Is it worth to pay to perform in Carnegie Hall?

[supertonic]

Recently my 10 years old daughter has joined an on-line  music competition and has won the first prize, so she is eligible to attend the winners gala concert in Carnegie Hall, at the expense of the parents of course! She thinks it's prestigious and is really excited about it but actually we all know it's just something we pay for it. I am struggling if it worth the hassle and hefty cost as we are living in Asia and it's a long way and high cost to fly there. We can afford it but just wonder if it worth it, or shall I just tell my daughter about the truth and tell her it's a rip off and forget about it.

[jaquet]

Honestly i would take her there, and you cuold make a trip out of it, maybe go see some other pianists play there and enjoy it. It seems like ur daughter practiced hard for this it would be a shame to dissapoint her. Of course im still a kid so what do i know.

[frodo4]

Honestly i would take her there, and you cuold make a trip out of it, maybe go see some other pianists play there and enjoy it. It seems like ur daughter practiced hard for this it would be a shame to dissapoint her. Of course im still a kid so what do i know.

I'm 65 years old and agree with everything you say here.  You know a lot.

[ranjit]

I'm divided 50/50. If you were already in New York, that would be different -- but you would also have to fly halfway across the world. I think it would be a great experience to play in Carnegie Hall, obviously. It depends on your financial situation, and if as you say, you can afford it, why not?

[lelle]

Recently my 10 years old daughter has joined an on-line  music competition and has won the first prize, so she is eligible to attend the winners gala concert in Carnegie Hall, at the expense of the parents of course! She thinks it's prestigious and is really excited about it but actually we all know it's just something we pay for it. I am struggling if it worth the hassle and hefty cost as we are living in Asia and it's a long way and high cost to fly there. We can afford it but just wonder if it worth it, or shall I just tell my daughter about the truth and tell her it's a rip off and forget about it.

If you can afford it it could be a unique memory for life together with your daughter. Also a chance to explore New York together. Would your daughter, or you as parents, or both of you value that? Would you value it enough to be fine to bear the cost?

I think trading money for memorable experiences is worth it but I get if not everyone is like that.

[lostinidlewonder]

I think it is not worth it. Anyone can hire space at Carnegie Hall, being invited to play there like in the old days for the very best musicians is no longer really done no more.
https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Rentals

[quantum]

If it means something to your daughter, and you can afford it, then IMO you should do it. 

This might also present an opportunity to network in New York.  If you're daughter wishes to pursue music studies, this networking opportunity could be beneficial.  Think potential future teachers, masterclasses, schools, etc. 

While you are in New York, take in some cultural activities and musical performances. 

Years from now, your daughter will remember: the memory of Carnegie Hall, or the memory of being denied the opportunity to go to Carnegie Hall. 

[supertonic]

Honestly i would take her there, and you cuold make a trip out of it, maybe go see some other pianists play there and enjoy it. It seems like ur daughter practiced hard for this it would be a shame to dissapoint her. Of course im still a kid so what do i know.

Thanks for letting me what a kid thinks, of course kids know a lot and adults need to listen!

[supertonic]

If it means something to your daughter, and you can afford it, then IMO you should do it. 

This might also present an opportunity to network in New York.  If you're daughter wishes to pursue music studies, this networking opportunity could be beneficial.  Think potential future teachers, masterclasses, schools, etc. 

While you are in New York, take in some cultural activities and musical performances. 

Years from now, your daughter will remember: the memory of Carnegie Hall, or the memory of being denied the opportunity to go to Carnegie Hall.

Thanks for reminding me, yes years after  she may think “ I once  have a chance to play here too but …..”

[supertonic]

I think it is not worth it. Anyone can hire space at Carnegie Hall, being invited to play there like in the old days for the very best musicians is no longer really done no more.
https://www.carnegiehall.org/About/Rentals

Haha thanks for being so honest, as a practical person that would be my first thought too,  “ Is this just  something to rip off the vain parents  and certainly many parents will fall for it. “  that’s why I was struggling. But from above comments and it’s true that my daughter has been looking forward to it and I have decided to join the trip.

[lostinidlewonder]

I don't think "rip off" but just not worth the time and money just to go there to play at a venue that anyone can just hire. There's no real "prestige" at all, it's just bought experience. The event will almost definitely not be in the main concert hall and just in one of the hired spaces. So be wary of your expectations.

