<p>I posted this under the SCEA thread, but then decided to just do an open thread as well....sorry for the redundancy.
I have a few questions... I had planned to submit everything via US Postal Service tomorrow afternoon:</p>
<p>I sent my score reports when I took the test... last June, before I even decided on Yale EA. They still have those right?</p>
<p>Also, I am panicking now, because through much effort I have produced a decent CD for my music supplement (or so I'd thought). My piano teacher reviewed it and pronounced it accomplished enough to send. My music school's director reviewed it simultaneously and called us, saying that the recording quality was not up to par of potential "standards" and that I "absolutely should not send it", even though the quality of my playing on that CD is probably if not at, then at least near, my best.
The Yale website states that professional quality is not necessary. I recorded this in an auditorium with professional equipment- but on an upright non-Steinway piano. My director insists that since it is not of professional quality, it would be very disadvantageous, and that I really should not send it.
My next opportunity to schedule recording time in an actual studio may be near Thanksgiving. Also, the quantity of pieces that I would record would be less, as I have other repertoire to prepare for upcoming performances and cannot afford to keep all of these pieces at this level. Should I just send this and then send a replacement when I am able to? Should I just not send it at all? Should I just send it and hope for the best? I am really anxious about this now. What do you all think? Thanks</p>
<p>First, do you think your school's music director is qualified enough for you to take his comments on your playing seriously? Or would your teacher be a better gauge? If it is your best and piano is a huge part of your application, I would say send it. What pieces are you working on/sending?</p>
<p>You said Music School Director, not the Music Director of your school. I imagine therefore that you must attend either a high school for the performing arts or an after school program in music. If it is a Music School Director that is advising you not to send it that might be a different interpretation than if it is the director of music at your high school.
If it is the director of a highly regarded music school or highly experienced music school who is advising you to send it, then perhaps he or she thinks it is not of professional enough quality. Perhaps that person could therefore advise you on how you might improve it.</p>
<p>Consider Vassar College in scenic Poughkeepsie, New York. There are a lot of upright Steinways there.</p>
<p>director of music school, decent one. She suggested I redo it over thanksgiving break. but then I won't be able to make Yale's EA deadline, can I replace it late or something?</p>
<p>I recorded a lot: beethoven, brahms, chopin, debussy, schubert. total about half an hour.</p>
<p>I would call the Admissions Office today and ask if you could speak to an admissions officer. If no one is available you could leave a message for one. I don't think they will want you to submit two, as they will not have the time to listen to both, and there is no reason to listen to the one of lesser quality if you submit the other. I would tell them that you are all ready to send out a recording of your work, but that you would like to have it recorded in a professional studio, or something to that effect, and ask if you could submit it later.
Another option which might solve all of your questions is to email the Director of the music program and ask if you might be able to send the cd directly to him or her for his or her review. If so, there should be no problem with his or her receiving it past the deadline. You could ask this person if they would be so kind as to review it and forward their comments to the admissions office</p>
<p>Great ideas!-I'll try that now- Thank you so much collegebound5!!!!</p>
<p>Trust what the website says. They don't expect everyone to be able to afford a professional quality CD. That would totally discriminate against people who don't have the money for a high quality recording.</p>
<p>The bigger question is whether the caliber of playing in your music supplement is of a high enough quality to warrant sending it in. As I've said in a number of other threads, if you're not at or very near conservatory quality, don't bother.</p>
<p>A director a music school might have different expectations as to quality. Trust the admissions office. Most people can't afford to professionally record.</p>