Preparing for a Competition

Well, my son won the Youth Orchestra competition where he belongs awhile ago. The performance is coming up in a couple of weeks. This was nonetheless small competition since only the members of this youth orchestra can enter. He was one of the four winner this time and they get to play solo with the youth orchestra. Next month, there will be another competition which is county wide, still in a small scale. You only play one movement of the concerto of your choice. This time the winners will be playing with the local orchestra. My son will play Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor op. 64, first movement. He played it at the student recital a few months ago. Now, it is more of polishing up dynamics and intonation. It is hard for a 11 year-old to play same piece over and over although he is studying other pieces along with it. I showed him the DVD of Maxim Vengerov Masterclass which I wrote a review in the previous post. "The details, details, details." That's what I say. Next week, we'll start practicing with the pianist who will accompany him on the day of the competition. It is different when you play with a piano because you have a partner you need to listen to. It is good for him so he won't run off by himself:) It is only just a shy of month away. Hope he will continue being motivated and play his heart out!