<p>For Andover, if I want to list music as my strength (which I do believe, I've played trumpet for quite a while) do I HAVE to provide CDs? I feel like they're asking for evidence almost....</p>
<p>I'm not sure if I can make anything good with my trumpet teacher as I've just discovered this possibility, and I certainly do want to boast about my trumpet skills a bit in the application.</p>
<p>So, my main question is, if I don't pull off CDs for whatever reason... will they not believe me?</p>
<p>I don't think they won't believe you: CDs are some form of credibility. And as long as you're not relying on your musical skills ALONE, I don't think CDs are necessary (although they are useful!)</p>
<p>If you want to use music as your strength then it'd be quite important (personal opinion!) to provide a CD but I think it's rather late now.. You could just play your best songs and record them and burn them onto the CDs. Eh. It's really your choice; However I wouldn't recommend you listing music as your strength (thus, musician) without some sort of proof. Perhaps a newspaper clipping or extremely strong ECs ? .. </p>
<p>This is just personal opinion, though. The adcoms must have different ones :P</p>
<p>haha im sure they won't.
im recording my clarinet, but not for andover. </p>
<p>are you in a city orchestra? if so, that will provide a little assurance about your trumpet skills for andover's admission committee. </p>
<p>but, since andover's application is later than others, you still have time pull off something.</p>
<p>hah dam now you guys make me feel pretty bad about my skills...
Well, I might be able to record some of my recital songs, and I was in 1st chair for my jazz band, but its not like the president of the universe came to me and said I was amazing or something like that</p>
<p>But other than that, my other ECs are : science olympiad, service, extemporaneous debate, church service, swimming, cross country, track
and off course my trumpet playing</p>
<p>of those activities, I'm only confident in my skills with playing the trumpet, science olym[piad, and I've been told I've got a lot of potential for extemp debate</p>
<p>so do you think I've got enough EC strength to just go w/o CDs? Or do you think I should try for reinforcing it?</p>
<p>thanks =)</p>
<p>it's your choice.
just because you are recording it won't guarantee the boost.
it can either help you or it can even hurt you.
im sure your trumpet playing is great.</p>
<p>haha ok then great
I'll just talk with my trumpet teacher and see if we can do anything in the time we have</p>
<p>thanks a lot guys</p>
<p>My child applied without sending in a CD (she's a decent player but it isn't her strongest area or passion). A couple of weeks later, Andover asked if she could send a CD. She sent a recording, and was accepted. So I can't help thinking it made a difference.</p>
<p>did andover ask for the cd before or after the deadline?</p>
<p>Andover asked for the CD a couple of weeks after their admission deadline, sometime in February. We really had to scramble to get a recording together. That's why I think it was a deciding factor in admission.</p>
<p>If you're not going to submit a CD, then you should list very specific information about your trumpet-playing experience. How long have you been playing? How often do you practice? What kind of ensembles are you in? Names and composers of recent pieces played?</p>
<p>First chair is good! Regionals? All state? Local competitions? Summer programs?</p>
<p>yeah thats the problem I guess, I haven't really moved out of my high school jazz band</p>
<p>this summer I'll be going to a music camp, but it doesn't really make a difference by then</p>
<p>I'm just going to give off an appearance of a casual player</p>
<p>Casual players are okay, too--you don't have to be a musical prodigy to be admitted! But it's good to list specific information about your experience, so that the admission officer can determine whether you are a novice, intermediate, or advanced player.</p>
<p>ah, okay, thanks I'l make sure to specify</p>