Overview

No one doubts the value of reviewing a piano student’s work as long as the results are positive. But typical piano competitions benefit only a small number of students. They can be extremely traumatic experiences, especially for inexperienced students. Many parents reasonably question a system that would force children to compete as professionals.

JME is a piano performance evaluation program, not a “contest.” JME enables even young, beginning piano students to participate in a student-friendly evaluation — not a music competition in front of a panel of judges but rather in a one-on-one environment with a piano teacher like their own. JME objectives are to encourage participants to enjoy making music of any kind, to point out where the students are doing well (and not so well) and to encourage them to continue their studies.

Many JME participants have gone on to participate in and win important music competitions. They attribute at least part of their success to the early beginning and positive reinforcement they received from JME.

JME History

Junior Music Experience was started in 1982 by two Cincinnati piano teachers, Lenore Wilkinson (left) and Linda Henn Bergholz (right).

        

They realized that while existing music competitions rewarded a few of the best performers, not much was done for the others. In a world that encourages young people to participate in sports (and acknowledges their efforts with trophies, ribbons and so on — even if they’re not “the best”), nothing was done to recognize similar efforts by piano students.

That’s why Ms. Wilkinson and Ms. Bergholz started JME. From the beginning, they decided that every JME participant would receive a ribbon and a certificate. There are trophies, too — awards for continued effort over a period of years and others for superior achievements at each evaluation.

From its beginning (with 12 piano students participating at one location), JME has grown to be a twice-yearly event with more than 2000 entries each year in ten different locations in the greater Cincinnati area. More than 100 piano teachers enter their students in Junior Music Experience evaluations, which are held in the spring and autumn.

Junior Music Experience welcomes all Greater Cincinnati area piano teachers to enter their students in a JME Evaluation. There are no membership dues or requirements other than being a judge at least once a year.

Lenore Wilkinson, JME co-founder, dies suddenly

The Cincinnati-area music community was saddened to learn of the death of Lenore Wilkinson, who died unexpectedly in her sleep on July 16, 2006. She was 57 years old.

For more information, go here.

Financing

Most of JME’s financial support comes from entry fees paid by participants. However, these do not completely cover the cost of materials, awards, supplies, fees, postage, facilities and judges’ honoraria — and JME’s outreach programs (Piano Partners, music for needy students). As a result, contributions are welcome. All contributions to JME are tax-deductible; JME is an officially recognized 501C3 organization.

JME Evaluations

Evaluations last approximately 15 minutes. Participants are evaluated on traditional musical criteria: how well they play and — according to the student’s experience — timing, dynamics, accuracy, fingering and so on.

Students are not judged on the kind of music they play. The Directors believe that all forms of music should be encouraged — classical, popular, religious, country, rock, jazz and so on. After all, many great classical musicians started with popular music or jazz (and vice versa).

Students receive a written evaluation in each of the areas mentioned previously, with appropriate comments from the judging teacher, who also awards an over-all score of one to five points:

• Superior — 5 points
• Excellent — 4 points
• Very good — 3 points
• Good — 2 points
• Fair — 1 point

Participants who earn a Superior rating can go on to win another award. In addition, students who continue their music education and enter more than one JME evaluation can accumulate points to earn additional awards.

Awards

One of JME’s primary objectives is to encourage participants to continue their study of music. JME takes extra pleasure in rewarding students who persevere in their efforts. As a result, trophies and other awards are presented to students who accumulate multiples of 15 points.

JME also rewards participants who play exceptionally well at an evaluation.

Awards are presented at semi-annual Award Ceremonies.

For more information, see Awards and Events.

JME Organization

Directors: Linda Henn Bergholz and Lenore Wilkinson.

Teachers — Judges. Well over 100 Cincinnati-area teachers enroll their students in JME Evaluations twice a year. The JME Directors and Coordinators sincerely thank teachers who participate, as their support is essential to JME success. Teachers who enter students are required to be a judge for one day, once a year. This is the only requirement for JME participation; there are no membership dues or other duties. JME judges are paid a small honorarium.

Coordinators. JME Coordinators are volunteers who manage evaluation locations and participate in many aspects of the organization. These are usually teachers who have previously served as judges.

Associates. Upon recommendation by participating teachers, students with extensive JME experience can become JME Associates. These student volunteers assist the Coordinators at the evaluations and perform other services.