We started out in a practice room with a piano (maybe the same one as ours) that really, I mean really, agreed with Dylan. He played so well on this piano that it inspired a lot of confidence for the real gig! He got 15 minutes in this room. He was Contestant Number One, which was nice because the audience was small. His teacher did not want the other students to watch the ones before them. I did not take pictures during his performance so as not to distract him.
Waiting for the decisions of the judges was hard!
This was the piano set-up with the judging table set up in front of it. There were three judges who all wrote comment sheets about each player. They were wonderfully positive in the comments!
When he couldn't wait any longer for the final calls, I had to pull out a little surprise I had up my sleeve: a candy bouquet! (You can see he was losing it by now...)
Here are all of the contestants, the judges, Dennis Alexander, and the owner of the School of Music. All contestants in his age group were either 7 or 8. (I know-- he looks older.)
After all contestants sat down, the winners were called back up to the stage. Dylan got Honorable Mention! We were not expecting that and were so surprised and happy! No trophy for Honorable Mention, but he got a diploma and $20 to spend at the music store!
Here he is with his teacher, who has worked tirelessly preparing with him for months!
