For music students, the journey of learning an instrument or developing their vocal abilities is one filled with dedication, discipline, and creativity. While regular practice and music lessons form the core of this journey, participating in music competitions offers unique benefits that can significantly enhance a student’s growth.
As a music teacher with nearly 30 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of guiding many students through the journey of participating in both local and international music competitions. It’s always an incredible experience to see how the process helps students grow in their craft, shape their character, and achieve accolades that stand as a testament to their dedication and hard work.
This journey is also a wonderfully collaborative effort with the parents who sacrificially invest in their children’s musical growth and cheer them on through every performance. Their support truly makes a difference, creating an environment where students can thrive and reach their highest potential.
In this blog, we’ll explore the many ways music competitions contribute to a student’s overall growth and development
1. Goal Setting and Motivation
One of the greatest benefits of music competitions is the motivation they inspire. Competitions set a clear deadline and challenge students to achieve specific goals within a certain timeframe. Preparing for a competition often requires a higher level of commitment than regular practice, as students work to refine their pieces, perfect their techniques, and perform at their best. This process not only keeps students motivated but also teaches them how to set and work toward achievable goals, a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.
2. An Opportunity to Showcase Skills
Music competitions provide a valuable platform for students to showcase their hard-earned skills and share their musical talent with a broader audience. This exposure allows them to demonstrate their proficiency and artistry in front of an audience, judges, and other musicians, helping them build confidence and pride in their achievements. Showcasing their skills in a competitive setting also gives students a sense of accomplishment, encouraging them to continue improving and exploring their musical abilities.
3. Building Resilience and Learning from Critique
Music competitions are intense experiences that require resilience, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure. In these settings, students learn how to handle both nerves and the possibility of not winning, which is an invaluable lesson in resilience. Moreover, competitions often provide constructive feedback from judges, allowing students to gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback helps students build a growth-oriented mindset, where they view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than setbacks.
4. Enhancing Confidence and Stage Presence
Performing in front of an audience, whether it’s small or large, helps music students build confidence in their abilities. Stage presence is a key part of musical performance, and the more comfortable students become in front of an audience, the better they can express themselves through their music. Over time, students who participate in competitions become more confident, not only in their musical abilities but also in other areas of their lives where public speaking, presentations, or interviews are required.
5. Networking and Building Connections
Music competitions bring together students, teachers, and professionals from diverse musical backgrounds. These events create an environment where students can network with fellow musicians who share their interests and passions, which can lead to valuable friendships, collaborations, and even future career opportunities. Meeting and learning from others in the field can broaden students’ perspectives and give them insights into different musical styles, techniques, and career paths.
6. Cultivating Discipline and Time Management
Preparing for a music competition requires structured and consistent practice, as well as careful planning to balance practice with other academic and personal commitments. This process cultivates discipline, teaching students the importance of time management, dedication, and persistence. These qualities will benefit students well beyond their musical pursuits, helping them to manage their time and responsibilities effectively in any field they choose.
7. Recognition and Scholarship Opportunities
Some music competitions offer scholarships, awards, or other forms of recognition that can greatly benefit a student’s educational journey. Winning or even placing in a competition can open doors to further studies, workshops, and other programs. Such accolades also look impressive on college applications and can make students more competitive scholarship candidates, even for programs outside of music. Recognized accomplishments in music competitions can highlight a student’s discipline, creativity, and dedication to a skill, making them stand out in applications and auditions.
8. Gaining Exposure to Professional Standards
In a competitive setting, students are exposed to a high level of professionalism and performance standards. Watching other participants can be inspiring and motivating, showing students what they can achieve with hard work and dedication. Competitions give students a realistic view of what it takes to excel in their field, teaching them to appreciate the dedication and artistry that go into being a musician. This exposure helps them refine their goals, encouraging them to continuously improve and aim for higher standards.
9. Cultivating a Healthy Competitive Spirit
Competitions can be an effective way to cultivate a healthy competitive spirit. Students learn how to handle both wins and losses gracefully, understanding that each outcome is a step on their journey to growth. Competitions help students develop respect for their peers’ talents, allowing them to support and cheer for others while striving for their personal best. This positive outlook on competition can help students become well-rounded individuals who value teamwork and camaraderie in addition to individual achievements.
10. Personal Growth and Emotional Expression
Music competitions encourage students to explore their emotional depth and express it through their performances. Preparing for competitions often involves interpreting pieces on a deeper level, helping students connect with their music emotionally. This process of emotional expression and personal growth can be transformative, allowing students to gain a better understanding of themselves and develop empathy for others. Music, after all, is a universal language that connects us all, and competitions provide a platform for students to share their unique musical voices with the world.
11. Inspiring Career Aspirations and Professional Opportunities
Participating in music competitions can open students’ eyes to the possibility of a career in music. Performing for an audience and receiving feedback from professionals can help students envision a future where their passion for music becomes a full-time profession. Through these competitions, they gain a sense of what it takes to be a professional musician and might even start to see music as a viable career path. Additionally, success in competitions often leads to further opportunities, such as auditions for paid roles in professional productions, ensembles, or orchestras. These auditions can provide a stepping stone into the professional music world, where students begin to build a reputation and network that may shape their future careers.
Conclusion
Participating in music competitions provides music students with invaluable experiences that go beyond just performing. From building confidence and resilience to fostering discipline and networking, these events offer benefits that contribute to students’ personal and professional growth. Music competitions shape students into well-rounded individuals who are not only skilled musicians but also resilient, motivated, and empathetic people.
Whether you’re a parent considering competitions for your child or a student weighing the benefits, remember that music competitions can be a rewarding step in the musical journey.
For further reading on the lifelong benefits of a musical education, be sure to check out our previous blog post, Beyond the Classroom: The Lifelong Benefits of a Musical Education, [here] or explore our website [here] to learn more about our music programs.