<p>Is anybody sendng in a CD of music - instrumental or voice? If so, how many songs/pieces are you putting on there and how did you choose?</p>
<p>You should contact the Department of Music directly. Last year (for my son's instrument, anyway) there were specific requirements with respect to both content and length -- two pieces from different periods, maximum 10 minutes.</p>
<p>Do they have to be originial compositions?</p>
<p>No -- unless you're a composer submitting examples of your compositions, in which case I imagine you'd submit them in printed form, not audio form. My son (pianist) submitted a Bach Prelude & Fugue and a Chopin Etude.</p>
<p>if I'm not planning on majoring in music but want to send in a music supplement with my application to show the non-academic side of my life, would that be plausible? or do i have to be majoring in music to specifically do this?</p>
<p>You do not have to plan to be a music major to send a supplement. But the general recommendation is that only very accomplished musicians who plan to continue playing at college should send supplements. When you send a supplement, the admissions officers do not evaluate it themselves. Assuming you get past the requisite threshold with respect to grades, curriculum, and test scores, the admissions committee will forward your supplement to the appropriate department for a ranking. Mediocre supplements don't help an applicant's cause. So if you're quite accomplished, send a supplement. If you're in doubt, maybe your teacher could help you decide whether to put one together. If you're not going to send a CD, it's definitely worthwhile to list your music activities in your resume.</p>
<p>i was planning to major in music a little while back (because of my high rank in my state on trombone and my solo awards), but I changed my mind (future finances and stuff like that... i can still keep music as my hobby and not make it my job).. i still plan to play in college and do music as a side (my own practicing and some lessons here and there), but i was just wondering if sending a supplement in would help my admission chances.. but if they don't send it off to the proper department until after i would get accepted based on academics, then there would be no point, would there? unless it were to help my chances</p>
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if they don't send it off to the proper department until after i would get accepted based on academics, then there would be no point, would there?
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<p>Let me clarify my previous post. You don't have to be "accepted" based on academics in order to have your CD sent to the music department. You do have to get past a certain gate with the basic elements of grades/curriculum/scores, in other words, not be deemed INADMISSIBLE on academic grounds. (I imagine there are a tiny handful of exceptions – someone with the name recognition of say, Lang Lang, probably would get a free pass.) </p>
<p>During an on-campus interview with a music program chair at another Ivy (not Yale) last year my son learned that music supplements -- even supplements that might be extraordinary -- are not sent to the appropriate faculty for review if the rest of the application doesn't get past the basic academic threshold. The chair said her department actually reviewed only about 20% of the piano CDs that came in last year. The music faculty just doesn't have time to review CDs of students deemed inadmissible on academic grounds. </p>
<p>And that's why a fine arts supplement, even one that is stellar, will in the vast majority of cases not help a student who is deemed inadmissible on academic grounds. The arts supplement will never make it out of the admissions office.</p>
<p>The music awards you have listed will usually indicate to the admissions office how good you are. They'll understand your general aptitude without having to pass the CD on the music department folks. That's why it's overkill unless you are at or near conservatory quality. Read the Q&A about supplemental materials on the Yale admissions website. I read it as trying to discourage CDs from people who are merely highly proficient in their instrument.</p>
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at or near conservatory quality
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<p>Agree that that's a good standard. If you're not certain whether to send a supplement, you probably shouldn't. But I definitely think it's something you and your private teacher should discuss.</p>
<p>I think everyone's definition of being "accomplished" vary...and I've been playing piano for ten years and I'm advanced but it's not like I'm a professional performer, so I am at a loss because I dont' know whether or not I should submit one.</p>
<p>ok, so the general consensus is the supplements aren't all that important since only 20% are even looked at?</p>
<p>No, no. Your supplement will only get looked at if you are potentially admissible. But...many potentially admissible people are rejected. Your supplement could help you get admitted if it is very strong and the music department tells admissions that they want you. In other words, it could distinguish you from somebody else who is also potentially admissible but who doesn't have something extra. But we're talking about very top performance here--not just proof that you are interested in music, but proof that you excel.</p>
<p>No, Peytoncline. IF your supplement makes it to the proper department, and IF it is given an outstanding rating, it can definitely help your application. It is evidence of exceptional talent in an extracurricular activity, a level of achievement that will impress admissions officers.</p>