Polyphony - Professional Resources - Gary Amano and Dennis Hirst interviewed on music competitions - Interview

American Music Teacher, April-May, 2003 by Jane Magrath

JM: What can be done in your opinion?

GA: I do know that MTNA is now providing some financial support for competitors for division and national auditions. Ultimately, all competitions are only as good as their judges. It is therefore imperative that only good, qualified judges be selected for any competition.

In addition to judges, there are many decisions that need to be based on the needs of the students and not made just for the sake of expediency. These include when to have the competition (A few days after the Christmas-New Year's holiday is not good for anyone.), the location, the condition of the pianos, even-handed adherence to the rules and the list could go on and on. Perhaps there will never be the perfect competition, but just like the performance, we should always aspire to get closer to the ideal.

Gary Amano is director of the piano program at Utah State University and assistant music department head. His students have been winners in MTNA competitions at all levels.

Dennis Hirst is assistant professor of music at Utah State University and the artistic and administrative director of the Wassermann Festival.

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--Jane Magrath Norman, Oklahoma Jane is internationally known as a pianist, author, clinician and teacher. She is professor and director of piano pedagogy at the University of Oklahoma.