03-07-2014, 09:50 AM
So, about two weeks ago I participated in a state-wide concerto competition with a piece I've been working on since September and lost. But a week ago my piano instructor informed me of another competition which happened yesterday. Not having planned on entering, I entered and played yesterday. I thought I did terribly. I was depressed all of last night because of it.
When I performed last night, it was for a room only of five judges (not open to the public) and one other participant. This participant, John, is a guy I've been in classes with for the last two years. I used to have quite a crush on him, but that stopped when I realized what a jerk he is to me for some reason. In two years he's never acknowledged my existence in spite of several attempts on my part to make jokes and be generally very friendly to him. He's very well liked by the students and professors... kind of the golden star of the music department (most people probably don't even know my name still) who can do no wrong.
When I got to school today I had tried to completely move on from the competition because it was painful to think about. When I passed the seating area in the building where students sit and hang out (with my head down), John was sitting there holding court. I then heard him shout to me "Wade... congratulations." My first thought was that he was being a dick by implying "congratulations for even having the balls to try last night." I told him congratulations back and said that I really enjoyed the piece he performed (and I meant it). We actually had a fairly cordial conversation then about the pieces we played and decided that perhaps he wasn't being a dick.
Then I checked my email.... turns out.... I won (John got second place, so my return congratulations was actually appropriate). Couldn't fucking believe it. Still can't, really. This means that I'll actually be playing my concerto with an actual symphony orchestra in a couple of months. Very terrifying, but very exciting.
So yeah, I had a pretty good day.
When I performed last night, it was for a room only of five judges (not open to the public) and one other participant. This participant, John, is a guy I've been in classes with for the last two years. I used to have quite a crush on him, but that stopped when I realized what a jerk he is to me for some reason. In two years he's never acknowledged my existence in spite of several attempts on my part to make jokes and be generally very friendly to him. He's very well liked by the students and professors... kind of the golden star of the music department (most people probably don't even know my name still) who can do no wrong.
When I got to school today I had tried to completely move on from the competition because it was painful to think about. When I passed the seating area in the building where students sit and hang out (with my head down), John was sitting there holding court. I then heard him shout to me "Wade... congratulations." My first thought was that he was being a dick by implying "congratulations for even having the balls to try last night." I told him congratulations back and said that I really enjoyed the piece he performed (and I meant it). We actually had a fairly cordial conversation then about the pieces we played and decided that perhaps he wasn't being a dick.
Then I checked my email.... turns out.... I won (John got second place, so my return congratulations was actually appropriate). Couldn't fucking believe it. Still can't, really. This means that I'll actually be playing my concerto with an actual symphony orchestra in a couple of months. Very terrifying, but very exciting.
So yeah, I had a pretty good day.
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