Heidi Powell

Second-prize winner Heidi Powell, ('01 Maine) will receive a master of music degree in historical performance in 2001; her undergraduate degree is from the Indiana University School of Music. This past year was her first studying with Marilyn McDonald--indeed, it was a primary reason why she chose Oberlin. She also works as McDonald's assistant, helping her teach Baroque violin.

Powell says that the best piece of pre-competition advice McDonald ever gave her is: "Know your music cold, so the tension and stress won't phase you."

Besides knowing the music "cold," McDonald says preparing for competition also means "preparing psychologically for the idea of being judged against your peers. I try to help students with the technical and musical aspects of the required repertoire--this is usually something of a long-range project--and as the competition nears, one deals with the problems that might arise because of the emotional stress of the event."

Powell played in a number of competitions while still a high school student. She says that competing has always been a chance for her to work really hard for a performance goal, and to prepare the repertoire to the best of her abilities.

"I think I have the same attitude in preparing for competitions as performances," she says. "I just view a competition as a big performance, and I start preparing maybe even a year ahead of time. For me, a big part of the preparation is mental, and getting to the point where I truly trust myself and my abilities."

McDonald's competition advice to Powell to "know the music cold" notwithstanding, it is her general advice about musicianship--"Be true to the music and composer first"--that might have carried the day.

It also might have influenced Powell's reaction upon winning second prize--a reaction that had more to do with the audience than with the award.

"People came to me afterward and said how moved they were by my performance. To have your music speak to people you have never even met, this is the greatest prize."