Hi,
I’ll be applying to some selective schools including Harvard and on their website, it says, “please do not submit videos of recitals or ensemble performances.”
Does that mean that they (and other colleges) would prefer to hear only my instrument solo without any piano accompaniment? Will they penalize you if you do submit just a solo without the piano? I’m conflicted because I thought playing with piano shows professionalism and preparation.
If it helps, I’ve been playing the flute for 8 years now and will be playing pieces from Ibert and Mozart.
(I understand that there are numerous threads warning applicants to reconsider submitting a supplement but I truly want to and think it may help my application overall)
Thanks!
My son applied EA and sent a video of him playing with piano accompaniment. We checked with admissions first and were told that piano accompaniment was completely fine, as long as your instrument can clearly be seen and heard, and it is clear where the focus is. In other words, accompaniment is fine, but a chamber group is not, nor is a concerto performance with an orchestra. My son also applied RD to several dual degree programs, although he’@@ withdraw those applications if he gets into Harvard. Some conservatories specifically request unaccompanied videos, but even many of those do not mind accompaniment by a piano alone. We also saw some thread on here that said the same thing for other schools (piano is fine as long as you’re the focus), but, of course, I can’t really remember which threads those were.
Sorry-- the beginning of that got cut off. Said my son applied EA to Harvard and sent a video of a concerto movement accompanied by piano. We called admissions first and were told that was fine-- as long as they can clearly hear and see your instrument, and your instrument is the focus. In other words, they don’t want ensemble music-- a chamber group or a concerto in which you performed with an orchestra. Piano accompaniment in the background is fine. My son also applied to several dual degree programs RD and even many conservatories said piano accompaniment was fine, although some requested everything be unaccompanied. If he gets in to Harvard, he will withdraw those applications, but the point is the pianompart is fine as long as you and your flute are the focus.
The point of those instructions is to make sure they can hear you playing. If you would feel better, you can contact Harvard as Daykidmom did. You might also ask if they want you to cue the best three minutes, how long the piece should be, etc.