International competitions are not just for those with overseas experience or a distinguished list of awards.

What's important is to present your current performance to an audience and gain experience that will lead to further growth. The Romania International Music Competition is open to high school students, music college students, general university students, and young performers who are participating in an international competition for the first time.

Can I participate even if it's my first international competition?

Many people wonder, "Is it okay to submit my own performance?"

However, the Romania International Music Competition does not have a recording screening process; participants perform in actual concert halls from the preliminary rounds onward. Therefore, there is no risk of being eliminated in the recording screening and missing out on a stage performance; all applicants are guaranteed to gain stage experience.

Competitions are not just for accomplished performers. A major reason for participating is to deeply study the piece in preparation for the performance and to test one's current abilities on stage.

Experiences that can only be gained through face-to-face performances

The Romania International Music Competition places great importance on in-person performances.

With recordings and videos, you can retake them until you're satisfied. On the other hand, on a live stage, you have to perform amidst elements that cannot be captured in recordings, such as the acoustics of the hall, the atmosphere of the audience, and the time spent waiting backstage.

The parts where I was nervous and couldn't play as well as I wanted, and the moments when I was able to concentrate on the music more than I expected, are all experiences that can only be gained by actually performing on stage.

Each of these experiences becomes valuable material for reflecting on your own playing and using that to improve your next practice session or performance.

We need to hone not only our technical skills, but also our ability to deliver music to others.

In this competition, in addition to performance technique, emphasis is placed on individuality, expression, future potential, and a performance that connects with the audience.

Therefore, instead of just aiming to avoid making mistakes in the notes, it's important to think about "how you want people to listen to this song."

Choosing costumes that match the mood of the song, entering and exiting the stage, and your demeanor before and after the performance are all part of the preparation for delivering the music. Rather than focusing on extravagance, think about creating a stage that suits the world of the work you want to express.

Watching other participants perform can also be an opportunity for growth.

After you've finished your own performance, I recommend listening to other participants' performances as much as possible.

Even with the same instrument, each person will have a different tone, sense of timing, and way of phrasing. You can also get hints for expression from other fields, such as vocal music, string instruments, wind instruments, percussion, and ensemble playing.

The report from the 21st competition also recommended listening to each other's performances during the final round. By considering "why a performance made an impression" rather than just looking at the rankings, you can gain insights beyond the judging results.

Things to prepare before your first participation

If this is your first time participating, it's helpful not only to prepare your performance pieces but also to imagine the flow of the day.

Confirming details such as transportation to the venue, registration, waiting backstage, how to spend time after the performance, and whether or not to attend the awards ceremony in advance will make it easier to concentrate on your performance on the day of the event.

To focus on the performance itself, it's a good idea to visualize and prepare for the day's events beforehand.

summary

It's natural to feel anxious and nervous about your first international competition.

The experience of preparing for the actual performance, playing in the hall, and learning from the performances of other participants will lead to significant growth in the future.

Competitions don't always yield the results you hoped for. The disappointment and shock of not winning an award are not easily overcome, but even glamorous artists grow through many challenges and disappointing experiences.

Instead of focusing solely on the results, why not take on this valuable opportunity to express your own music on stage?