need advice

[pandu_rangan]

I live in Arizona and its cleveland fever here (and everywhere I travel).My son also has got the bug and wants to participate in the cleveland aradhana competitions this year.He has great talent,gives soulful concerts, learns from a not so popular teacher in India and has absolutely zero contacts with any prospective judges or the committee.He doesn't want to relocate to India to become a full time musician when he grows up but is very serious about music and plans to give concerts in US and During december seasons in India.Apparently his friends have been talking about participating in the cleveland competitions and winning to get the "visibility".

Now comes the big question. Should I take him? It will indeed cost a fortune .With my tight financial situation, I am ready to do it for him.How much ever I want to believe that things are fair over there,people have been advising other ways. Suggestions please.

[MaheshS]

If I were you, I would do it, simply for the exposure to professionals, organisers and students [who have been there before etc]. It would also be a nice platform to judge for himself where he is by looking at other participants. Ignore the politics and what not, but this should be an invaluable experience for him and you.

I wish your son all the very best and success, much impressed by his dedication to the art. I don't sing or play any instrument but have been "into" music and I listen for the pleasure of it. Nothing more,nothing less!!

[vasanthakokilam]

>It would also be a nice platform to judge for himself where he is by looking at other participants.

Mahesh, that is a good point.

pandu_rangan, good luck to you and your son. You say your financial situation is tight. So it is definitely a cost-benefit calculation. As you wrote, it can get quite expensive to participate at Cleveland. If participating and winning in competitions is the path your son wants to try, has he participated in any local or regional competitions ( somewhere closer by than Cleveland )?

[nadhasudha]

My 2 cents about all music competitions

Music is not mathematics. There is an element of subjectivity. Unless all the contestants are asked to sing the same krithi, it is nearly impossible to be objective. Any competition where you do not get a sheet which lists the criteria you are being judged against and how you fared in those criteria in comparison to your fellow contestants will have an element of subjectivity. If you or your child are not prepared to handle this you should not go to any competitions.

[rajeshnat]

Pandu_Rangan
I will go with MaheshS, but really make sure that your son has reached considerably higher quality, it should not be a case of exposing bit too soon.

I dont know if it is there during this time,just try subscribing to the webcast and just initially watch along with your son, then see how he calibrates to those who "really perform well "and then make a direct participation . Of course age of your son etc are other crucial parameters for you to make decisions, that you can keep it private, but it is indeed an important decision point.

That was My $0.02 ,Best wishes to your son.

[pandu_rangan]

>It would also be a nice platform to judge for himself where he is by looking at other participants.

Mahesh, that is a good point.

pandu_rangan, good luck to you and your son. You say your financial situation is tight. So it is definitely a cost-benefit calculation. As you wrote, it can get quite expensive to participate at Cleveland. If participating and winning in competitions is the path your son wants to try, has he participated in any local or regional competitions ( somewhere closer by than Cleveland )?

No competitions so far. He has always maintained that learning, performing, and the appreciations from the senior citizens( who visit from india) in local temples is all he wants,and now this interest to compete is all of a sudden.probably the peer pressure most of the teenagers succumb to?

[Vijayakumar]

Mr Pandu Rangan

My two cents are- as life is always a "likelihood" than certainty, its always better to pray and give it a sincere try. Nothing wrong in it.
But one thing i dont get is, why does it cost a fortune for even people who live in the US for participating in Cleveland festival? What I mean is what is the cost involved?

[asangeetha]

Anyone can participate in a competition and aspiring to win , is definitely not a bad idea. It gives focus and a tangible goal for any student. But it is not enough to have talent and the drive alone. It requires serious training and attention from an able guru. And my view is that, unless the fundamentals are taught and practiced throughout the learning process irrespective of competition preparation, its hard to cram in things in the last minute. if a student is not prepared, its a good idea to watch the proceedings to get an idea, then go back and work on the fundamentals if lacking.

The idea of competition in my opinion is to elevate the standards of music teaching and learning to a higher level and is a good thing. But ultimately music is about expression and having the ability to communicate to the audience at a deeper level. Winning or losing in a competition should not detract any student from this higher goal. My 2 cents.

