<p>Youdon’tsay, he included it as part of his Common App essay, but didn’t send in CDs, or drop cards, or youtube sites of his performances. Again, he showed it was an important part of his life in the essay, but not leading to a Music major, and not going to audition, sort of left it at that. He, and we, realize now that maybe some of his actual performance material should go to the schools even if he is not applying to the music program. He’s a pretty self-effacing kid.</p>
<p>YES!! Send the entire packet NOW!!!</p>
<p>Absolutely he should send in the info. The students with their own bands have historically done very well from our high school. Most of them aren’t majoring in music.</p>
<p>Send it in and tie it in with his original common app essay. Perhaps add an additional essay with the music packet to emphasize the importance of his band experience, what he has learned, and how this makes College XYZ a good fit.</p>
<p>I say yes, send it it, but don’t send in a huge packet – he want’s to get whatever he sends in reduced to a bite size piece that a very busy ad com will actually have time to read. My daughter sent her dance resume and a DVD with highlights of several dance pieces she choreographed to U. of Chicago, which accepted her after a deferral. Chicago does not have a dance department or offer a dance major/minor – it’s all about the “life of the mind”-- but it was an important part of my d’s life. The DVD was less than 3 minutes long and clearly marked with its running time. That was quite a few years ago before everyone was on YouTube – I think nowadays rather than a hard copy DVD it would make more sense to simply upload the videos so they could be viewed online. </p>
<p>The reason you don’t send “the whole packet” is the same as why you don’t send 7 letters of application, or why job seekers shouldn’t send 6 page resumes to prospective employers. Give them a taste-- it will get the message across - but act on the assumption that a person might not read beyond the first paragraph on the first page that you send them, and that they aren’t going to listen or view a tape/video beyond the first 30 seconds, if that.</p>
<p>No comment on the application package, as you are getting good advice. I only want to add a book recommendation to you first, and if you think so, pass it on to your S. No urgency, but sometime when all these things are filed and you are just twiddling thumbs waiting results. </p>
<p>“Turbulent Souls” by Stephen J. Dubner. Did you know that the co-author of the famed “Freakonomics” and “Superfreakonomics” had a rock musician career off-campus from his first college. Then, for personal reasons, he switched gears and eventually came to Columbia U for an MFA in writing. I think the book resonates because it shows how a creative person can take many pathways as a young adult and come to surprising personal conclusions. The chapter about his work as an undergraduate playing weekend gigs near his campus, which I think was in N.Carolina or some place Appalachian, may interest you and your son.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Personally, I think you should definitely send the album–realizing that it is unlikely that anyone will listen to the whole thing, but the physical object is convincing–the magazine reference, and a 1-page resume citing the venues you mentioned in other posts.</p>
<p>This is what I mean by “the entire packet,” and I don’t think it is too much at all.</p>
<p>A well-edited, high-quality, short (no more than 3 minutes) DVD of the band performing would to me be optional, unless they have a very polished and professional stage act and/or you have footage of the reaction of enthusiastic audiences. Amateurish video of performances is too painful for viewers who weren’t there to share the original experience.</p>
<p>Look at Emerson College, more of a performing arts, but has communications marketing. God daughter loved it there.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Agreed. Music wasn’t exclusively the domain of the Conservatory. Many in the College are also part of the campus musical scene. Some of the bands/musicians who were in the college ended up making it big like Liz Phair and The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.</p>
<p>Since this thread may draw some hs juniors or parents, I’ll mention that Northeastern has more music than I expected. One interesting program is BS in Music Technology. NEU has a very strong co-op program that could perhaps give good industry contacts.
[Programs</a> : Department of Music](<a href=“http://www.music.neu.edu/degree-programs/]Programs”>http://www.music.neu.edu/degree-programs/)</p>
<p>(If the musician also happens to be NMF, check out the NEU / NMF full tuition scholarships).</p>
<p>Seems like you have a very accomplished son with exceptional pop music artistic and business success who chose not to major in music. With this sort of candidate, the application would ideally connect those dots. Lots of details about journey with creating music, organizing & managing his band commitments & recording experiences and use of a great essay to explain why the student is looking for a well-rounded non-musical education to support his intellectual growth (which in turn will feed his music, should he continue writing/performing). </p>
<p>In case he was a little light on supporting his music EC achievements for fear of looking too much like a music major candidate, I’d suggest sending in the album or digital version along with a new essay expressing the above. There is still time and it may give the adcoms a chance to really know your son’s authentic passions and intellectual choices.</p>
<p>best of luck.</p>
<p>IIRC, Oberlin’s application deadline is Jan. 15 and they take the Common App. (they also have a dual degree program through the College of Arts and Sciences and the college of Music - though it may be too late to apply for that – I have no idea.)</p>
<p>Has he considered a gap year to see where things go with the band? College will always be there when he is ready.</p>
<p>pugmadkate, that is what I was wondering too. If I were in his shoes, I don’t think there is any way I could do anything but take a gap year. If he’s committed otherwise, good for him, but I’d really fear the “what if.” The management contract may not be a slam dunk, depending on the language of the contract. Since he is a composer, he has to be careful about giving up all rights to everything he has written before and during the term of the contract.</p>