Will's Blue Ribbon

This past Saturday my 9-year-old grandson (Kim and Ash's son) took part in an event sponsored by the Greensboro Music Teachers Association in which young musicians are critiqued on their performances by judges for whom they play one (or two or three) solos behind closed doors at the UNCG Music School. Will started piano lessons last fall with Craig Fields, and has really been challenged by the discipline needed to master the music he has been given. Like me, he plays by ear, so it's hard to memorize and play the exact notes on the page. But he has learned several pieces well, so Craig enrolled him in the "competition", playing one song from memory. I don't know who was more nervous, Kim or I (me?). You can't hear through the doors of the rooms of the new Music Building but Will evidently played without a mistake and emerged with a big smile on his face. He received a top grade of "Superior" (I think most of the kids do--but that's not to diminish Will's achievement; it just shows how encouraging to young musicians the judges are) and a certificate with a blue ribbon and gold sticker on it. He was so excited and proud! He kept saying, "I've never won a blue ribbon before!" and "It's so shiny and beautiful!" and "I can't wait to get a trophy next year!" (for playing two years in a row).

Will is not athletic nor particularly competitive except in computer games. He attends the Greensboro Montessori School where competition is not stressed and he has rarely participated in anything where awards have been given. This was, I hope, the beginning of many future competitions and awards for music performance.

Entry fee to the GMTA: $8
Will's expressions of joy getting his award: priceless!