<p>I have a quick question, I am not applying to any schools for their music programs but I have been playing the clarinet / bass clarinet for 9 years now and I'm pretty decent. I've been working on one piece especially hard and I am pretty good at it, would it help at all to send this tape in ? And if I did so would they make me play again when I go to college or only if I wanted to major in music? </p>
<p>Thanks so much.
-Slugger</p>
<p>Definitely send your music tape in. However, it would be meaningful to the admissions people if music is a passion of yours, i.e. you have played in orchestras, etc. and it really is an important part of your life. My daughter is a singer and it was a major part of her life, so she sent a CD in to her college although she is not a music major. She followed it up with some major recommendations from esteemed choir directors. Well, she got into her dream school and is now singing in two of their choirs, so obviously it didn't hurt.</p>
<p>Adcoms will take you at your word that you're a dedicated musician. But seeing that you aren't auditioning for the music dept or a music scholarship, they won't listen to your cassette (you should actually record on a CD) -- since they aren't musicians generally and couldn't evaluate you in any meaningful way.</p>
<p>Anyone would ASSUME that you have a good level of skill and proficiency at your instrument w/9 yrs of dedicated play. That's what you want to portray and it will be believed. Save the postage and the extra work for their janitorial staff emptying the trash cans.</p>
<p>Good luck w/your applications</p>
<p>^ Have to disagree with T26E4. It is called an arts supplement and you should send one to every school you are interested in. Our S sent arts supplements in with his applications, including schools where he had no intention of majoring in music, and he was accepted to all. He did receive a couple of scholarship offers but in the end went to W & M with no intention of majoring in music. </p>
<p>As the band director from U. Va. said "An arts supplement can never hurt you, but it can definately help you".</p>
<p>I agree that it can't hurt you (unless you're terrible, I assume (think American Idol. LOL)).</p>
<p>However, here's info I lifted from Yale's admission site:</p>
<p>Question: I am not an artist or musician, and I have not engaged in any original research. Am I at a disadvantage for not submitting supplementary material? Should I submit something else?</p>
<p>Answer: Please do not feel any pressure to submit supplementary material. For the vast majority of our applicants, we evaluate the quality of extracurricular activities and talents through self-reported activity descriptions, essays, and comments made by recommenders. For a very small number of exceptionally talented artists, musicians, and researchers, we may find it useful to refer tapes/CDs, slides, and/or abstracts to the appropriate Yale academic department for evaluation. Unfortunately, we are unable to evaluate DVDs or video tapes, so please do not send them.</p>
<p>As you can see, they don't have a normal process to listen to CD/tapes except for the very outstanding ones -- ones that if liked by the academic dept, can be a positive boost for one's admission chances. For the "typical" dedicated HS musician, I still stand my by original advice that the CD/tape supplement won't be listened to.</p>
<p>I also have to disagree with T26E4. What he quoted may specifically apply to Yale (who arguably can field one of the top collegiate orchestras in the country without even offering an undergrad performance degree), but does not apply to many colleges and universities.</p>
<p>A high quality music supplement may result in a small scholarship at some schools with music programs. Many lacs and universities field orchestras and open the ensembles to the student body as a whole, or even to the local community. While this is not the case at conservatory level programs, it is worth sending a tape (yes, a cd is preferable) unless specifically directed not to do so. When in doubt, ask the school. </p>
<p>As another poster said, depending on where you apply, it will not hurt you, and may well help you.</p>
<p>Strongly disagree with T26E4. Not only did a music supplement clearly help my non-music major kid with admissions, but we know a number of other students in a similar position. Sending a high quality tape not only to admissions but to the orchestra director may be a good thing (ask your GC in terms of specific colleges) and it can also be helpful to go and audition in person if you are able to do so. If you contact the music departments of the universities that interest you, they will be able to give you the relevant info. (Except, of course, at Yale, where -- for reasons that are hard to figure, given the extremely high quality of their music program -- both admissions and the music dept. will be utterly indifferent.)</p>
<p>completely disagree with T26E4,</p>
<p>4 years ago, one of the schools i applied to was franklin and marshall. I sent in a tape, and I sent in a score of a song i had transcribed for my high schools pep band. I made it pretty clear i wasn't majoring in music. I was surprised then, to receive a music scholarship from F&M--it was either $1500 or $2000/yr (can't remember) and all I had to do was participate in a musical ensemble.</p>
<p>Definately send in that stuff.</p>
<p>Thnx folks. I guess my strong statement needs some amending. I was clearly speaking from my experiences only -- thanx for enlightening me. To the OP, send in the CD! LOL</p>