Hey guys. Upenn allows for the submission of an artistic portfolio, and since I’ve been playing the violin for a long time I’m submitting a music portfolio. The issue is that I’m unsure whether I should submit many recordings of me throughout the course of my high school career to display my wide range of repertoire or I should submit only a couple recordings that are my best to showcase the best of my talents in violin. To be honest, I think the latter might be better becuase the music department faulty thst will be reviewing the portfolio probably won’t watch through like 10 videos, so it would maybe better to submit like 2-4 so they can review those videos (which would be higher quality) more in depth. Tell me what you guys think. Thank you!
Also the upenn website says:
"
Most students who are admitted to Penn do not submit supplemental materials. All of the information that we feel is crucial in making an admission decision is contained within our required documents.
While there are some students who may benefit from including additional information, we recommend that you think very carefully before sending in supplementary material. In many cases, too many extra documents can take away from the strength of your application. In short, keep it simple!"
In other words, what Penn wants is an exceptional supplemental material, and that’s typically the case with other top colleges, as well. For these colleges, as a general rule, submit the arts supplement only if you’re at a top conservatory level talent. These colleges typically receive arts supplement, say violin performance, from those applicants who’ve been with the Pre-College Juilliard, NEC, Colburn since they were very young with a dozen concerto competition wins, some international, under their belts. If you’re at this level, then by all means submit it. Penn should have provided very specific instructions on how to submit your file, but you definitely don’t want to submit “many recordings of me throughout the course of my high school career…”
Yea I’m up to thst level for music, so it should be better to submit just a couple of my best performances right? Upenn doesn’t specify how many I should submit for the portfolio btw, but like does 2-4 sound good to showcase my best works?
I agree with @TiggerDad ; don’t send “many recordings of me throughout the course of my high school career…” 2-3 short pieces of contrasting styles would be my recommendation.
Keep in mind that the portfolio is reviewed by members of the music department, whose primary responsibility is not to listen to supplements. And not all supplements get forwarded.
Agree with the above. Submit a couple of recordings that best demonstrate the quality and breadth of your talent. Nobody is interested in a long retrospective of your HS music career. Respect the fact that the people who might review the supplement are busy.
One way to get guidance on what to include is to look at the audition requirements for some good music programs, and notice any trends. For example, you’ll see that they just want 2-3 pieces, and it’s not unusual to want contrasting styles. That it’s not normally entire pieces, but movements from pieces. Etc. So have a look at Eastman, for example:
https://www.esm.rochester.edu/admissions/ugrad/repertoire/#strings
And someplace a bit less elite re: music, but still good, like SUNY New Paltz:
https://www.newpaltz.edu/music/admissions.html#auditions
Look at a few more as well. Get an idea of what’s normally required of the pieces - don’t include the sight reading or scales or etc. they ask for - focus on the pieces they want. Then pick 2-3 pieces/movements that work.
You may not need to submit the recording if you can prove that you are at that level, awards, membership of famours orchestra etc.
thank you guys!
Im still deciding which ones to cut from my portfolio, but currently I have a technical concerto (paganini no 2), a lyrical song (nocturne 20), a fundamental piece (bach sonata 2 grave), a long concerto (tschaik violin concerto), and a more modern piece (ysaye sonata 3)
i play violin too, i’d say cut the long concerto. prioritize the most challenging and rigorous pieces. in the end i don’t think you want to send more than 1-2 minutes of audio
Talk to your music teacher and ask them too.
Thank you guys for all the input I appreciate it greatly. I’ve narrowed the portfolio down to three contrasting pieces!
yay good luck!
Good luck