<p>You can explain, but I think it’s better not to and maybe have teachers who are aware of these issues mention something about these in the recommendations. Anyway isn’t 4.7 great ? 3.5 sounds decent to me too. Besides your senior grades will be considered too, and I think an upward trend and top grades in senior and junior year can certainly make up for lower grades in freshman year. Specially if you take rigorous classes and have a good rank in your class.
Having a good GPA matters more for the merit scholarships than for admission into the music school I think (unless applying to double-degree program or a BA).</p>