New piece that I have to learn by Sunday, what to do?

[magic_sonata]

Hello, and I am seeking for some advice. It happens to be urgent, as I have little time to prepare.

A little background information. Well, I am advanced pianist and I have been studying piano for about 10 years and I have had lessons for 8. I am currently studying as a student under a piano pedagogy in a pre-collegiate piano program at a university.
This summer (well, this Sunday, to be exact), I will be attending a summer institute. My instructor has given me an ensemble piece today to learn by this Sunday, then to be performed by next Friday.
So I'm scrambling to finish all 10 pages by the deadline. It's a piece I know I can take on, however, I am a perfectionist and I want to perform this to the best of my ability. Another note: it doesn't have to be memorized.

My main question: how can I learn this piece in a matter of a few days and perform it? Also, are there any practice tips and tricks to get it learned, up to tempo, and with the utmost amount of musicality and understanding of the piece?

Thank you.

magic_sonata

[hozepshad]

Check this out; the second half is targeted more towards advanced students, but if you have time I recommend watching the full video (it's 15 minutes)

I hope this helps

[j_menz]

My main question: how can I learn this piece in a matter of a few days and perform it? Also, are there any practice tips and tricks to get it learned, up to tempo, and with the utmost amount of musicality and understanding of the piece?

Make sure your familiar with the other ensemble parts - read through them, and see how they relate to what you're doing. You already know how to get it up to speed (or as much speed as you can in the limited time), but knowing the other parts will make you're task much easier when you get there.  The other players are unlikely to believe they are there to provide background for your performance, so the better you understand their parts the better placed you are.

[magic_sonata]

Make sure your familiar with the other ensemble parts - read through them, and see how they relate to what you're doing. You already know how to get it up to speed (or as much speed as you can in the limited time), but knowing the other parts will make you're task much easier when you get there.  The other players are unlikely to believe they are there to provide background for your performance, so the better you understand their parts the better placed you are.

Thank you for your advice. I have listened to the other three parts on Youtube and checked out the music online. It has helped immensely as I now understand the main theme and the style of the piece.

Check this out; the second half is targeted more towards advanced students, but if you have time I recommend watching the full video (it's 15 minutes)

I hope this helps

Wow! What a great video. Definitely worth the 15 minutes.

[Bob]

I'd set a deadline for practicing vs. performing.  Wrap up the practicing part on some date and then shape whatever you've got into the performance.  Then practice that as the performance.

"learn by this Sunday, then to be performed by next Friday"
Sounds like there's some wiggle room here.  I'd still aim for having it sound decent on Sunday.  It sounds like an ensemble piece. Nobody's going to listen too carefully to you. They might not notice if you simplify or leave out a few things.  They will notice a mistake though.  I'd have something ready for Sunday and then try to add in more as the week goes on. 

Or just cram practice.  Get it as ready for Sunday.  Then let it solidify during the week so the performance is more solid.

[flashyfingers]

you don't have to play solo, so maybe you can relax a little bit, knowing that. Just make sure you know where your part is most prominent (where you lead and where you follow). Obviously, where you lead should be played with style.