AMP Hosts Weeklong Adjudications to Propel Academy Students’ Artistic Growth
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From May 6th to 10th, AMP hosted its annual adjudications of the 2023-2024 AMP Academy students. Adjudications are performance-based exams that commonly occur during music festivals, auditions, and competitions. Adjudicators listened and evaluated performances while offering feedback based on certain criteria. The adjudicators consisted of educators and individuals holding doctoral degrees in their respective disciplines: Dr. Concong Bi and Katerina Rakestraw (strings), Dr. Thomas Kim (winds, brass, and percussion), Letricia Henson (voice), and Dr. Pamela Burns-Bell (voice).
AMP Academy Adjudications include scales, arpeggios, and sight-singing exercises to assess the skills students have developed during their private lessons. “These exams evaluate our students’ artistic and musical progress, helping us tailor our services to better serve them and their families,” says Associate Director of AMP Academy, Amber Smith.
“I’m here to hear students play scales and two solo pieces. I’m looking for fluency in rhythm, tone, and their technique”, says Dr. Thomas Kim. “This is only my first year as an adjudicator, but I see a lot of talent and passion in these students, and the hard work of their teachers behind this. I really respect that.”
Students who successfully pass adjudications and fulfill the recital performance requirements maintain their place in AMP Academy, while those who don’t obtain a passing score must re-apply in the fall. The ultimate goal of adjudications is to better prepare students to confidently present themselves in front of professional musicians and showcase their artistic abilities.
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Maya at her AMP Academy adjudications.
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Preston at his AMP Academy adjudications.
“Even if she doesn’t sing her whole life, it’s helping her to learn to work for a goal. She’s learning diligence in disappointment and success.”
-Jennifer, AMP Parent and Maya’s mother