Tim Caradonna (class of 2011) was recently awarded second place in the Massachusetts Bay State Competition for piano performances. This is a major achievement for any aspiring student pianists. Wayland Student Press has interviewed Tim Caradonna.

1. Please introduce yourself briefly.
I am Tim Caradonna. I am a freshman.

2. How long have you been playing the piano?
I’ve been playing piano for seven years, but I’ve been playing seriously for five years.

3. Why do you play the piano?
It’s technically challenging, and there’s enough variety and challenge in the music so that there’s always something new to learn and play.

4. How did you get started?
My grandmother and my mom both played the piano, and I started to learn the piano informally with them.

5. How many hours in a week do you usually practice? How often do you get piano lessons?
I take lessons once a week and practice for about an hour every day.

6. What are some of the difficulties in playing the piano?
Many pieces are technically challenging, but the hardest part is just being able to consistently include everything, such as the musicality and technicality in my playing.

7. Please describe the competition and its results.
I was awarded second place; it’s the highest I’ve ever scored in the competition during my four years of entering.

8. What is the significance of this competition?
It’s the Massachusetts Bay State Competition and it’s mainly just something I work towards every year. It’s the ‘grand finale’ on my performance schedule.

9. What piece did you play for the competition?
I played 3 pieces, Beethoven’s Sonata No. 1 in F minor opus 2/1, IV prestissimo. 2 Scriabin Etudes, Opus 8 No. 11 and 12.

10. How could you have done better during the audition?
I started off the Sonata too fast probably due to nerves. The introduction was not as good as it has been in the past, but I would not want to change anything in my other two pieces.

11. Is there any one interesting moment in your past that is related to playing the piano?
I accompanied the middle school chorus last year, which was a lot of fun. It’s a whole different type of performing compared to solo work and it is a lot of fun because of that.

12. Who is your favorite composer and why?
My favorite composer is Chopin, since many of his pieces are very expressive and draw on a lot of different skills.

13. Who is your favorite musician and why?
Evgeny Kissin is my favorite pianist; I recently saw him play in the Symphony Hall.

14. What is your favorite style in music?
Music from the Romantic Era. I also like to play Baroque.

15. What is the ultimate piano piece that you want to play one day?
I’m working on a Chopin Scherzo and want to play the first Brahms Rhapsody one day.

16. What kind of music do you enjoy other than classical?
I like rock music, both classic and modern.

17. Any specific singers, bands or groups?
I like Smashing Pumpkins and Boston.

18. Any other hobbies, talents and interests?
I play tennis on the school team, I play Frisbee and I’m an Adirondack 46-er.

19. Do you plan to continue playing the piano?
Certainly through high school and probably through college based on availability.

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?
I’m interested in surgery.