I agree totally Accidental.
I enjoy both contests and concerts.
Concerts are great, you get to play a wide variety of music and the atmosphere (especially at our concerts!) is very pleasant and enjoyable. And it's the sort of thing that you can do quite regularly etc. and i take great pleasure from putting on a good concert.
But i also think that you can't beat the satisfaction and the buzz of competing in a contest. I wouldn't like to do it that often though because i don't think my knees could take all the knocking! and that's why it is great to have both contesting and concerts.
I also really love working on the test piece!! It's a fantastic way of proving your worth and also sometimes getting something to show (in the form of silverware! :wink: ) for all the effort you put into playing. Although the satisfaction of just being there is enough for me! I enjoy the whole experience of it, both socially (because we cannot deny that it is probably the most important social event in the banding calender!) and in the sense of competing and improving as a player.
