Duke app - music supplement

Applying to College
1

<p>hey guys. </p>

<p>over the last 4 years ive gotten pretty experienced with electronic music production, so much that i would probably consider sending some of it as a supplement with college applications. the duke website caught my eye, though, because they phrase their music CD supplement on the app like so:</p>

<p>"While musicians of every level are welcome at Duke, only those who demonstrate outstanding ability in performance or composition should submit supplemental material. CDs or audiocassette tapes should be 10-15 minutes long and include at least two movements or pieces representing contrasting styles or periods. Each selection must be an unedited solo performance. If possible, include piano accompaniment
where appropriate. Composers should submit a score of their work in addition to a recording. Please label the cassette or CD clearly with your legal name, address, date of birth, and works performed. Conventional CDs only. DVDs will not be reviewed."</p>

<p>it seems pretty obvious here that they have more classical styles with classical instruments in mind. i mean, i play the piano, but im not nearly highly talented as they desire at that, so should i not even bother going for that part of the app? </p>

<p>and what about other schools? harvard basically just says "give us a CD. kthxbye." is a classical focus implied elsewhere, too?</p>

2

<p>Here’s a link <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/731962-music-supplement-college-applications.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/731962-music-supplement-college-applications.html&lt;/a&gt; to an earlier thread, and a series of subsequesent threads and internal links, which bring you through a number of different scenarios. Variations on your basic question, institutional polices, and the potential effects of a supplement on admissions are included. </p>

<p>A lot depends on exactly what the internal review process of the supplement entails, and this varies widely by institution. If you’re intent is in sending a cd of engineered music, “new”, “cutting edge”, or bebop, it could well be received differently depending on the experience of the reviewer.</p>

<p>From a performance standpoint, the reviewer is looking for musicality, technique, intonation; similar points apply for compositions, but will also include theory and orchestration skills among others. </p>

<p>Most liberal arts/university music departments are centered around the tradition of western classical music and the benchmarks of comparison tend to be within that framework. Having said that, there are a number of programs that are a bit more flexible and “out of the box” and may be more receptive of a non standard submission.</p>

<p>Your question boils down basically to “how good am I/is this?” Part of the answer lies in have you won awards, recognition for your work? Compliments and/or collaborations from professionals in the field? Do you do it for money on a regular basis? Is it a significant part of who you are? </p>

<p>If you can answer yes to a couple of those questions, it’s probably worth sending to any institution that will accept a supplement, provided it falls with their outlined parameters. If it’s vague as to whether it might, call and speak with a music adcom or an adcom knowledgeable in supps. Ask about the review process, and if what you’re contemplating fits their parameters. If a school doesn’t want it, don’t send it.</p>

<p>Remember, it may or mau not help anywhere. It is typically no more than a data point or two, but it may be beneficial in rounding out “you” as a candidate.</p>

3

<p>well, this is the kind of stuff that ive been making: [Sometimes</a> I Forget](<a href=“http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/264379]Sometimes”>p4c-Sometimes I Forget) <a href=“ignore%20the%20voted%20scores,%20everybody%20on%20the%20site%20gets%20pretty%20much%20slapped%20down%20by%20losers”>yes, its newgrounds. <em>shame!</em></a> its what most would generalize as techno music haha.</p>

<p>that being said, i do it pretty much entirely as a hobby. ive had my stuff played in my school’s homecoming and one dj at my school used some old stuff of mine on the dj circuit… but apart from that, thats all the exposure ive gone for, since i never considered myself “good enough” to start selling until maybe now. i wouldnt be planning to actually take college courses in this stuff, its mostly an individual experience for me.</p>

<p>i dont really know if i should talk too much about contests ive won lol. learning how to not suck at just flat producing this stuff takes a while, but i guess i’ve won a few contests on newgrounds.com along with ~$50 cash prizes and random merchandise [not exactly the most prestigious of awards haha]. the tough thing about most of these contests for more mainstream music is that it often boils down to how much you advertise yourself rather than how good your music is… </p>

<p>though nonetheless i would consider it a decent part of who i am, if only because ive dedicated so much free time to it. my academics are strong enough, but i thought that maybe showing this side of me might be a way to round out my image a bit, so far as college apps go, since ive pretty much only personally met like 3 other high school kids who actually seriously do this stuff (no, tooling around on garageband doesnt count. lol).</p>

<p>idk what call to make haha. maybe ill jst limit it to essays and talk a bit about the technicals of it all since the music CD supplements appear to be more geared toward people going for actual composition and western classical performance tracks, but i guess ill see.</p>

4

<p>p4c, it may be stretching the envelope, it may not. I’m not sure what other advice I can give.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>