Gobind Jania successfully score a Superior Ratings in National PianoAuditions

 The Piano Guild, as they are called (a division of the American College of Musicians), was founded in 1929 by Dr. Irl Allison. Forty-six entrants participated in the first audition (then called a "tournament") at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Since that time, the Guild has grown to more than 850 audition centers where thousands of students enroll annually in our international auditions, which are held throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Ms. Jennifer Larsen, herself a Major in Music from University of California Berkeley, had been working hard on both Kapoor Siblings. Jennifer  encouraged Gobind and Jania to participate in the National Piano Playing Auditions for Elementary Class 2015 in Section D. The test was on four pieces which were to be memorized. One of the pieces was given to Jania only a week ago, so Shiv had to work hard additionally on her to be thoroughly prepared for facing the audition.

Students are judged on individual merit in the areas of accuracy, continuity, phrasing, pedaling, dynamics, rhythm, temp, tone, interpretation, style and technique. 

The students are split by level and can receive one of the following grades based on their performances: failing, fair, good, very good, excellent, up to superior and superior plus. The superior category is the goal for all of Ms. Larsen's students to strive for as they are judged each year. 

Shiv and Shilpy, accompanied by little Geet, drove Gobind and Jania to a distance of 30 miles in Clayton, Ca for sitting in the audition. The family prayed in the Hayward Gurdwara before leaving for the appointed place. They were; however, both nervous and excited.

Membership Certificate for Gobind Kapoor who scored the highest rating at Superior level for the Memorised pieces.

Report Card

Analysis Chart

Gobind proudly displays his certificate with his teacher Jennifer Larsen

The Bronze Pin won by Gobind Kapoor

Membership Certificate for Jania Kapoor who scored highest Superior Rating level for Memorised pieces.

Detailed Report Card 

Analysis Chart

Jania too scored highest Superior rating keeping the teacher's spirits high.

Another Bronze Pin won by Jania Kapoor

The Piano Guild

The Piano Guild is open to students of all ages and levels. The purpose of the auditions is to establish goals for the earliest beginner as well as the advanced student. These goals attempt to give music study some definite direction and provide a measurement for progress. As a result, a piano curriculum encompassing the best of piano literature and stressing American compositions has been standardized. All piano students have a yearly opportunity to attain these goals through non-competitive adjudication in the National Piano Playing Auditions. Auditions are private (student and judge only) with well-qualified musicians serving as judges. 

Jennifer Larsen explains the ratings scored by Kapoor siblings.

Students may participate in Guild Auditions in many classifications; the pieces selected may be memorized or unmemorized, they may present a duet program, a jazz/pop program, an all Bach program, an all sonatina program, or a program in social music (consisting of hymns, patriotic and folk songs). 

Every year a student enters Auditions, he/she will receive the following rewards: 

1. A Membership Certificate according to classification.
2. An NFSM Membership Pin in Bronze (Pledge, Local & District), Silver (State), or Gold (National or International.) Hobbyists also receive a bronze pin. 
3. A copy Analysis Chart and Report Card signed by the Guild examiner. 
4. The student’s name on his/her teacher’s NFSM Certificate.
5. His/her name listed and photo published in Piano Guild Notes in the fifth, tenth, or fifteenth year as a National or International Winner.

Yearly auditions are held in over 850 US cities and several foreign countries. Students are adjudicated by an international panel of judges and receive report cards, certificates, and fraternity pins. Programs are diversified to meet the needs of both students and teachers. Programs are flexible and include repertoire as well as technical goals (musicianship phases). A variety of programs are available in which students can enroll:

Extensive practice had been going on in the house after Ma. Jennifer Larsen conducted special classes. Shiv followed it up by supervising the detailed nuances of the music compositions. I was glad to observe that Shiv was able to translate the music language from his mind to that in Gobind and Jania who were able to execute his commands correctly and capably.

Ms. Jennifer Larsen also arranged rehearsal Concerts to give them needed confidence. The mistakes at these concerts were meticulously corrected and practiced again and again. Our house rejoiced in sweet music through out past few weeks. Thanks Ms. Jennifer Larsen for your dedicated coaching and teaching a new art to Gobind and Jania. 

The Kapoor family is overjoyed with the results of first major challenge. We are sure that Gobind and Jania remain humble after their superb performance and look forward to achieving higher goals in the life to come.