My student just won 2nd place in the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) national contest in NYC. She had a strong program: last movement Taktakishvilli sonata, last movement Reinecke sonata, and that devilishly tricky Ballade by Frank Martin. When she called to say she had won 2nd I was so surprised at the conflict in my initial reaction which was, “Not first??” The same thing happend this week when my student got 1st alternate to play a concerto with an orchestra.
Wow, just the trap I tell my students not to fall into. I’ve had a few parents who were unhappy (and very vocal) unless their child won first place and I have no time or patience for that and now I felt it in myself. But not for long. I took two deep breaths then came back to reality and am happy and proud of not only their accomplishments but that they worked so hard and play so well and love it so much. That’s what counts. I won;t forget.