<p>H, D, and I are debating whether a letter of recommendation from the orchestra teacher is "appropriate." While this teacher doesn't necessarily know my D's school work, she does know D well. D will have had this teacher for 6 years at graduation (had her in MS also) Teacher has seen her grow into a responsible (mostly) young woman. I think she understands that D is a bright girl. </p>
<p>A couple of alternatives are her calculus teacher (only for a trimester so far), a Spanish teacher, or perhaps an English teacher from Jr. year. (The one she had for 2 trimesters last year has retired so English teacher only had her for a single trimester.) </p>
<p>FYI--This particular recommendation simply requires a teacher recommendation (doesn't specify it must be an academic teacher.) </p>
<p>As it is a longstanding association, and the teacher can speak to leadership, personal drive and motivation, dedication to a task, and personal growth, the recommendation from an orchestra director or music educator is just as valid as an academic discipline, and in some cases be even more so.</p>
<p>Although my D was applying to music schools, so her situation was different than your D's, one of her recommendation letters was from her band teacher (who, like your daughter, she had had for 6 years). She felt said teacher knew her very well. If you decide to use the music teacher, make sure she has a copy of your D's "resumé" and knows at least her approximate average/class rank as well as what classes she is taking this year. Music teacher can then also refer to your D's academics and extracurriculars when writing her letter, thus giving a broader picture than just music. I think the personal touch from someone who knows a student well is preferable to a teacher she has had only briefly and makes a letter standout in the admissions office!</p>
<p>Son had an excellent Orchestra teacher with HS age kids who knew how to write recommendations and likewise knew the kids many years- she was known for asking kids about other aspects of their lives and was in touch with them (eg sports, academic awards) and I have seen the checkoff boxes to be used with letters from teachers, I therefore can see such a teacher being able to comment on the student. Music teachers have gone to college and are part of the HS staff, I'm sure they are aware of the importance of the letters. This teacher can testify to many traits and certainly has known those who drop out and those who work hard. Try to get a second rec from an academic teacher as well.</p>
<p>DS and DD both had their high school music ensemble teacher write them letters of recommendation. DD is NOT a music major but this teacher was able to write a letter about her leadership and committment. Her letters came from this teacher, her 11th grade English teacher and her 11th grade math teacher.</p>
<p>DS is a music major. All of his letters were from the music folks:)</p>
<p>Orchestra and band teachers are great for recommendations. They know which kids are dedicated, take leadership roles, show up on time, and they usually get to know the kids better than other teachers because they have them for years.</p>
<p>Some schools, and Stanford comes to mind, are specific in requiring letters of recommendation from teachers of academic subjects. Stanford is probably in the minority in being so specific, but it is best to carefully check the requirements of the specific schools.
[quote]
Stanford requests that
you submit two, and no more than two, teacher evaluations
from teachers who have taught you in grades 11 and/or
12 in two different subject areas from among the following:
English, mathematics, science, foreign language, and
history/ social studies.
<p>The bear's Orchestra teacher wrote a great one because she knew her for four years and wrote about leadership, team building and her "border collie" tendancies.</p>