When colleges ask for repertoires are they asking for all pieces you have played, or just the ones that are performance ready? I don’t plan to be a music major, but I need to submit a resume for my arts portfolio supplement and thought it could add to my application.
Thanks so much!
Once again, NOT planning to be a music major, just wanted to post the discussion here to see what people who might know more about the musical supplement process would think.
I was about ready to ask the same thing.
I asked a similar question last year for jazz studies applications while my son asked his teacher. Didn’t get the feeling that there were any “rules” unless the school specified any in the application instructions. FWIW, this is what he did:
For big band charts, he listed charts he had performed. Made note of any where he was a featured soloist.
For classical pieces, he listed pieces that he had studied with his private teacher. Not all were memorized or performed. For things like etudes, he listed the book/collection, not every individual etude.
For jazz repertoire, he listed pieces that he would be comfortable playing in public, but not necessarily memorized. Litmus test was how he would feel if they called the piece during an audition.
He didn’t list anything for classical symphony band except to note participation in his resume, i.e. list school symphony band, all-state symphony band, etc. under “performance groups”.
I think of it as demonstrating what you can/could play, a way to show the level of your studies and your playing. I guess it can also show the history of your studies (as with guitar etudes). I don’t have a child who is an instrumentalist so I defer to others who do.
I realize you are not a music major, so you probably have greater flexibility, but many schools of music give more specific information about what they want on the resume/repertoire list, or a sample version, and they are often wildly different. Sometimes you have to dig a bit on the music admissions web site to find the information. I’ve seen one school that asks you to include pieces played in large wind ensembles and orchestras in addition to solo and chamber music, which is going to take some digging through old concert programs. Others want specific details and notations e.g. the letter “P” by anything performed publicly or “M” by pieces you have memorized or they want you to list things in a specific order. See Michigan’s requirements for example: http://www.music.umich.edu/prospective_students/admissions/ug/app_proc/resume_rep.htm
For those schools where it isn’t clear what they want, my DS has been calling or emailing to ask.
My own sense is like compmom’s - that they primarily want a better idea of your music and performance background, what solo repertoire you have chosen over time, how much experience you have with chamber music, how much experience you have performing, and (sometimes) an idea of the pieces your larger ensemble groups have played. I don’t really know how admissions committees evaluate resumes, and I’m sure it varies by school and department, but I suspect that they consider all that information as context - yes, a very prepared candidate who also auditions well can stand out due to an extensive resume, but the resume and repertoire list also could help provide context for a candidate who did not live in a place with wonderful music opportunities and ensembles and teachers, yet excels despite that, or who has a lot of potential.
An art supplement for colleges can include a recording, a resume with all your music studies/teachers/summer programs/prep programs etc… Alll the organizations you play for and how long. Repertoire. And a list of performances (programs can be included if concerts were significant.). You can have recommendations from a couple of music teachers or directors. You can even put down any jobs, work or volunteering related to music.
You can really organize it any way you want. These supplements are not standardized in my experience.
List of repertoire gives an idea of your level of playing and how you can contribute on campus.
Classicalsaxmom is experienced and her recommendation that you call the schools is a good one.
I’m actually a pianist, does this change perspective on ensemble and chamber music, since I’m not submitting a supplement for a band/orchestra instrument (I play the trombone as well, but I can’t find an accompanist on such short notice and I’m not as good at trombone anyway)
List everything you do in music but have a separate piano section I would say. For an arts supplement, it doesn’t have to include a lot of recordings. You can ask. When my daughter asked if the school would like her to cue her best 3 minutes, they were grateful. They really only need to hear a couple of minutes, if that. They want to know how much you will contribute on campus and to their mix of talents.