[VK RAMAN]

pandu_rangan: Are there enough students in Arizona who can organize such a competition over there in league with Aradhana and or music Idol organizers. Perhaps that may be a starting point

[cmlover]

Don't do it now
Test the waters first. Let him first offer concerts in NA and get the feedback.
Take a test trip to Cleveland to observe the competitions (not participate).
That is when he can contact with Vidwans who may be willing to train him remote using skype and provide feedback.
It will be a mental trauma for him to participate and lose!
The competition is fair AFAIK, but is tough. Mental preparation is equally needed in addition to
musical skills.
How old is he? Why the hurry?
GOOD LUCK....

[Nick H]

The competition is fair AFAIK, but is tough. Mental preparation is equally needed...

Be ready for the knocks and the disappointments, and ready to accept and live with what might be perceived as being unfair.

Probably a toughening-up exercise, but with the wonderful added ingredients as mentioned from post #2 onwards.

[pandu_rangan]

Mr Pandu Rangan

My two cents are- as life is always a "likelihood" than certainty, its always better to pray and give it a sincere try. Nothing wrong in it.
But one thing i dont get is, why does it cost a fortune for even people who live in the US for participating in Cleveland festival? What I mean is what is the cost involved?

the cost involves airfare $ 2000.00( for a family of 5) +$ 500.00 for hotel for 4 nights + $400.00 for food,+ $200.00 for cab charges +300.00 for registration for competition( 60.00 per category). Adds up to appx $ 3500.00.!! Its a big amount for single income families if you own a house,and have an older kid in a private university!

[pandu_rangan]

pandu_rangan: Are there enough students in Arizona who can organize such a competition over there in league with Aradhana and or music Idol organizers. Perhaps that may be a starting point

Not where i live. Nothing is as attractive as cleveland!

[pandu_rangan]

Don't do it now
Test the waters first. Let him first offer concerts in NA and get the feedback.
Take a test trip to Cleveland to observe the competitions (not participate).
That is when he can contact with Vidwans who may be willing to train him remote using skype and provide feedback.
It will be a mental trauma for him to participate and lose!
The competition is fair AFAIK, but is tough. Mental preparation is equally needed in addition to
musical skills.
How old is he? Why the hurry?
GOOD LUCK....

He is 16

[mishram]

>>the cost involves airfare $ 2000.00( for a family of 5) +$ 500.00 for hotel for 4 nights + $400.00 for food,+ $200.00 for cab charges +300.00 for registration for competition( 60.00 per category). Adds up to appx $ 3500.00.!! Its a big amount for single income families if you own a house,and have an older kid in a private university!<<

I understand this is a pretty expensive affair. But if the child is really talented and interested, he should be encouraged at any cost. The best option would be for one of the parents (instead of 5) to accompany the child and enroll him in one or 2 competitions to start with. Instead of staying for the entire session, you can choose to stay for 2-3 days - cost savings everywhere!

[mohan]

An ex-student of mine travelled from California for the Cleveland competitions last year. Apparently it was a great experience and he ended up winning one category. That said, the boy's family doesn't think they will do it again for another few years due to the costs involved.

So my advice, is to go and be part of the experience. Your son will hopefully get some useful feedback from the judges and be able to compare himself to other students of his similar age. Hopefully you can also attend some concerts while you are there.

[Sundara Rajan]

If finance is a problem, why not just the two of you travel to Cleveland and participate ? You can video tape some of the proceedings and his performance for the rest of family to enjoy later. All five of you may not be allowed to stay in one room in any hotel/motel in the US and two rooms will cost much more than $500 for a week. While living in upstate New York, I used to drive to Cleveland arAdhana. Having moved to Florida, living on Social Security and pension, I have to forego the Cleveland arAdhana. Now they charge for every concert too ! Are there any competitions in nearby locations as California, where he could test the waters? Recently, Jaya TV held competitions in San Jose. Perhaps he could try next year for Jaya TV in CA and the whole family could drive. Good luck to your son.

[Vijayakumar]

I still suggest that you give it a try Mr Pandu rang. i will pray for his recognition!

[pandu_rangan]

Thanks to everyone for their advice, well wishes and personal email messages.

[VK RAMAN]

There may be a lot of parents in U.S who are in the same boat as you are pandu_rangan; decide what is good for your son and family financial situation.

[rapper]

Pandu_rangan

CMANA in NJ has competitions on Labor Day every year.last year they reimbursed air fare for winners who came out of state. Look in their website.