Apples of Gold — Learning

The good thing about performing in competitions is the learning process:

The hardest lesson about competing is learning to accept constructive criticism. After you've worked on a selection for an entire semester and you've even excelled in your state, it's hard to imagine that anyone would have anything but praise for you. But when you have fresh ears and eyes before you, they may hear and see things differently and may have an entirely innovative approach to stretch you.
The more comments you get, the more possibilities you have to help you next time!
Remember that a competition is not an end unto itself. In other words, you don't compete just to compete! You're competing to make yourself a more polished performer, a more sensitive critic, a more productive citizen, and a more beautiful Christian. Taking what you've learned here and putting it to good use is the ultimate picture of golden apples in silver frames.