Nicholas participated in his first official National Piano Playing Auditions today at his piano school.  His teacher had him play 2 songs memorized: Suzuki’s French Children’s Song and Joseph Haydn’s Quadrille.  She also had him practice tons of other things like chord variations, arpeggios, and the like in anticipation of the judge making him do any of those along with scales.  Turns out the judge merely wanted to hear him play his two songs and the audition was over so quick. Neither the teacher nor the parents were allowed in the audition room, but when Nicholas emerged from the room, he was all smiles with his certificate in hand.  Whew I thought…  he passed!  He did not make honor roll but heck if I cared, I never did either.  I was both relieved and happy that this was over.  I’ve been practicing with him for weeks at odd hours of the night and during the weekends almost till the last minute…. more because I didn’t want him to end up being disappointed with the results than anything else. The only comment the judge made emphasis on was the need for more dynamics in his playing.  Otherwise, this was the note she wrote to him along with the report card (marked with 18 “special Commendations” and 0 “Needs Attention”):

Congratulations Nicholas! Your 1st Guild Audition! Well done! Do be sure to count as you practice and play for a regular steady beat.  You are off to a good start.