I was very pleased when I got an offer to participate as a team’s trainer / tutor in Little Giants TV show (it’s a talent show for children 4 – 12 years old). This perfectly suited my current stage in life as a happy father of two daughters, owner of a music school, and experienced band leader. And what is more, I’m preparing a unique concert for the whole families where the performers will be kids and thanks to television I have the best audition I could imagine. This is why I agreed with great pleasure and started working.
I must admit that the reality surpassed my expectations. I had known the director and the production team earlier, so I expected that the programme would be made extremely professionally, with attention to the smallest details, and work on the set would be efficient and enjoyable. And I wasn’t disappointed by that, but the little participants were the biggest surprise to me. Since the first audition I have met huge numbers of highly talented children. I’m amazed and proud after I realized how many talented kids we have in Poland.
The rules of the programme are clearly defined and for my team I could choose only a bunch of “giants”. And I knew that some participants would be eliminated by the jury during the first episode. Despite this, I feel I made the right choice. I have an extraordinary team: Olivia who can sing everything, and you can listen to it for hours; Nina and Adam, great dancers who deal with all styles. And don’t forget about Kinga and Staś whose personalities and performances can cheer up even the saddest viewer. I don’t know the future of my team, but with such talented children it would be an honour for me to be eliminated.
On the occasion of the release of every major television show there comes a wave of criticism and envy. This is normal. Programmes with under age contestants often stir up a nationwide discussions whether it’s ethical to expose children to stress and extreme competition in order to entertain the audience.
I’d like to share my opinion on this subject. I know what I’m writing about, because I started my professional musical education at the age of 5 and since then, luckily, I haven’t changed my passion.
Is it good that children take part in the show? YES
Is it good that they can experience stress and sometimes even humiliation? YES
Is it good that they can be exposed to envy and criticism? YES
Why?
Well, because these are not ordinary children. These children are highly gifted and they’ve decided to TRY to tie their future with art. That’s their choice, and I didn’t notice a single case of forcing them to do anything during the programme. And if they want to be in the future professional artists, their life will look like this, full of jealousy, hard work, disappointments, but also elation, incredible joy, and satisfaction. They want to pursue their passions and interests.
When I started my career there were no television shows (except for communists’ TV news or May Day marches), but behind the scenes the game, hard work, and stress were with us every day. I didn’t have a normal childhood, it was rather completely abnormal. When the others were playing in the yard I had to practice. Do I regret it? Not at all! If you want to achieve success, you need to work hard from an early age. Only a few will survive to the end, but that’s life. Little Giants helps these talented kids to show their work, and make them proud of it. That’s wonderful that their efforts aren’t limited to school performances, but can shine in front of millions. It’s great motivation for the future.
And if participants don’t deal with stress and challenge, it can also bring some benefits. They will understand that stage career isn’t for them, so they won’t waste their time, and will take up something else.
By the way, as a trainer I try to teach them some useful knowledge e.g. how to cope with stress. I tell them to not read internet comments, and also explain some relations between success and the number of negative reviews. Such things, unfortunately, aren’t taught in music schools. That’s why I’m glad that after the programme finishes children from my team will have nice memories, but also some basic knowledge of show business.
So, my dear critics – don’t worry. These kids are doing what they love. And maybe that sometimes hurts… But it must hurt. As they grow up they will be completely immune. It’s a kind of vaccine for artists.