<p>My S will be applying to jazz programs both conservatory and university programs this fall. I am wondering how important is "leadership" to these schools? Friends have told him to put down his participation in MENC's regional program last year for leadership (chosen as the only piano player from 6 states). Is this really leadership? Does it really even matter?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>The audition trumphs most everything, but since there is no harm in listing it, then I would definately put it on any applications. It may help in a marginal situation.</p>
<p>Depends on what you mean. In terms of getting into a school of music, not sure how much it would help. On the other hand, if you are talking about leadership skills, then it can be quite valuable to a musician IMO:</p>
<p>-Part of being a leader is about being acutely aware of the people around you, what they can and can’t do, etc. Even if not the leader of a group, the skills it takes to be a good leader often make for a good colleague/comrade, whatever…</p>
<p>-Obviously, once in a section of an orchestra, for example, especially as principal, leadership can come into play, either directly, as section leader, or as an influence on the group.</p>
<p>-Same with chamber music, even if the group has no formal leader per se, there are times when musicians have top step up and lead situationally. </p>
<p>Given that most music happens in ensembles of one kind or another, leadership seems to me to be very important.</p>
<p>If combined with other leadership type things (student council, officer positions for clubs, marching band officer, scouts, leadership in athletics, etc), it could also result in a leadership scholarship. One of the colleges my son applied to gives fairly large scholarships for “leadership.”</p>
<p>As others have said, the audition will be most important. Some schools do give leadership scholarships separately from music scholarships. However, we just attended a scholarship luncheon for son’s school and several of the music scholarships included leadership and community participation as components but the recipients were excellent musicians first and the the leadership component helped differentiate between the merely talented and the talented with leadership skills. So put it down on the applications and good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. Good info. He is talking of taking on another major leadership role at school but I am thinking that he needs to be working on audition material. This will be good for him to read.</p>
<p>I am not really wise like others in this board, but like others have said, I’m sure putting it down wouldn’t work against him at all. =) It shows that one is capable of effectively communicating with others in addition to being a good musician. Now if he was going into Music Ed, I’m sure leadership would merit more importance.</p>
<p>The OP’s second post indicates that one question in their minds is whether it is more important to focus limited time on practicing and preparing for auditions vs. working on the various leadership tasks. Sadly, most conservatories will barely glance at your son’s resume. It’s the audition that will give him access to the school. Once there, his leadership skills will serve him well and help him to be a leader in the conservatory.</p>
<p>Random: As glassharmonica and others have said, the audition is most important even for music ed. Son is a music ed/performance major who had excellent leadership positions throughout his high school career. The music schools didn’t care including the music ed depts. The music ed departments were more concerned (if they interviewed him) with his experiences teaching and his comfort level in inner city teaching situations. He did receive scholarship dollars from the academic side of the colleges and 2 schools did offer him leadership scholarships but the schools of music only cared about the audition. Once you pass the audition then you might get some extra money for leadership in your scholarship package. So put practicing really hard first and get some talent money too. Good luck and I’m sure you’ll do very well since you are very diligent about researching the schools and application process.</p>