<p>Here are Harvard's guidelines for any supplementary materials including art, music, and research:</p>
<p>"...supplementary materials are not required or expected -- and should be sent only if the applicant's work is unusually advanced."</p>
<p>What is your definition for "unusually" advanced?
I worked very very hard this summer on my instrument and plan to make a recording; my instrument is of great significance to me because I devoted so much of my time to it this summer.
The recording may not be super impressive in terms of technicalities, but is in my opinion very musical.
To an admissions committee member not so knowledgeable about music, however, mere technicalities may be the only way to gauge "unusual skills."</p>
<p>Should I risk not being considered 'unusually skilled" in which case sending a recording could possibly even work against me? What is "unusually skilled" in music anyway?...
How "unusually skilled" can a high schooler (well, with only a few exceptions) really be? Also, how well-versed in music is the Admissions office to say that they can distinguish "unusually" skilled from "very skilled?" Especially in something so wide and open to interpretations like MUSIC, or just simply, ART?</p>
<p>Quoted from a good book: A good art portfolio should be able to impress an admissions officer regardless of their experience in the field (if they were experts, that would more likely work against you since they would be able to identify less noticable errors). If your not sure then taking the AP Art History Exam would give you a rough idea of the quality of your work. </p>
<p>As for music, if you looked on the music supplement on the Yale website, you would see that they ask for specific genres of music to submit on your 10-min recording. Also, they recommend that you use the recording to showcase multiple musical TECHNIQUES, meaning that its is more of an assessment than a performance. I suggest that if anything that your recording should be CLEAN and to work your way up from there.</p>
<p>If you have an interest in either of these field, then you should apply regardless of how you think they’ll percieve them to at least show that you cared enough to take the time to prepare and formally present them for review.</p>
<p>Please consider sending musical materials only if your accomplishments are truly outstanding for a high school musician and if your playing or composing is a strong and important part of your application. Submissions that demonstrate an average or merely competent level of ability for a high school musician will not help your application.</p>
<p>Admissions is not going to listen to your recording. If Admissions decides that your application makes it past the first cut with respect to their criteria for admissibility (GPA, rigor of curriculum, scores, and whatever other criteria they use) they’ll send your recording on to the Department of Music. That’s who will evaluate it.</p>
<p>In answer to your general question, if your playing is conservatory caliber or close to it, send your recording. That’s the basic definition of "unusually skilled."Otherwise, do not send it. Your private music teacher can help you make the decision.</p>
<p>adding to WJB: it seems that the OP is hoping that admissions officers will be so unaccustomed to hearing quality music that they’ll just give the OP a pass. Since they clearly acknowledge that they are not capable judges, they’ll pass your CD to those who are … and then your plan may backfire…</p>
<p>“How ‘unusually skilled’ can a high schooler (well, with only a few exceptions) really be?”</p>
<p>If you have to ask then you’ve never in been the presence of one of these and you aren’t one either.</p>
<p>My guess is that since you yourself do not have an ear to distinguish clear and convincing top caliber music, you aren’t generating that music yourself. Don’t send.</p>
<p>Examples of the usual music talent are those Presidential scholars in Art who performed at Kennedy Center. You should be able to find the performace on Youtube.</p>
<p>There are only a tiny handful of Presidential Scholars in the Arts in the classical music category. You don’t have to be QUITE that good to have the sort of “unusual talent” that would cause Yale’s Music Department to take notice!</p>
<p>This is not a good reason to send a supplement. What matters is your musical ability when compared to other musicians of your age, not how much time you devoted to it over a summer.</p>