practice steps and rating again.
  3. Working with a partner on an improv or relatively new piece. One person plays the LH and the other the RH and then they switch.
  4. Recording a nearly finished piece and then having all the students rotate pianos around the room listening to and rating each other.

Kudos to the organizers of this young artists competition for making last Saturday about so much more than learning a piece to a high level or winning and losing!

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