Performance Resume

<p>Hi All, forgive my ignorance on this subject. Can someone provide a source or an example for format of a performance resume? What types of performances would a student include on this resume?</p>

<p>S (rising senior) interested in pursuing music as a major or second major - he's got his school band/choral performances, music theater performance, has accompanied the school choir, etc...do most music major applicants have much MORE than that? Just want to be able to give him the right advice. thoughs appreciated...thanks! :)</p>

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<p>DS did a resume before college applications. It included the above plus his teachers (his happened to be a player in the symphony here), summer programs/festivals, awards he had received, youth symphony information and honors ensembles he had performed with. I don’t know whether this is what “most music major applicants” have or not.</p>

<p>thanks thumper. I guess I’ve got a bit of an inferiority complex where he is concerned. Very talented musician, but a bit “raw” if you will. really doesn’t have a lot of performances outside of the school. So I would like to be very realistic when discussing this with him.</p>

<p>A prior thread with additional links <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/749088-what-include-vocalists-resume.html?highlight=resume[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/749088-what-include-vocalists-resume.html?highlight=resume&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>JustaMom5465: I’m not sure what kind of resume you are inquiring about: a resume for a student applying to major in music performance (the type thumper refers to) or a resume of one’s performances (which your original post seems to refer to). I will address both types.</p>

<p>Assuming that you mean the more general resume that a student applying to music performance programs would assemble, then I would suggest you might want to look at the sample that the Interlochen Arts Academy has on their website (google interlochen resume). I do not think that the resume there is ideal, but it can give you some ideas. For example, when listing private teachers, I would not give all of their addresses and phone numbers (but would specify the range of years and, if necessary, the instrument). If the college wants private teacher contact info, then their application will specifically require it. </p>

<p>The resume needs to be kept as brief as possible: I think that one side of a sheet of paper is great, but two sides is acceptable.</p>

<p>I think that it is helpful to include an abbreviated version of the student’s non-musical accomplishments to demonstrate that they are not a one-trick pony.</p>

<p>Here are the headings that I recall my son using in his resume for performance programs (and probably about half of the programs required a resume):<br>

  1. Instructors (we included instructors on instruments other than his intended major as a means of indicating that he had studied piano and french horn)
  2. Summer Programs & Masterclasses
  3. Ensembles
  4. Music Awards
  5. Academics (if there is nothing that you want to draw attention to here or if your child is just average, then this heading could be omitted)
  6. Extra-Curricular/Work/Volunteer Experience</p>

<p>If the resume you are interested in is one that focuses exclusively on performances (which seems unlikely given what I know of many music schools’ requirements), then in addition to the ensemble performances you list, I would list any performances at competitions and any solo recitals or other solo performances.</p>

<p>A couple more resume thoughts:</p>

<p>Don’t sweat too much over whether your child has a bigger or smaller resume than others. The audition will, of course, be the primary determinant for music performance. If an auditioner plays well, then they get in; if they play poorly, then the best resume in the world will not get them in.</p>

<p>Strong music performance applicants come with an incredible variety of musical backgrounds and their resumes reflect this.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, I appreciate the input and links. I ask because a couple of the schools that S is looking at have requirements such as

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<p>I am afraid that on paper he will look weak, although his musical talent is pretty strong. It seems strange to me, that - for instance, no one would ask what sort of “economics” [or insert other major] experience someone would have. So I’m just trying to figure out what’s important/expected of candidates. </p>

<p>Again - thanks for the input.</p>

<p>Yes, music admission is very different when compared to most other academic disciplines. A potential economics major does not need to have ever studied any economics, but a potential music major needs tons of musical training and skill development. </p>

<p>I too am somewhat puzzled by what is meant by a “performance resume.” I am more familiar with the term “music resume.” I suggest that you contact someone in music admissions at the school to ask what sorts of things they like to see in such a resume. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about weakness on paper: it really is the audition that matters for a music performance major. In this respect, music admissions are very, very different from other admissions where the paper is often the only thing that matters. </p>

<p>If the auditioning panel sees potential in your son, then he will get admitted regardless of what is on paper (unless he exhibits serious academic deficits). He needs to focus on preparing his audition repertoire to the best of his ability so that he can demonstrate his potential.</p>

<p>Thanks violindad. that is a bit reassuring. Also, fwiw, he is not looking to go into a Music Performance major - for now, thinking of combined programs that also require admission to school of music (for example, Neuroscience + BA in Music; another is Acoustical Engineering & Music). </p>

<p>So - I guess he needs to focus on getting a great audition together…</p>