The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul. ~Johann Sebastian Bach
The day had come. Saturday was the judging.
Although no was was to be in the room where the judging took place, in a church this time, I could hear well from the choir room. Her first piece was excellent except for she hit an extra note next to the one she meant to hit, but it did not faze her in the least. Her recovery without a timing mistake made it almost unnoticeable, except to a mother who had heard it played for months, her piano teacher, and, of course, the judge who was reading the sheet music as she played.
The second piece...I knew as soon as she started it that instead of coming in piano (softer), she began too loudly. She had been struggling with the dynamics of it for the last few weeks, but I though she had it down. There was also one part in a run going down that she had to cross her fourth digit (ring finger) to hit a black key over the the first (thumb) that is on a white key. It was a bit awkward for smaller hands and sometimes that note was played just a bit more softly or delayed just a fraction off the beat, which it was the first time she played it but she nailed it on the repeat.
Thinking she was done, I finally exhaled and waited, but her piano teacher and I looked at each other in surprise as we heard the Princess begin the second piece again. This is not usually done in judging. She began it just like the first time and did not make it through the piece as she messed up. I though that maybe the judge was giving her the opportunity to fix the dynamics on her own, which she did not do. Later the Princess told me that she liked the music so much she asked her to play it again and she also told her that she plays very well for a ten year old. I still think the judge was hoping she would correct her dynamics.
That evening, Miss Trudy, her piano teacher, called to report she scored 95. That was three points better than last year at her first judging. A score of 92 and up is a superior rating earning five points. She now has ten points. When she earns fifteen points, which takes at least three years to do, she will earn a trophy...and she really wants that trophy next year!
~ My Lord, thank you for hearing my prayers and giving her peace so that she could play her best. Thank you for her gift and may she always use it to honor You. ~
