People Over Programs Podcast

Episode Title: Rewind to Win: The Secret Strength of Simpler Solos

Hosted by: Dr. Christopher McBride, Coordinator of Performing Arts, Grand Strand Schools

[Opening Music – Upbeat jazz or light acoustic strum]

Dr. Christopher McBride: Hello there, phenomenal parents of our district’s performers!
Welcome back to People Over Programs—where we talk honestly about what really matters in arts education: students first, systems second.
I’m Dr. Sharon Robert-Barrett, your school district’s Fine Arts Director, and today we’re diving into something I bet you’ve all thought about—especially if your child dreams of playing or singing their way into college:
“Are we doing enough?”
“Are we picking the right solos?”
“Does it all come down to that one impossible piece?”
Today’s episode is inspired by a brilliant read from our new go-to resource, Accoladi.com. The article is titled: Rewind to Win: The Secret Strength of Simpler Solos
And trust me—it’s got some wisdom every music family needs to hear.

Chapter 1: “The Grade VI Illusion”

So here’s the myth:
To get into college, your student must perform a solo so difficult it makes the judges weep, the piano accompanist sweat, and the audience tremble.
Yeah, not so much.
In reality? Most auditions aren’t won with a solo that’s impossible to pull off—they’re won with a solo that’s well-prepared, well-played, and well-chosen for that student’s story.
A polished Grade IV with personality will beat a shaky Grade VI almost every time.

Chapter 2: “The Timeline That Tells the Story”

In our district, we’re using Accoladi as a tool to help students build something powerful:
A repertoire timeline—a clear picture of their musical growth from 7th grade through 12th.
Even if your student didn’t perform a solo in 7th or 8th grade, that’s okay. With the help of Accoladi’s Repertoire Directory, they can go back, find a piece appropriate for their age and skill level at that stage, and learn it now.
Because the goal isn’t to pretend—it’s to show growth.
This timeline becomes a musical story. It shows adjudicators:
“Here’s who I was, here’s what I’ve learned, and here’s where I’m headed.”

Chapter 3: “What Panels Actually Remember”

Quick audition reality check:
Panelists don’t always remember perfection.
They remember connection.
Let me say that again:
Panelists don’t always remember perfection. They remember connection.
That moment your child plays a Grade III with emotion? Or a Grade IV that’s deeply musical?
That’s the moment that lingers.
That’s the moment they write a scholarship offer over.
We’re not trying to impress with difficulty.
We’re trying to move people. And sometimes, simplicity done beautifully moves the most.

Chapter 4: “The Parent Challenge”

So, parents—here’s your part.
Ask your child:

• “What’s the easiest piece you’ve ever loved?”
• “What’s a solo you could play for a room full of strangers and mean it?”

Then encourage them to:

1. Start a repertoire list
2. Fill in each school year
3. Go back, rewind, learn a Grade II, III, or IV solo
4. Record it and upload it to their Accoladi profile

This is their musical autobiography. Help them write it with depth.

Final Chapter:
At the end of the day, we’re not raising soloists—we’re raising storytellers.
Let’s teach them that being expressive, intentional, and musical matters more than being impressive.
Let’s remind them that simpler pieces, played with heart, often echo longer than flashy ones played with fear.
And let’s be the village that champions growth over perfection.
Head to Accoladi.com, read Rewind to Win, and then have a conversation with your child—not just about what they’re playing, but why.

[Closing Music – Soft guitar fades in]

I’m Dr. Sharon Roberts-Barrett, and this has been People Over Programs—where we believe artistry is built over time, and that sometimes, the best next step is a thoughtful rewind.
Thanks for tuning in. We’ll see you next time.
And parents… keep clapping loudly. We see you.

People Over Programs

Episode Title: “Rewind to Win: The Secret Strength of Simpler Solos”

[Opening music: Upbeat, motivational background beat]

[CAMERA ON: Fine Arts Director seated in a music room, with a whiteboard, a trumpet mute or violin bow on the desk just for flair. Maybe even a "World's Okayest Oboist" mug.]

FINE ARTS DIRECTOR: Hey there, future Grammy winners, Broadway stars, film scorers, music teachers, and maybe... that cool musician who ends up with their own NPR Tiny Desk concert.

I’m your district's Fine Arts Director. Yep, I’m the person who writes the emails you delete and signs the forms you forget to return. But today, I want five minutes of your time. Because if you’re in band, choir, orchestra, or theater, what we talk about right now might change your college audition game. Seriously.

Let me drop some truth: Everyone—and I mean EVERYONE—walks into that college audition room thinking their hardest piece is gonna knock the socks off the panel. Usually, it knocks something off—but it ain’t socks.

It’s called the Grade VI Illusion. You spend months, maybe a year, wrestling this beast of a solo, and you finally hit those high notes—or at least most of them. And you think: THIS is the moment. This is my ticket.

But let me ask you this: What happens if you mess up? What if the nerves hit? What if they ask to hear something lyrical...and your lyrical piece is from back when you still had braces and couldn’t tongue eighth notes without sounding like a kazoo?

Here’s what the smartest musicians are doing: They’re building a Repertoire Timeline.

That’s right. Not just throwing darts at the hardest music and hoping one sticks. They’re showing growth. Progress. Thoughtfulness. Musical maturity.

So, your Grade IV solo? That might be the one that gets the callback. Your Grade III from sophomore year? Might be the moment that makes someone cry... in a good way.

Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who’s sat on an audition panel. They’re not looking for a stunt. They’re looking for a musician.

So, here’s your mission: Go to Accoladi.com. Use the Accoladi Repertoire Directory to find pieces you SHOULD have played in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th grade. Fill in the blanks. Learn one of them now. And add it to your audition toolkit.

Because when the panel asks, "Can we hear something a little simpler? Something lyrical?" you won’t panic. You’ll say, "Absolutely." And you’ll play it like it was written just for you.

[Pause, lowers voice a bit for emphasis] That’s the moment they remember.

[Smiles] So rewind. Rebuild. Then walk into that audition room ready to win.

[End screen with logo: Accoladi | People Over Programs]

[Text on screen: Find your musical journey at Accoladi.com]

[Music swells]