Music Arts Supplement Questions

College Majors Music Major
1

<p>I'm not looking to be a music major (maybe minor!) but I play both sax and guitar. The Arts Supplement asks for a 10-minute CD or DVD. Is it preferable to have either one? I think a CD would be more appropriate for music but the DVD lets you have video.</p>

<p>If I decide to do a DVD, should I record myself playing at home or have a couple videos of performances I've been in? I could do a mix.</p>

<p>If I have a CD I could either record me playing alone or record me playing with a friend or one of my music teachers. I think it would be interesting to have me playing rhythm guitar and overlay me playing the sax, but I don't know if this would be appropriate?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance :)</p>

2

<p>Wow, 10 minutes is long for a music supplement. I am curious: were you given this time line by several schools?</p>

<p>I think a CD is fine and you can do whatever you want as long as you explain it in detail. You can have a CD with a solo, and the mix of guitar and sax, and playing with a friend/teacher, with 3 minutes for each, for example.</p>

<p>Label the CD nicely, make a CD case and label that (name, piece, program applying to), and enclose a description with more details.</p>

<p>Also enclose a music resume if you can, and a program or two from concerts if they are relevant.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your input! I got the 10-minute thing from the CommonApp:

</p>

<p>They also had something about a resume but I didn’t know exactly how to format it:

</p>

4

<p>I addressed a similar supp question here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/965199-question-about-arts-supplement-applications-thats-some-alliteration.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/965199-question-about-arts-supplement-applications-thats-some-alliteration.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It would be to your benefit to read through the links there.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Not at all appropriate. If you want to play both instruments, then submit a track for each. “Overlaying” is contrary to what is expected, if not specifically stated. Go to the websites of the schools you are applying to, and see if any have specific instructions as to what is required, or requested. I’m not familiar with what the Common App’s instructions specify, but the standard for any music program, prescreening submission, taped audition or festival application will state and expect an unedited, unenhanced recording. </p>

<p>Plenty of technical recording how-to’s here in prior threads, including options on equipment, venues, as well as ethical discussions concerning “stretching the envelope”.</p>

<p>Try searching “prescreening”, “recording”, “taped audition”. If you can’t find them let me know and I’ll pull a few links.</p>

<p>The most recent music resume thread, with additional links within: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/954826-performance-resume.html?highlight=resume[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/954826-performance-resume.html?highlight=resume&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;