<p>I'm an asian male who has been doing music for a loong time- by the time I'm a senior, I'll have been playing violin for 13 years, and piano for 10. I've gotten some decent things, like participation in the New England Music Festival for violin, participation in a youth symphony (very high-level), 4th chair in all-state for violin, Eastern regionals, etc. but no national awards. For piano, I've gotten 2nd place in a piano competition, but again, not national level or anything. I've also been a finalist for the Rayburn Chamber Music competition sponsored by Yale, if that means anything.</p>
<p>I just wanted to know if my commitment (13 years violin and 10 years piano) means anything by itself, and then how much the various awards I have received count for. </p>
<p>Also volunteering-
Every week volunteer at nursing home by playing piano
Played in pit orchestras as a volunteer for plays, about 100 hours total.</p>
<p>Your commitment definitely means a lot haha…I mean, I know it doesn’t look as great as going to carnegie hall or something, but it’s all about how you present it.</p>
<p>nah, carnegie with orch is…really not that fantastic lol.
now…if you’re good enough to win something (intl of course) and perform at carnegie, your ec’s shoot up and are much much much much much more impressive.</p>
<p>Your music commitment can definitely help you, especially if you plan to pursue it in college. I have two friends, one a Carnegie Hall solo-playing violinist who got into Princeton partially due to his musical abilities and another who had below-par grades but an amazing cello-ist (all state first chair by a long shot for all four years of high school and also played in some professional orchestras in the top chairs) who got into Vandi due to his musical abilities. </p>
<p>Well, are you asking how any high schools are that good (not many) or how good the kids are who get into hpyscm because of music (extradordinarily, national level)?</p>
<p>@Waverly: well yeah, I guess music’s the biggest thing going for me (besides yale research) for my shot at hpyscm, so I guess the latter… I unfortunately don’t plan on majoring in music in college</p>
<p>@Jubileeeeee, thanks for the info. That’s quite interesting, and very impressive! I don’t know anyone good enough to do solos at carnegie hall… how on earth did he get that opportunity?</p>
<p>I’ve seen many young musicians have solos in performances at CH. That’s the point, they are truly exceptional. I’d say a huge percentage of kids who’ve taken lessons for years in the tri state area play at CH at some point. Heck, music teachers put on performances there seen by no one but friends and families all the time.</p>
<p>Admissions committees see tens of thousands of kids who’ve plaid piano, violin and other instruments most of their lives. This is something tiger moms and many others insist on. Someone in a state level orchestra, in all honesty, is a dime a dozen at top colleges.</p>
<p>also, how many of these musicians also receive good grades as well? I know that there’s a high correlation between musical performance and academic achievement, but I feel like the number of people who are both carnegie-hall level and get good grades are much lower…</p>
<p>^ Valedictorian at my school last year had the highest grades and went to CH twice for violin I believe (either one or both was a solo). Was also on NPR where she played the violin and tap danced haha. </p>
<p>Honestly though, the one piece of advice I’ll give you is that all these kids aren’t any better than you, they just had everything planned out better (or, in most cases, their parents planned it out for them >.>). Some even petition to get into higher classes so their kids can take more APs/less overall classes to boost GPA (something most kids don’t even know about!). I’m honestly pretty bitter about kids whose parents put them in classes before they can even talk properly…just so they can get into an ivy. I mean, sure, they achieved a lot, but I respect the person who started on their own more…just my completely random two cents.</p>
<p>You’re not asking the right questions. At the level school you’re looking at you’re not going to be compared to other musicians if you’re not in the elite, exceptionally talented musician arena. So if I’m reading this right and your top accomplishment is 4th chair at state level and other regional honors, you will not be one of the year’s serious musical prodigy interested.</p>
<p>As far as arts supplements go, I’ll tell you what I always tell my students. At top schools they can help if you are extremely talented, but they can really hurt if you’re not. You are telling them this is your great strength, if they don’t agree its great, you’re cooked. So ask some people in the know in the college music world to review your supplement and only send it if they deem it exceptional.</p>
<p>But like I said, she wasn’t the “smartest” one in school(even though tons of people thought she was…I won’t elaborate because I’ll end up ranting for hours haha), just the best prepared. Her parents put her in violin/tap/piano when she was 3 or 4 or something…and I know many “tiger mom” types do things like that. Again, don’t think any less of what you’ve achieved. Ever. You’re doing what you love, and that’s what matters in the long run - let the colleges see that (essay, supplement, what have you), and you’ll be set. Going off what waverly said, you’re trying to show that you’re passionate about it - not that you’re a prodigy.</p>
<p>Wow hey I just saw this again. Thanks for your responses. Ok so as Waverly said, I know I am not a prodigy/musician, but I was hoping that perhaps my accomplishments for music will help me stand out amongst the hoards of kids that get good grades and have good ec’s, yet mostly academic-based. Thanks for the advice about the supplements, though, I’ll really make sure I get a good idea of my skills before I submit anything stupid :P</p>
<p>meep1234, you have a great mindset, and I appreciate your kind advice! I DO do what I love, and as you said I hope college adcoms will realize that. Heh I also improvise rock music for fun, maybe that’s worth more than my classical abilities :P</p>