SXSW: Making the Grade will make you want to take piano lessons

Have you ever taken piano lessons? If not, you’ll definitely want to after watching Ken Wardrop’s Making the Grade.

Ken Wardrop’s music documentary, Making the Grade, premiered at SXSW to a theater packed with music fans. Some of which are musicians themselves, while others simply enjoy the melody of a piano. Making the Grade is the perfect example of how music brings people together.

Making the Grade is a musical journey that follows piano students from all walks of life in Ireland, from struggling beginners to accomplished pianists. The film “demonstrates the passion, dedication, and perseverance that it takes to study the beloved instrument. Through love of music, each of these subjects is connected to one another, as well as the other 30,000 students who prepare for graded exams each year,” the official movie synopsis reads.

Check out the trailer below:

Making The Grade – Official Trailer from AntidoteFilms on Vimeo.

The film runs just under 90 minutes, and not a single one of those minutes misses a beat.

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We begin by following students in lower grades, most of which are small children in love with the instrument. It’s very inspiring and uplifting to watch their curious minds at work. Audiences meet each student, all who have something to share. Making the Grade slowly moves on up, to more skilled students as we learn their reasons for playing and what their goals are.

We also can’t forget the teachers! The film shines the spotlight on them as well. Nothing makes a piano teacher more proud than sending off a successful pianist into the world. Their stories are heartwarming.

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Wardrop’s previous films include the Sundance award winning film His & Hers, as well as Mom and Me, which world premiered at Telluride.

To learn more about the film, visit Making the Grade online and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.