<p>PianoEMT - It doesn’t matter how great the instruments sound, unless you’re submitting an electro-acoustic piece. Composition professors want to hear acoustic instruments, rather than a computer, playing your pieces. Certainly most undergrad applicants won’t have access to a full orchestra or large ensemble (although some may) but for the smaller pieces, if you’re looking for merit money, it might well be worth the investment to hire musicians or find college musicians willing to record the piece for you. Ask at UBC’s music department if they can refer you to some.</p>