How Competition Ruins Music
Music competitions are stifling the creative spirit they’re supposed to nurture. Art: Jessica Yampolsky
By SAMUEL JACOBOWITZ
"Start 'em young," they say. It's as if the world has this grand conspiracy to transform every toddler into a music prodigy before they can even spell “Mozart.” Parents embark on these escapades, armed with the belief that their toddler will become the next Chopin, winning the Tchaikovsky competition and becoming a world-renowned pianist.
Parents envision their children as extensions of themselves — a second chance at playing at Carnegie Hall, winning a Grammy, or securing a multi-million dollar contract with a record label. But oftentimes parents' desire for their progeny’s musical “success” leads to many unintended consequences that harm their children’s artistic future.
Musicians are absorbed by competition. Music conservatories have studios full of musicians who play the same instrument, all looking to win an orchestral job. It is inevitable that at a higher level, competition must exist. Frankly, our entire economic system is based on competition. However, unlike many other activities, music is unique; it is an art form that is intended to break the conformities of society, not to foster them. To understand why music must rise above competition, we must appreciate what makes it so unique.
Music education offers students many cognitive, emotional, and social advantages and fosters skills and qualities that profoundly impact development. It enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical skills, and students who engage in music education tend to perform better academically in subjects like mathematics and language arts.
Furthermore, music provides a unique outlet for self-expression and emotional exploration, allowing students to convey their feelings. "Music is about speaking to the soul and expressing yourself through an art form,” Philip Kong ‘25 says. “When I play music, I block everything else out and focus solely on the art I am trying to create."
Music fosters cultural awareness and appreciation. It exposes students to diverse musical styles and traditions worldwide, broadening their horizons and promoting respect for different cultures. "I enjoy playing music because I am able to play the music of those who have come before me,” Steven Chelney '25 says. “I love to learn about the history of jazz and how art has led to the progress of society."
It is clear that music’s importance is profound and is far greater than the physical act of playing or figuring out “who is better than whom.” However, despite the overwhelming evidence of music’s far-reaching impact, parents and musicians still often forget the deeper meaning of music and are bound by comparison.
But why? What makes parents and musicians treat music like a competition?
The Social Comparison Theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, aims to provide an explanation to this question. It states that humans desire self-evaluation and by comparing themselves to others, they reduce uncertainty. However, in the arts, musicians and parents must remember that the idea of comparison as a means of self-evaluation is incredibly dangerous.
Studies suggest that when musicians compare themselves to others, they are more likely to be self-deprecating and less likely to collaborate with others and be creative in their art, ultimately inhibiting their potential. This means that competition can decrease the uniqueness of music and the impact it can and should have.
“There will always be someone out there who is ‘better,’ so the value of comparison is really in finding inspiration from others,” says Midwood music teacher Mr. Todd Hayen.
“As a band director, it is inspiring to hear students improving every day and it reminds me to keep practicing myself,” he says. “There is always more to learn.”
In a competitive world, it is easy to lump music together with other competitive tasks; however, it is vital to remember that music is unique. The value of music lies not in winning medals but in cultivating lifelong learners and creative people. Whether you are a musician, a parent of a musician, or just an avid listener, the value of music lies not in how much better someone sounds than someone else but in the personal change that music fosters. To fully experience the impact of music on society, we must throw away the shackles of comparison and embrace instead the transformative power of artistic expression.