Why Are Competitions So Important? | The Millennial Edit

If there is one thing that these unprecedented and strange times can give us that normal times cannot, it is the ability to view our lives from a new perspective.

In a career where we must forge our own paths to success, there is not always a lot of time to sit back and really look at the world that we operate in and work out what we would ideally like to change.

One thing that I think a lot of classical musicians would change about the career as it stands at the moment would be the nature of competitions within the circuit.

Whilst competitions in artistic careers are by now pretty much a given, it is almost dystopian to think that work which is defined by its expression and free spirit, has its front runners singled out by regimented pigeon holing.

It is a process that a lot of people morally object to, but more often than not, one that people begrudgingly take part in and unfortunately regret the experience of due to the very nature of competitions as an event.

It is an experience where emotions run high, there is a great opportunity for success, but that opportunity is limited to one person, no matter how incredible the playing of other competitors may be.

Competitions can be faceless and brutal.

But they are not all bad.

The most impressive thing that competitions bring to the guitar world is the speed of innovation in the capabilities of our instrument.

Competitions are an opportunity to hear some of the best players of our current generation, they provide an impetus for people from all over the world who are experimenting with new and unorthodox approaches to technique to come together and share their newest discoveries, all under the guise of personal success.

The level of guitar playing has improved impossibly in the last 50 years, and much of that development is due to the competition culture.

Not only are we forced to challenge our physical capabilities because of competition, but we are also encouraged to develop new levels of critique.

Competitions are a perfect opportunity for many players to decide what they do and do not want from their playing and to realign their progress goals.

Learning to be critical is an essential part of classical music study, and learning to apply that to the study process can be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

In these times of reflection, where almost all concerts, festivals and competitions are on hold or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a good time to remember that through all of the frustration and disappointment that competitions bring, the most important part of these events, is unity.

The classical guitar world is a small one, attendance at just a handful of different festivals will introduce you to most important names and provide you with life-long friends.

Having these opportunities to connect with our small and unique world will always remind us that we are only ever brought closer together by these experiences.

After all, the real competition is not between each other, but in forging that career out of clean unchartered territory in a life that honours the daily grind.

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