Life Is But A Dream: Broomfield Piano Festival 2016

Competition season has started again! This is an exciting time of year for our family, as the children get a few excellent opportunities to perform and compete as pianists. And I love it because it really gives them something to work toward and gives them extra special reasons to strive for excellence in their skills. It's hard work, a lot of fun and excitement, and a great learning experience!

Chase and Avery were able to participate in the first of these competitions this past weekend: The Broomfield Piano Festival. This is a really challenging competition because the students are all really, really advanced, and the judges have high expectations.

Chase and Avery have participated in this competition for the past three years, and each year it has been exciting! And each year the outcome has been different. And each year has provided an opportunity to learn something that helps the boys improve.

The process involves an audition in the morning with a private judge. No parents or teachers are allowed in the room. They have to play 3 memorized pieces while the judge sits there and scribbles notes.

This is the picture I took of these handsome fellas BEFORE the morning audition. They were just a little anxious as we waited for their turns! And YES, I do realize that this was a dopey place for me to take a picture...because that sprig of sticks on the wall make it look like Chase has sprouted some crazy ears or something. Duh! But, their smiles are cute, so I'm posting anyway!

Then, the judges select finalist to compete in an afternoon performance for the public, and in front of a whole new set of judges. These judges then give them points for whatever-it-is-they-give-points-for (ha!), and they award the students a first, second, and third place, and an honorable mention.

This year, both Chase and Avery advanced as finalists in their respective divisions. They had both moved up a division this year, so Avery was in Division II and Chase was in Division III. They both played beautifully in the public performance! This can be scary because of the big audience and the three judges. The competition is fierce because all of these students are really exceptional! In the end, Avery was awarded an Honorable Mention for Division II, which was amazing! And Chase earned second place in Division III, which was outstanding! We are so proud and excited for them! They certainly worked hard on their music and it was so gratifying for them to receive awards!