I am wholeheartedly against competitions in music (and art) in general. I always felt that they are contradicting the nature and the purpose of music and art. Especially, when beginners and young children are in question. And whenever I had to compete with others to achieve something, I felt uneasy and going against my own nature.
In very young students, who are still trying to find themselves in music (and life), focusing on and participating in competitions creates wrong habits and twisted perspective, all focused on comparing themselves to others and winning, instead on love for music, self discovery and expression, joyful exploration, and developing a sound (music) personality.
Competitions dictate repertoire too, so instead of choosing the pieces which young people would like and enjoy to play, pieces that 'speak' to them, engage them in the process of discovery and experimenting with their own sensibility and feelings, the programme gets chosen for them, aiming at what is competitive, impressive and flashy, and what could eventually lead to winning a competition.
Music is not about who is better or who won this or that prize. Setting such standards and imbedding such ideas in young minds is not only wrong but also highly damaging.
Competitions only make sense to some degree if they provide already well formed young musicians with concerts and funds for future development (masterclasses, workshops etc.). But then again - only winners get that. What about all those equally talented young people who don't get any prize ? The impact that 'losing' could make on a development of their music personality, performing confidence, and finally on their soul could be quite negative and often damaging.
In today's classical music world it is firmly believed though that there is no other way to launch a career than to win a prestigious competition. It is what music industry would like us to believe, that is.
But, does a young musician really need to beat others to prove his or her value ?
To quote Maria João Pires:
"Today music contests are responsible for the future disappearance of music, for destruction of everything, for the impossibility of young people to be able to express themselves as we did and to become artists, musicians. Contests give a perspective that is totally fake, artificial, wrong, which leads us to only have illusions of things that don't exist. How can you be an artist and the goal is to win ? But win what ?
To compete always damages your soul."
So how about promoting collaboration, inclusiveness, cooperation across different generations, sharing ideas, strengthened with mutual respect and celebrating our differences, where all of us can be winners, instead of promoting competitiveness that only creates division, conflict and separation ?
It is up to us to find and develop healthier ways and more positive opportunities for young musicians to enter and establish themselves in the lifelong process of music making, where love for exploring and expressing themselves through music and sharing that with others becomes and remains the very first drive and a cherished priority at all times.
And at 'Alternative Approach to Music' it is exactly what we do.
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