Why exams and competitions matter for young musicians
If you have budding musicians in your life, you know that preparing for exams or competitions can be stressful for the whole family. Exams provide snapshots of how well a student copes under pressure, while also offering motivation, structure, and a clear goal to work toward. As Genevieve Lang notes, exams can motivate practice and help learners stretch themselves, though participation is often optional and not everyone benefits equally.
Many students encounter exams or graded syllabuses from institutions like AMEB, ABRSM, or Suzuki. These programs are widely respected in the music world and can broaden repertoire and technique. Yet the emotional impact of high-stakes moments lingers for some young performers. The goal is to balance opportunity with wellbeing, ensuring preparation builds confidence rather than fear.
What judges are looking for in performance exams
Contrary to a common assumption, examiners aren’t seeking pristine perfection. Tim Li, a Brisbane-based teacher, explains that communication and musical expression often matter more than flawless technique. A student who conveys ideas and emotion can outshine someone who plays perfectly but without connection. Parents can help by encouraging a focus on expressiveness and storytelling in the music, rather than obsessing over every technical detail.
Li also reminds families that the harshest critic can be the student themselves. Framing the experience positively—praising effort, progress, and the joy of playing—can reduce self-imposed pressure and foster resilience.
Practical strategies to reduce stress before the big moment
Experts offer a toolkit to make high-pressure moments feel more manageable. First, simulate performance conditions well in advance. Lang suggests performing for family and friends, or even filming performances and reviewing them later. Regularly practicing under imaginary scrutiny helps students learn to stay present and continue when slips occur.
Even very young children can start with simple simulations—performing to soft toys or household objects—to build routine in handling nerves while keeping the experience light and playful.
Another crucial approach is to shift the narrative from fear of making mistakes to the enjoyment and communication of music. When setbacks happen during a performance, the goal is to keep going. Cottee emphasizes self-compassion: would you speak to a friend the way you speak to yourself after a slip? Kind, constructive self-talk can ease the sting of errors and maintain performance flow.
Managing performance anxiety: turning threat into challenge
Performance anxiety involves physiological responses—adrenaline, faster heart rate, sweaty palms—and cognitive worries about the future. A useful perspective is to treat a high-pressure moment as a challenge that mobilizes talent rather than a threat that could trap it. By reframing the situation, students can better mobilize their skills when it matters most.
Psychologist Anthea Cottee highlights the value of psychological preparation, including mental rehearsal. Practicing not only the piece but also the mental routine—breathing, focus cues, and a reliable plan for what to do if nerves spike—can significantly improve outcomes.
Turning exams and competitions into life skills
Preparation for exams builds structure, discipline, and resilience—skills with broad applicability beyond music. As Li notes, the experience of playing through nerves, accepting imperfection, and continuing with grace translates to school, sports, and later professional life. If a child doesn’t win or pass, there’s still a valuable takeaway: learning how to respond to feedback, adapt, and bounce back from disappointment.
For families, the emphasis should be on love of music and personal growth. When the focus remains on enjoyment and learning rather than just results, young musicians are more likely to engage deeply with practice and performance, building confidence that lasts far beyond exams.
What to do if things don’t go as planned
Failing a test or not winning a competition can sting. Yet most musicians eventually find another path to success, using the experience to shape their practice and stage presence. Encourage your child to articulate what they learned, celebrate the effort, and set a win for the next milestone—no matter how small. Remember, many successful musicians never did exams, and there are multiple routes to a thriving musical career.
Ultimately, exams and competitions are about growth, not just grades. With thoughtful preparation, compassionate support, and a focus on performance as communication, young musicians can harness their nerves and turn them into their greatest musical resource.
