<p>Hi! I'm applying to Andover and Exeter, and on the Andover application page, it says to send in two tracks of me playing an instrument. ("If you feel that music is a particular strength and you were not able to provide a multimedia link on the Candidate Profile, please submit a CD recording that contains two tracks demonstrating contrasting styles, each track no longer than five minutes")</p>
<p>I play three instruments (Piano - 8 yrs, Violin - 6 yrs, Horn - 2.5 yrs) and I take private lessons on all three of them. I have a few questions from here.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>My main interest is math, not music. Ever since I saw the saying "The thicker the file, the thicker the applicant" on these boards, I've tried to stray away from sending excess material to my portfolio. I'm pretty mediocre at all three of my instruments, so I don't want the Admission Officers to think I'm just padding my application with stuff I'm not truly great at. On the other hand, it would be nice to prove that I actually play these instruments because we discussed about it a lot at both interviews.</p></li>
<li><p>Even if I were to send in the CDs, would it be okay if I send it in a couple of weeks late? The music samples are optional, so I don't know if they must have it by the January 15 deadline.</p></li>
<li><p>Should I send a CD to Exeter also? Exeter's website doesn't explicitly tell me to send in a music CD like Andover's page does, but from searching around CC, I saw that many people sent CDs to Exeter. Would it be an overkill if I send in one?</p></li>
<li><p>Assuming that it's okay to send it in late, should I record myself on all three instruments (resulting in a CD with 6 tracks) or just record myself on one? I'm much more advanced at piano and violin than I am at horn. However, less people play the horn, so the fact that I play it might be a deciding factor in the admissions. </p></li>
<li><p>Okay, okay, I admit that I recorded myself on piano today, but because I was so nervous, there were numerous little mistakes littered throughout the pieces. Should I just keep these recordings or spend another Friday at the recording studio again? What would the music department think if they listen to ten minutes of mediocre playing? Would it hurt my chances or not affect it at all?</p></li>
<li><p>Although there were mistakes in the pieces, the sound quality for the piano recordings were very good. However, if I were to record myself playing violin or horn, I would have a bad microphone and no accompaniment. Should I still record myself on these instruments?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for taking the time to read these last-minute questions! Responses are greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I suggest you contact the Admissions Office at Andover. A quick email should get you good guidance, including when they need it. </p>
<p>My best guess: Doesn’t matter that you are more interested in math—you are a potential participant in their band/orchestra/chamber music and a student who could benefit from, and contribute to, their music program. I suspect that demonstrating piano because you are good, and horn because they are more in need of it, may be the way to go (but Admissions should be able to tell you if they want one or all 3). Go with performances you are proud of, though, not just where the recording is technically good.</p>
<p>I vote for not sending a cd because you say that you are a mediocre player. Unless you are exceptional (the language on the application is “a particular strength”), it’s enough for the school to know what instruments you play and that you have a interest in being part of band/orchestra. I don’t think you have to prove you play the instruments–you can’t possible offer evidence for every piece of your application. The emphasis you’ve already placed on the variety of instruments you play and your multi-year commitment is your strength–you could potentially scuttle that with a cd that contrasts with stronger musicians. Just my opinion though.</p>
<p>Actually, what classicalmama said sounds good to me (though I’d still run it by Admissions). Also, after the app deadline, my daughter was asked to send a recording. (She hadn’t send one initially because while she was a decent player, she didn’t consider it a “particular strength”). So, if they really want it they may ask eventually!</p>
<p>This is very useful! We’re in a similar situation that my D has played both piano and violin for many years. I have a few follow-up questions, if you guys are still around and don’t mind asking.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How good should be the quality of recording? Casual home recording, or recording studio? I was thinking about using a home video camera, which I thought recorded with a decent quality, but I’m a bit worried if most other applicants use professional equipment.</p></li>
<li><p>AV or audio only? amanch mentioned CD but others also use youtube, which I’m guessing typically are in movie formats.</p></li>
<li><p>For violin, is it recommended to have piano accompaniment? Or just violin?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>FYI my D enjoys these instruments and likes to participate in orchestra/ensemble, but doesn’t plan to become a professional. Thanks for your attention and addressing my concerns!</p>
