2025 Practice Challenge

• First Round
  Dates: February 3 – February 21

• Selection Sunday
  Date: February 23
  Sweet 16 Announced (for each division)

• Sweet 16
  Dates: February 24 – March 1

• Elite 8
  Dates: March 3 – March 8

• Final 4
  Dates: March 10 – March 15

• Awards Announcement
  Date: March 17
  At the Concert

• Encourage your child to practice to their full potential. Whether practicing with them for younger students or monitoring their practice time for older students, any support helps. For more information about how your child should be practicing, see Practice Tips.
• Be sure to be checking and signing your child's practice log before submitting it by the deadline each week.

• Each practice session should not exceed what is healthy and effective for student learning. The scoring for the challenge will count no more than the following minute totals per practice session: 30 minutes (Suzuki and Beginner levels), 45 minutes (intermediate level), 60 minutes (Junior Orchestra and High School). Students who wish to practice longer should take a break and then start a second practice session.
   
• The Suzuki method emphasizes parent involvement in home practice, so this division has some unique rules. Time spent actively listening to the Suzuki recording counts as practice time and parents should be the ones to fill out the practice chart.
   
• Parents are asked to submit their child’s practice log by 6:00PM on Saturday, February 8 and 15 by either text or email (616.828.8321 or dreimer@greatlakescfa.org). Leader boards will be posted on DGSP Facebook page and website so that you can check to see if your student is among the leaders in their division. The first round concludes at 9:00PM on Friday, February 21, so all practice log’s should be texted or emailed at that time (paper copies should be turned in at the student’s next class or lesson).
   
• Students who finish the first round in the top 16 of their division will be notified on February 23 that they will be participating in the Sweet 16 round, which runs from February 24-March 1. A new practice log will be made available to print for the final rounds.
   
• Students will receive a paper copy of a practice log in class. To submit a paper log, please take a picture and then either text or e-mail to Dr. David Reimer at 616.828.8321 or dreimer@greatlakescfa.or

Questions? Contact Dr. David Reimer at 616.828.8321 or dreimer@greatlakescfa.org​​

Print a Practice Log

• Practice time does not include classes, lessons, or rehearsals. Practice, for the sake of this challenge at least, is defined as time playing the music individually assigned by the teacher. If a student takes a break of at least three minutes, they should pause their practice record. If a student or parent has questions about this definition, please contact Dr. Reimer 
• Each practice session should not exceed what is healthy and effective for student learning. The scoring for the challenge will count no more than the following minute totals per practice session: 30 minutes (Suzuki and Beginner levels), 45 minutes (intermediate level), 60 minutes (Junior Orchestra and High School). Students who wish to practice longer should take a break and then start a second practice session.
• It is important to treat this as PRACTICE, not as PERFORMANCE. What matters for scoring is to demonstrate an understanding of how to practice efficiently and effectively. That includes taking small chunks apart and solving difficulties along with repetition and includes attention to a specific technique, ie. working on bow arm/hand, vibrato, shifting, etc. Students should work on a scale and one section of a piece of music. If there are any questions, please talk with your teacher and/or Dr. Reimer.