Piano Supplement

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

Hello everybody!

I will be applying SCEA to Princeton in the fall and am considering submitting an arts supplement. I’ve played piano for 12 years now, and while I’m not the next Rubinstein, my teacher has told me on multiple occasions that I have an exceptional talent. And, most importantly, I absolutely love playing the piano. I consider it a major part of my life.

I am possessed of no extraordinary technical prowess; rather, my real strength lies in my interpretation and musicality. So naturally I’m inclined to favor the Romantics. I have a few Chopin waltzes and mazurkas that I play well, and I got rave reviews from the entire music department on my interpretation of the 1st movement of the Moonlight Sonata, but I’m wondering if I need to throw in some Bach inventions to show that I’m capable of more technical pieces as well.

I’ve just started work on Rach’s prelude in C sharp minor, but should I ditch it in favor of some Bach or Haydn? I feel that it’d be best to play to my strengths, but my teacher seems committed to forming a more well-rounded repertoire. Thoughts?

Many thanks!

2

Go for it. It cn only help you, especially if you’re as good as your teacher says.

3

Answered my own question with a bit of Internet digging! For anyone else curious, Princeton suggests one work of Bach, the first movement of a Haydn/Beethoven/Mozart sonata, and a solo 19th or 20th century piece.

4

Can you post a link? I could never find anything.

5

@codemachine http://admission.princeton.edu/sites/admission/files/pdfs/Optional_Arts_Submission_Types.pdf It’s pretty well hidden, but I’m glad I found it as my supplement would not have fit the requested format otherwise!