How to put piano on resume?

Applying to College
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<p>Hi everyone, I'm a rising senior trying to put together a resume for college apps, and while I've had no trouble listing academics and most of my ECs, I'm kind of stumped as far as how to translate proficiency at piano on a resume. </p>

<p>I've been playing since I was three starting in the suzuki program and later moved on to teacher who is a brilliant concert pianist, Julliard graduate, and graduate piano professor at a local university. I studied under her from the age of eight to fifteen winning many local, state, and regional competitions and awards. I personally consider myself a very good pianist, nothing extraordinary, but my teacher seriously wanted me to apply to Julliard saying I was a once-in-a-lifetime student. I was playing pieces that most graduates found difficult at thirteen but had, and still have, no aspirations to major in music or play piano professionally. At fourteen I severely injured my wrist practicing too much for an upcoming national competition (5-6 hours a day) and had to stop completely for a few years or risk indefinite paralysis in my wrist. Now, at seventeen, I'm carefully beginning to pick it up again, but I'm not ready for any kind of regional or national competition at this point. The problem is, competitions are one of the only ways I can think of to prove proficiency at piano on a piece of paper. I was going to play in a solo concert that my teacher was setting up for me but then I injured my wrist and I don't see that happening again before next spring. I do plan on auditioning for a spot in the GYSO orchestra this summer, which includes a summer playing at concerts all across Europe, but as there is only one piano spot, and I've been out for a bit, I'm not confident I could secure that one spot.</p>

<p>So, anyways, does anyone know how best to translate proficiency at piano on a resume? Because I want to be a Biology major, I don't think I should write out a whole musical resume with every difficult piece I've played recently and whatnot. Besides, music isn't even my strongest or main EC so I don't want my EC to scream piano, just let the admission officers know that this was something I took seriously and could do at a high level; not a "just for fun" kind of thing. Should I try more competitions, send in a CD (I had the impression that only music majors did that), get a rec from my teacher, take a lesson from the school's piano professor....any suggestions or help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>My uncle is the head of the piano faculty at a top 30 school (not really known for its music), and when I asked him about sending in an arts supplement for piano, he said it was worth it if I could record conservatory-level pieces. So DEFINITELY submit an arts supplement, and put piano on your EC list. You could write your short EC essay about it and the challenges you’ve overcome, maybe?</p>

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<p>Thanks tarmiriel, that was very helpful.</p>

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<p>I also did piano, but I had done a few competitions for many years, so I had a good way to show proficiency. An arts supplement is the only way I can think to show proficiency if you have no competitions or awards you can list.</p>

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<p>Although I don’t know how to put it on your resume since you haven’t played piano for a while (so no awards, I suppose), I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you write this down in your essay. Seriously, I think that will be a brilliant topic to write about (if you have’t got any).</p>

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<p>I’m surprised you don’t want to major in piano!
Maybe you should start practicing more seriously again and enter a few more competitions before apps are due. It looks like you used to take it very seriously. You can also mention on your resume that you won many competitions studying under a excellent teacher before you hurt your wrist and had to stop for a while. As mentioned above, an essay about this would look awesome too.
I’m an upcoming junior and I also play the piano. I’m actually considering a double major in music and biology becuase I don’t want to quit music because I’m entering college. I’ve won a couple of competitions also.
I know, this is an old thread. :P</p>

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<p>purplejunior30 - Yeah, I suck at piano theology, that’s kind of the main reason; also, while I might minor in piano, my wrist still hurts from time to time and I’m not sure it could handle all the intense practice a piano major would require. That’s so funny that both you and Nzsheeps are majoring in Biology as well as piano. I wasn’t aware that there were so many biology/piano people out there. Air-five! </p>

<p>Nzsheeps - I’m not sure about the tours of halls around Europe or the drum major, but I think you can list Carnegie hall and Lincoln hall performances under the EC section. That’s where I would put it anyways.</p>