I'd prefer to save the travel, accommodation and other costs and just buy her a new grand piano for an award 😉

[ranjit]

I'd prefer to save the travel, accommodation and other costs and just buy her a new grand piano for an award 😉

That is actually a really smart idea.

[supertonic]

I don't think "rip off" but just not worth the time and money just to go there to play at a venue that anyone can just hire. There's no real "prestige" at all, it's just bought experience. The event will almost definitely not be in the main three concert hall and just in one of the hired spaces. So be wary of your expectations.

I'd prefer to save the travel, accommodation and other costs and just buy her a new grand piano for an award 😉

The event is in one of the main hall and I heard the acoustic is superb. Haha a grand piano is great but we got no space for that.

[lostinidlewonder]

The event is in one of the main hall and I heard the acoustic is superb. Haha a grand piano is great but we got no space for that.

Which hall is it in, you mean the Weill Recital Hall for the PREMIA International Festival?

In any case if money is no object and you have the time then it's a no brainer to just go, I'm unsure what advice you'd need one way or the other.

 Maybe a hybrid or a concert upright then? 😄

[shaunaholiman]

It depends on who ran the competition.  The less reputable ones (rip off) get the contestants to pay but other than that they do little publicity, don't get press to cover the event and the poor performers play to a virtually empty house.  VERY depressing

[ranjit]

Well I would expect at least 20 people, the family members and friends of the winners. That doesn't have to be depressing. And it would be a terrific piano.

[quantum]

Well I would expect at least 20 people, the family members and friends of the winners. That doesn't have to be depressing. And it would be a terrific piano.

We did something similar in my university piano class.  Every few weeks 20 pianists in an empty concert hall perform for each other.  Nothing more, nothing less, no mandatory critique, playing was not graded.  Get experience on a concert grand, learn how to work with hall acoustics.  If someone messed up, it didn't matter.  The whole point was to gain experience making music in a concert hall.  Awesome experience.  I'm glad my teacher insisted the class do this activity on a regular basis. 

Back to the topic, it doesn't have to be about competing with other pianists or getting thunderous applause from a full house.  The experience of playing on a good piano in a hall is very much valuable.  Here is an opportunity to make it into a trip, as well as do other activities in New York.

[blackbird]

If money is no object, then I would go for it. Explain to your daughter that it won't be a full house, that it is just for the experience of doing it. That way she will have reasonable expectations. The question is, would it be something you regret? Which would you regret more, if you went and had a mediocre experience, or if you just didn't go, and never found out whether it was a good experience? One thing I have learned, is that if you are able, you should take every opportunity that is available to you, and learn from it. Just my two cents!

[foobarpiano]

I don't think "rip off" but just not worth the time and money just to go there to play at a venue that anyone can just hire. There's no real "prestige" at all, it's just bought experience. The event will almost definitely not be in the main concert hall and just in one of the hired spaces. So be wary of your expectations.

I'd prefer to save the travel, accommodation and other costs and just buy her a new grand piano for an award 😉

Weill Recital Hall at CARNEGIE HALL
Performance Fee:  HK$8,000 (5 mins)

It looks like the usual Hong Kong money grab...So about USD $1000 for 5min, at this price, I am sure you could rent it yourself or close to...

[lostinidlewonder]

It looks like the usual Hong Kong money grab...So about USD $1000 for 5min, at this price, I am sure you could rent it yourself or close to...

Heck that's for sure expensive. If I won a competition I'd think that if they organised a concert for winners that it wouldn't cost me anything at all!! It makes me think of these literature competitions where winners are asked to pay a fee for their works to be published in some book. It's quite strange. Whenever I've been invited to winners competitions I never had to pay for it, having to perform is payment enough, we also were given free tickets for family members to attend!

[supertonic]

If money is no object, then I would go for it. Explain to your daughter that it won't be a full house, that it is just for the experience of doing it. That way she will have reasonable expectations. The question is, would it be something you regret? Which would you regret more, if you went and had a mediocre experience, or if you just didn't go, and never found out whether it was a good experience? One thing I have learned, is that if you are able, you should take every opportunity that is available to you, and learn from it. Just my two cents!

Thanks for your supportive words, you gave me the line of thinking to make the decision. I think I will go for it and just treat it as a chance to visit NY city which we never been there before.