<p>I'm researching requirements for music supplements at different schools DS is interested in. He won't be a music major but has played for years, has had excellent summer music experiences, is first chair at his HS and has done well at All State orchestra.</p>
<p>The issue is that instructions vary a good deal.</p>
<p>Does that mean he should prepare multiple supplements? </p>
<p>One school says no more than 20 minutes, another up to 15 minutes and the Common App says up to ten minutes but you can provide a link to a web service with pieces. </p>
<p>I'm hoping some of you have experience with this and can provide guidance.</p>
<p>Good luck. S never did the music supplement because most of the schools were so discouraging about it–the message was send it if you must, but only if you are REALLY outstanding–even though it was his main EC besides track/cross-country. His accomplishments were in the same ballpark as your son’s. He felt that he shouldn’t send it unless he was a conservatory level applicant, which he wasn’t.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it is my understanding that the famous Andison was good enough to appear on From the Top and didn’t send a supplement. Sometimes excessive modesty is not a good idea.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would go with ten minutes, unless there is something your S can REALLY show off by going longer. I would venture to guess that few of the music dept people who are sent these cases to review listen to more that a few minutes unless the player really grabs them at the outset. But I may be wrong. :)</p>
<p>It may also depend on the instrument. Violinists like my S are a dime a dozen among elite school applicants.</p>
<p>My daughter contacted the heads of the music department, orchestra directors, and instrument teachers to find out what they wanted. At her two first choice schools, she had lessons with the private teachers when we visited.</p>
<p>If your kiddo is interested in playing in a college ensemble, he needs to find out what it takes to be able to do so. The supplement might not be the necessary ingredient.</p>
<p>My ds will do a music supplement. In terms of the varying requirements, he will likely work his way backwards. Meaning, he will prepare what would be the longest required supplement first and then cut down for shorter supplements. The Common App supplement is particularly challenging since it can only be ten minutes long. Many (most) of his pieces exceed that length. Because contrasting styles are requested, the Common App supplement will likely just have excerpts from two pieces. Thus, he will take the longest recording that contains everything in its entirety, and just cut two pieces down to the allowed ten minute time frame.</p>
<p>We called the schools and asked if they would like my daughter to cue the CD and indicate times for what she considered her best 3 minutes. (A top conservatory had asked for this, so we thought the college might find it helpful, especially the admissions folks.) We never found out whether the admissions people sent the CD over to the music department, but in any case, figured it would help them out to have only a short segment to deal with.</p>
<p>For the supplement, we also found that enclosing a music resume, some programs, and especially teacher recommendations (my daughter had two from music teachers, in the supplement, separate from the teacher and GC letters in the main common app) were key. Comments about talent are great, but the CD can tell that, so comments about work ethic, interest level, personality etc. can be an important part of those letters.</p>
<p>When my S was applying to schools, we ended up doing an arts supplement as a website. Even though he didn’t plan to major in music, it was a significant EC and continues to be something he is involved in while attending college.</p>
<p>He ended up being admitted early decision, but we also noticed how each school had different criteria. His ED school encouraged submission of an arts supplement if it was a significant EC, but some of the other schools he was considering said not to send one unless he was planning to major in music.</p>
<p>As a website, you can list it under “Additional Information.” His website included a performing arts resume and links to performances.</p>
<p>Many of the top performers don’t major in music, so in our experience schools were interested in a supplement from anyone with genuine talent, regardless of major. Schools want a nice mix of talents on campus, and they also want excellent players for their extracurricular orchestra, ensembles and bands.</p>
<p>At the same time,most of us have heard that sending a sample that is not outstanding, can sometimes work against you.</p>
<p>I think calling the individual schools will be most helpful to you 
They can answer any questions you have and won’t mind the call at all.</p>
<p>I think you need to answer the questions…does my kid think the music supplement will help in admissions? OR what does my kid need to do to be able to play in ensembles in college?</p>
<p>Why are you sending the music supplement?</p>
<p>DD was first seat on her instrument in our state for several years. One of her college criteria was to play her (underrepresented) instrument in the college orchestra. That she was a very accomplished player on her instrument had NO impact on her college admissions…none (we know this because we asked). However, the school she ultimately chose was one were she was able to play her instrument for all four years in their orchestra…and she also got free lessons…and $750 performance scholarship per year. </p>
<p>She did NOT send in a supplement, but did have a trial lesson with the teachers at her top two choices.</p>
<p>What’s the format these days? It seems when my son applied to colleges a few years ago, music supplement consisted of mp3 files and essay. But youtube was not yet as mainstream.</p>