<p>I play the piano, and I'm not surewhat to do with my supplemntary material. I understand that most colleges want only around 2 contrasting pieces. Well, I don't know if it's better to submit easier pieces that have been mastered, or whether to submit much more difficult pieces that are good, but not superb.</p>
<p>in my case, the piece in question is a Chopin Ballade or a chopin prelude(much smaller and easier than the ballade). </p>
<p>In addition, I don't know if I should submit my research paper. Is submitting two pieces of supplemental material a good idea?</p>
<p>Also, which do you feel more confident with (of the piano pieces)? Personally, I'd go with something simpler that has been mastered, and maybe you can add your own touch to it. They want to know you.</p>
<p>For a musical submission, it is far better to submit a slightly less challenging piece that you have completely mastered, as opposed to a more demanding, difficult selection that may have passages where your technique and level of expertise may be lacking.</p>
<p>how well do you have to be to stand out at say.. stanford? I know that stanford isn't exactly the greatest place for to go to become a musician, but i'm sure that there will be a ton of really good CD's, especially for instruments like the piano or violin. Does the rec have a lot of weight?</p>
<p>Maybe I'm not understanding, but: so, you can submit two pieces? Like, two musical pieces? If that's correct, why not show them what you can do with a simpler piece--the prelude--as well as what you can do with a more difficult piece--the ballade. They can see you really shine with prelude, and they should appreciate that you can do well with the ballade, too. You want to show them the breadth and depth of your piano skills. </p>
<h2>Optimization's idea is probably just as good as mine, though, if not better. Lord knows I'm not a musician, so you've got no reason to listen to me. :p</h2>
<p>Well, what will your paper be about? If it's not about music, then it won't be sent to the same department for evaluation, so I don't see why you shouldn't submit it as well as your musical performance. You won't be overloading anybody. However, if the college requests specifically that you not submit more than a certain number of supplementary materials, then it might be too much to send both the music and the paper. I don't know.</p>
<p>You want to showcase your talents and the fruits of your labors. If submitting supplementary materials is the best way you can accomplish this, then do it--if the college doesn't prohibit it. Stanford, for instance, doesn't allow supplementary materials, except:
[quote]
If you have an extraordinary talent in the fine or performing arts and intend to participate and/or study in one of the arts areas while at Stanford, even if not majoring in the arts, you may submit supplementary materials for review by our faculty. You are expected to have previously received significant recognition for your talent, usually at the regional, state, national or international level.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Edit: This quote answers CNI's question in the above post, too. Neat! What are the chances? :p</p>
<p>haha thanks guys. Yeah the research paper is like, scientific research , definitely not music.</p>
<p>anniushka- i'm sorry but I wasn't clear enough. the prelude and the ballade are from the same composer, chopin. Usually, schools will ask for two contrasting pieces, so i can't pick both.</p>
<p>I have indeed received the recognition that stanford asks, but what i'm just wondering how many other people actually follow through and take the time to record a CD.</p>
<p>I honestly don't know enough about Stanford specfically to be able to evaluate their applicant pool musically, but at most institutions, particularly the top tier schools, a good portion of the applicants will be extremely talented in more than one area.</p>
<p>It would not surprise me at all that within the competition there is in all probability a number of kids that could easily audition their way into Juilliard, Curtis, NEC, or any high level music program, but chose other educational paths.</p>
<p>The key point is that a level of proficiency on an instrument shows a long term committment and perseverance, as well as self-discipline. These are qualities colleges regard highly in selecting for admissions.</p>
<p>The best assessment of your current musical abilities would come from your private teacher, youth symphony, or orchestral conductor. An honest unbiased evaluation from one of these sources would give you a better idea of your playing ability and how it may compare (or is it at a level) that should be considered as application supplemental material.</p>
<p>To everyone-
I've been dodging the research question bc. my lab is extremely uptight about letting anyone disclose any info. I think they like lost out on a patent a couple of years ago bc. of a leak, so I can't talk about it.</p>
<p>and thanks violadad, but here lies another problem. I hired my teacher specifically to fine-tune this CD and possibly audition for some of those institutions you just listed. She holds undergrad degrees from Juilliard, and a DMA from MSM. I'm hoping in her rec, that her education will sway things a little, but I'm afraid that since I just got her, she won't know me enough. Also, my old teacher was russian and cannot write in english, so you see the problem... My current (new) teahcer really likes the way i play, so will her recommendation have a big enough impact?</p>
<p>I don't know if Stanford will do this now that they've gone to the Common Application--they probably will--but when I applied, there was an optional/supplementary letter of recommendation, which would be a perfect forum for someone who knows the OP musically to put in a good word. The supplementary recommendation is meant for someone who's involved with the applicant in a non-academic area; for instance, I asked my drama teacher/director to do mine. He told me that he couldn't help but mention my academics as well (he taught me in an academic class, too), but hey, no harm done. ;) :p</p>
<p>I've heard that the education of the recommender shouldn't matter much. On the other hand, it's good for the recommender to be able to put you in context of his/her experiences, and the broader the context, the better (assuming you figure high on the list of "good musicians"). On the other hand, colleges want to hear from someone who really knows you well. Even the president himself wouldn't have a big impact if he didn't know enough about you to really say anything meaningful about your character or talents in his letter. </p>
<p>And I'm sure that a translated letter of rec would be fine, if you chose the Russian teacher and could find someone to translate the letter. That might be more trouble than it's worth, though. Anyway, I'd call up the office of admissions and ask them about this, if you chose to go this route.</p>
<p>CNI- A good rec on supplementary material is better than supplementary material with no rec, and far better than no supplementary material at all.</p>
<p>Can it help? Yes.</p>
<p>Can it help enough to sway an admissions decision? Possibly, but probably not enough to guarantee admission unless you play like Peng Peng.</p>
<p>i dont think it would be a good idea to submit both chopin ballad and prelude. do something by a different composer, prefarably a different era.</p>