I’m not sure if this goes here, hopefully it does lol. For a lot of colleges, I’ve noticed they ask for musical awards and accomplishments on resumes. I’ve only participated in one competition (didn’t place) and my teacher/school doesn’t do the awards thing. I basically have no way of getting awards except through competitions, but my parents don’t really want to get into the “competition circuit” and anyways we can’t usually afford the high application fees. Since I haven’t received any types of musical awards in high school, could that hurt me when applying for colleges ? Thanks in advance
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It won’t matter for conservatories. What matters is your audition.
Awards don’t matter that much. Are you applying for a BM or BA degree? Conservatory/music school or college/university?
If you are applying for a BM program and therefore will be auditioning, glassharmonica’s advice is the best. Focus on the audition because that is what matters.
If you are applying to a BA program that does not have auditions for admission, you can submit a music supplement to the Common Application. Include a CD or DVD of your playing, a resume that includes years of study, repertoire, concerts you have played in, summer programs if any, workkshops etc. And have a letter of recommendation or two, from teachers or directors. Often the letters are helpful if they mention things like work ethic, ability to work with others, perseverance or character and so on.
You’ll be fine. I personally dislike competitions in the arts!!
Yes, focus on your audition as others have said. My S received a very nice music merit scholarship package from Eastman School of Music without having any real awards. Also, when he submitted his applications to music programs, he included a resume that focused specifically on his music accomplishments at his high school, state/regional/national honor ensembles, and community ensembles, which I am sure helped give them a more complete picture of who he is as a performer. But if you don’t nail that audition, then none of the other things will matter.
Best of luck!
Agree totally, competitions and awards might work if you are applying to an academic program (in music or not) as part of the supplement, but music schools for the most part won’t give that much heed IME/IMO. In the end, for a BM degree it is going to come down to the audition, pure and simple, and I wouldn’t worry about awards or competitions or all state or all region, etc or the lack thereof.
Ditto - no awards for my D until second semester of Sr year…after acceptance.
Oh wow this is a huge relief lol thanks everyone!