So, I’m planning on applying to Manhattan School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Mannes School of Music, and New England Conservatory and I’m lucky enough to be in a situation where I have 5 strong recommendation letters available to me.
-I have a teacher I studied with over the summer who’s an alumni from Manhattan School of Music
-my current teacher, who’s the principal violist in the symphonic orchestra where I live and is also an alumni of Manhattan School of Music (added note: I’m his current only pre-universitary student; he teaches undergraduates and graduates only), -my old teacher who I studied with for 4 years who knows me well and has witnessed me playing my first solo, applying for summer programs, etc. He also chatted with the conductor from the undergraduate & graduate orchestra program to allow me to collaborate with the orchestra
-the conductor of said undergraduate & graduate program, whom I’ve studied under for almost 4 years.
- my English teacher (my best subject). I honestly included her because I saw NEC requires a recommendation letter from a non-musician
I feel like all these people have been great teachers and mentors to me and can write me strong recommendation letters. Now, for the majority of these schools, only 2-3 recommendation letters are required, so my question is: can I send in extra recommendation letters? I’m thinking for the schools who don’t require a non-musician recommendee I’ll exclude my English teacher and maybe my old teacher’s recommendation letter. I’m not sure if I should exclude my old teacher’s letter though since I studied with him for so long… please help.
(Also, I hope I don’t come across like I’m bragging while listing who my recommendees are. I just wanted to give an idea of who they are and their experiences)