<p>I play the piano and was thinking of including a recording for my college apps. However, because of my schedule, I doubt that I have the time to "revive" some songs and to go to a studio. Would it be allowable for me to use old recordings of my recitals and concerts to make the recording? Or do I need to make it a recent recording...? The thing is, in some of the old recordings, there's applause which, from what I gather, probably shouldn't be included. Any advice would be great. Thanks.</p>
<p>Bump Please</p>
<p>You can edit the old one so it doesn't have the applause and send it...there shouldn't be any problem with it unless it's from like 10-15 years ago...</p>
<p>Just curious, if we want to send something in, do we have to gewt it professionally recorded? I was thinking of doing it on a computer. . .</p>
<p>Be careful with the editing... check with the music department at the school(s) you're applying to. Schools with high level programs, competitive ensembles requiring auditions may disregard any edited performance especially if the edit is within parts of a movement.</p>
<p>The applause in and of itself is not an issue. I'm assuming it's between pieces. Edit it out if it can be done cleanly. Pay attention to any suggested time limits/durations for submissions.</p>
<p>Yes, you can record through your computer, doesn't have to be studio or conservatory audition quality (unless you are sending in a prescreening tape for admissions purpose/consideration). Success will depend on your knowledge, equipment and level of expertise here.</p>
<p>If you've lost your "chops" from the point you made your earlier recording and now, you really either should do what you can to raise your performance to your previous level instead of sending an earlier performance that is not now representative of your current level of play.</p>
<p>Depending onthe school/program, an arts supplement may result in a small music scholarship if you commit to some participation in performance. This is very school specific.</p>
<p>Can you put more than one piece on a CD? I know they probably only listen to the first 5-10 minutes if that much. Also, some schools state that to submit a CD you must have extraordinary talent. What do they mean by that? Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, you can put more than one piece on a CD, but I'd suggest staying within the schools recommended time duration limit.</p>
<p>Extraordinary talent can be defined as playing at a level far beyond the norm. Think competition level.</p>
<p>Principal chair in a high school orchestra or youth symphony, selection as an All state musician may or may not indicate extraordinary talent... alot will depend upon the qualities of the school system, yo's. Additionally, in some geographic areas, a percentage of the top players aren't even involved in programs that would qualify them for All-State, or choose not to participate as they are far above that level of play. They may well be practicing, involved in high level individualized study, or preparing for competitions, or auditions for schools like Curtis, Juilliard, NEC, Indiana, and a host of others.</p>
<p>If you've taken years of private study, are highly proficient, and have an honest professional assessment of your current abilities and potential, by all means send a CD to a school limiting submissions to the highly qualified.</p>
<p>Raffles, beyond the conservatories and top level programs, I'd be curious as to where the "extraordinary talent" limitation is imposed. At certain Ivy's, there is an extraordinary high level of musicianship, even for those not majoring in music. Yale, Princeton, Harvard come to mind. MIT as well has a number of "extraordinary" musicians in the student pool. </p>
<p>There are many competition level players in college who are not pursuing music as a career path, or at the undergrad level. Some are qualified to and will enter grad level performance programs after achieving non-music undergrad degrees.</p>
<p>Violadad, the "extraordinary talent" is not so much imposed. It is implied and it is one school. Here is the link: <a href="http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/announcements/farf.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/announcements/farf.html</a>.
I suppose Stanford does not want to receive too many supplements. I guess the "extraordinary talent" is a scary phrase because it sounds like they only want people who have competed or similiar situations. Thank you for your input.</p>
<p>Raffles-</p>
<p>Now that you've identified the phrase as emanating from Stanford, it makes sense in the context of what I've stated above about certain schools. Stanford well fits this category, as the student body is assembled form a broad base of highly motivated, multi-talented students who display varying levels of expertise across a number of disciplines.</p>
<p>Note : playing at a competition level does not necesarily means you have actually entered competitions. There are multitudes of exceptional musicians who chose not to do so.</p>
<p>Yes, it's probably stated the way it is so as to minimize the number of supplements submitted.</p>
<p>Don't let this sway you. I stand by what I wrote before:</p>
<p><if you've="" taken="" years="" of="" private="" study,="" are="" highly="" proficient,="" and="" have="" an="" honest="" professional="" assessment="" your="" current="" abilities="" potential,="" by="" all="" means="" send="" a="" cd="" to="" school="" limiting="" submissions="" the="" qualified.=""></if></p>
<p>If you honestly feel you fall in that criteria, by all means send a supplement.</p>
<p>If you submit a tape of a live performance, be sure to include the date of the performance. (In general, it's a good idea to include the date of a recording in any case.) I'd say leave some of the applause in. A strong live performance works in your favor if it reflects your current level of playing. If you send in an old performance, you should also send in something recent.</p>
<p>The recording doesn't have to be professional level. It just has to be clear. And if you are using a piano, be sure to get it tuned.</p>
<p>You should submit only one CD. Put all selections on the same CD. Most supplements ask you to list the pieces/composers. Many schools ask for two contrasting works, not to exceed 15 minutes. Check individual schools for more detailed instructions.</p>
<p>Submit a tape if music performance is one of your very top EC's and you've distinguished yourself in some way. You should be at the level where you could reasonably consider being a music major somewhere (though not necessarily at a top music school or conservatory). And you should indicate that you plan to continue to be involved in music in college if that is true.</p>