Time of evaluation

One of the areas of music I enjoy is to accompany students who play in competitions. It is fun to hear and learn the different songs and to watch as each student improves from year to year. The past six weeks for me have been busy with extra practices but it has been well worth the time.

When I was in high school, I was in competitions for many years and know first hand about the many hours of practicing and correcting and polishing that go into getting a piece of music ready for competition. I understand the sense of having a song well prepared and the nerves that well up in your stomach as you wait for your time before the judge. I know the sinking feeling when you play the wrong scale or forget a certain sharp in that one measure you have gone over and over. I also know the elation of finishing a piece and having done an excellent job.

I have also had the privilege to sit on the other side of the table and be a judge. I know what judges look for and what causes them to mark off points. I get the passion of these judges who want to hear students perform music - not just play notes well. I understand the agony of trying to write not only what needs to be corrected but the good parts that need praise in a very short amount of time.

So when a student comes to practice their piece with the piano accompaniment, I am able to evaluate and point out specific areas that still needs some work. I gladly pass along little tidbits of information that will help them be ready and when the student takes those helpful comments to heart, I have seen the pieces improve to the next reward level. Many students have had a different approach to their competition when they realize they can look forward to the judge's evaluation and can see the comments as insight to where they are strong and what needs to be improved.

I, too, keep practicing and correcting and polishing my life so I will be ready for the final assessment. I am taking to heart evaluations given by mature and experienced believers who love me and want to see me "perform" well with the talents and gifts God has given me. My deepest desire is that when I stand before God at the end of my life, I will, by His grace, have lived my life in such a way that He will reward me with the highest words of praise - "Well done, good and faithful servant".