<p>Last year, our son sent the admissions offices and the music department heads links to a video we uploaded to youtube. It was filmed on a good-quality home movie camera (although not an HD recording), which was on a tripod, in a church sanctuary. Video and audio were good, but certainly not “professional” quality. We had recorded him playing a piece, with piano accompaniment, for a masterclass audition, and used the same video for his applications.</p>
<p>Based on our experience, I believe a “non-professional” recording, whether movie or audio only, is perfectly fine - unless you are applying to a performing arts school (like Interlochen).</p>
<p>Don’t send anything late. We used a good quality home video camera as well and kept the formatting simple. You want to appear humble, no matter what your talent. Last year, some kids even used the video component off their cell phone. That works too.</p>
<p>I sent in recordings of violin, piano, and vocal. I believe I recorded 2 violin pieces, 1 piano piece, and 1 vocal with myself on piano accompaniment. I did this in a semi-professional recording studio, because even though I am not exemplary or professional, music is my passion and what I considered to be the “hook” of my application. I sent these recordings on a CD to all the schools I applied to, no matter if they requested a recording or not, along with a notecard explaining what it was and which pieces I played. Hope this helps :)</p>
<p>We also used a good quality home video camera, in our dining room (which has really good acoustics). Violin, unaccompanied. Some schools prefer unaccompanied (because accompaniment can mask flaws), but it’s worth reading the admissions info carefully. I agree with the posters who counsel against sending recordings of mediocre playing.</p>
<p>We used Vimeo for our links (our dc included a visual art portfolio and a very short movie about one of her hobbies). YouTube works, too. We also sent CD’s and included a cover letter with the contents and the URLs of the videos.</p>
<p>Regarding your “AV or audio only” – the norm is now video. Especially for serious musicians. It helps to show that the person playing is actually the same person as the one applying. It also can give a more nuanced reading of a student and his or her abilities than audio alone (a plus for a student who may be talented and/or capable and/or promising and enthusiastic but may not have a huge amount of time/experience on a particular instrument under his or her belt).</p>
<p>I liked the idea of using a home movie camera. While my D is well trained in violin and piano, she is well rounded and has diverse interests including creative writing and visual art. So professional recording might be an overkill. Right now, I’m thinking about using a decent Sony dSLR that I already have (+/- accompanying a handheld digital PCM line recorder, from a friend of mine). For violin, if I can, I would try to arrange with and without piano accompaniment. And send a version with accompaniment when it is not spelled out. And post the video to web, and if requested, send CD by mail. </p>
<p>@rbgg
If we send by late December, would it be too late? I mean, app deadlines are Jan 15… Right now, our schedule is pretty much packed up until the end of the month.</p>
<p>FYI sending to arrive ANYTIME before the deadline is not too late. Adcomms generally state that they don’t begin looking until all apps are in. Whether this is true or not in every case I couldn’t say. But “on time” is as good as “two weeks early”, from what we were given to understand. That said, when we had some schools with Jan 10 or 15 and some schools with Feb 1 we made a point to be “all done” by the earliest deadline… it was just easier for us, especially with apps to several schools.</p>
<p>FYI, I think some schools request supplemental stuff like this earlier than the deadline for the app itself (IIRC Choate may be one)…be sure to check each school’s policy.</p>
<p>I don’t remember Choate requesting early, but I DO remember Choate’s instrumental director saying “send me a link or CD directly” – in addition to whatever was sent to Admissions. Choate was the ONLY school where we encountered such a request.</p>
<p>My recollection was that, unless music, visual art, writing, etc. were a particular passion, that anything sent for a generally well-rounded student would end up in the same admissions folder in the end. That said, we have friends who sent their materials in bit by bit, in the hopes that the steady stream would keep their student “top of mind.” I have no personal knowledge as to whether such a method has any bearing on the applicant’s chances; my inclination is that it does not. </p>
<p>The above stated, I do agree that it’s important to check each school’s policy before making assumptions. Individual schools are generally a better (or at least more reliably accurate) source for such specifics than CC posters ;-)</p>
<p>Music was definitely a “hook” for our DS, and he corresponded directly via email with the music directors at all the schools prior to interviews/visits. He sent links to youtube videos of performances, both prior to his school visit, and as follow-ups when he had new performance videos uploaded. He met one-on-one with the music director at each school during his visits (sometimes scheduled at a set time by admissions, sometimes stopping by during the tour, and several times visits were arranged so he could attend an orchestra/ensemble rehearsal), and continued to email/correspond with them throughout the admissions process.</p>
<p>No December is not too late, the regular app deadline applies, but as some state, make sure you send it to the person in the Music Dept directly, or as specified in the app.</p>