For those readers outside Utah, know that the Sterling Scholar contest is likely the most competitive event in terms of possibilities for music scholarships in the state. It isn’t strictly a music competition. In the contest, other disciplines compete in their separate categories as well.

For example, there is a state Sterling Scholar recipient in Mathematics, Family and Consumer Science, Business Management, English, and a slew of other subjects. Also, the participants are nominated not just for their talent in their discipline, but they are expected to show prowess academically and in service and leadership.

I was privileged to be selected as a judge this year for the Instrumental Music category for a regional competition. Our job as judges was to narrow the field from 26 contestants (1 nominee from each school in the area) to four who would advance to the state competition. This was done by looking over a portfolio each contestant put together, detailing their involvement in the four criteria; selecting twelve of those for in-person auditions and interviews; then selecting four high achievers from that final group to advance to the final competition.

These high school seniors were wise beyond their years. I was impressed by them. Here are some of the answers they gave in their interviews about lessons they’d learned:

• I learned I don’t have to be perfect.
• I learned that passion for music is more important than technique.
• I’d love to have a career in music, but I value stability. Even though I plan to major in something else, music will always be a part of my life in one way or another.
• The most progress happens, not from short bursts of motivation, but during the times I don’t want to practice but I do it anyway.

Selecting the finalists was hard. In a couple of cases, it was really splitting hairs at the end. We loved all the thoughtful responses and moving and impressive performances. Yet we had to rely on more subjective impressions sometimes, like charismatic presentation during the interview, especially when all other considerations were basically equal.

If you are a music teacher in Utah, you should know that your students are listening and internalizing the important lessons you teach. My advice would be to never assume they aren't hearing you! In regard to finalists and nonfinalists alike, I was impressed by their talent, by the hope and poise in their demeanor, their tenacity in tough situations, and the lessons they described that they were learning. I was grateful to have the opportunity to marvel at the work these participants put in for a worthy pursuit, and more than that, who they were becoming as citizens in their communities.