Sending tapes for more than one instrument?

College Majors Music Major
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<p>I'm not going to apply as a music major, but I'm definitely sending recordings so that admissions officers have tangible proof of my "passion". The trouble is, I play (proficiently) 3 instruments, and I'm not sure which recordings of which instruments to send.</p>

<p>The problem is, 2 of those instruments aren't going to help me immensely (piano/violin), and it'll only serve to make me look like even more of a stereotypical Asian. I'm the best at piano & have won the most awards in it--but then again, so has everyone else. The last instrument is considerably rarer, and I think it's the one that will make me stand out from other applicants with music as their major extracurricular, but I'm not sure aobut the implications of tacking on a 3rd recording. Will the admissions people see this is as excessive and become bored with my application?</p>

<p>I'm not sure what to do! Help, please!</p>

2

<p>Another thing: the only way admins are going to know that I'm actually competitive, musically speaking, is if I send in tapes, because I haven't entered a competition in a full year. I'm just kind of afraid that they'll see my ECs as bluffs when I acutally work pretty hard for these.</p>

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<p>This is only my opinion - I have no factual knowledge. But I think you should send all three. I think it shows passion. They don't have to listen if it's too much, but I bet they will. Can you put all three on one recording (tape or CD)? </p>

<p>Don't discount your piano. My oldest didn't submit a recording, but did include on his resume his years of piano, and the fact that he earned an OP at his last competition -- and at the admitted students reception in our area, the admissions rep told just a sentence or two about each kid. About mine, she mentioned his Latin GHP, and his piano.</p>

<p>I just read yesterday on a college site where they said they consider "8 years of piano lessons" more highly than a salad of other activities, because it shows commitment.</p>

<p>Many admissions departments send music recordings over to the music department. If the music dept likes what they hear, and especially if they "need" students with that instrument, they can sway an admit decision. I hate for you to leave any of your instruments off, in case that is the ONE they need. It is also important if you plan to continue any or all of these instruments in college.</p>

<p>In terms of the Asian stereotype; yes, there is a stereotype with certain instruments, but I personally don't think it's a BAD stereotype. When I hear it, I hear undercurrents about the amount of dedication and effort associated with these students.</p>

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<p>zoidberg, I don't know what colleges are you looking for, but if you are thinking about Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc... I'm sorry to say unless your piano playing (I'll think the same for violin, though I don't really know about it) is at a VERY HIGH level and have a REALLY GOOD recording, your tape will do almost nothing for you. </p>

<p>I'm speaking from my limited experience... I am also an Asian, have very competitive scores, competitive GPA/course load, and blah blah blah... And one of my two main passions is piano. I took private lessons for more than 11 years, won quite some competitions, and had even wrote an essay about my passion. Now that I'm accepted by great conservatories for piano performance I can at least be sure of my ability, but as I'm rejected from Harvard and Yale, I assume that my tapes help me very little, if anything, to make me stand out... </p>

<p>I may be wrong, but if your time is divided among 3 instruments, you might not be extraordinarily good at any particular one, and mere proficiency will not help much. </p>

<p>But there's nothing wrong with sending tape for all of your instruments, especially when you are not sure about how much they will help you. It certainly won't hurt your chance, but make sure that you don't expect your music extracurriculars to make you stand out or help you in any significant ways. (it's a sad truth, but I'm sure all those top-tier schools are swamped by decent musician applicants and their recordings.) </p>

<p>If you are looking for less competitive schools, it is different. I have no direct experience, but as far as I know, the less competitve schools pay less attention to the music tapes (the ivies & other ultra-competitive schools usually send the tapes for faculty evaluation, but the less competitive schools do not guarentee any evaluation and frequently have the admission officers listen to them). Send something unusual (your 3rd instrument), or very flashy etudes, etc. (for piano or violin) will definitely impress the admission officers. :)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Well, I'm looking at top 20 schools. Brown, NU, Rice, stuff like that. </p>

<p>thz: I wouldn't say my piano-playing skills are VERY HIGH, but enough to qualify to (but not win) national competitions--at one point i was considering applying to a conservatory, but ever since junior year, I've given up on that dream. </p>

<p>So the fact that I play 3 instruments (actually it's more than 3, but those are the main ones) won't help me with admissions? I'm aware that loads of people are good at piano or violin or flute, but I was hoping that the combination of being good at piano, violin & bass would give me a boost. Music is my only extracurricular, you see.</p>

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<p>Do give a try and send a tape, you might get lucky. But if music is your only extracurricular, consider writing a very, very passionate essay about your music experience in addition to sending a tape. </p>

<p>Unless your tape is at professional level or so highly unusual that impresses the faculty who listens to it so much that he/she is willing to fight for your admission (highly unprobable, you see :)), you most likely will get only a simple rating of your tape in your file. And I doubt that even a top rating will sway the decision. (Of course, if they happen to need a bass player so badly and you're the only one applied... ) </p>

<p>However, if you write an extraordinarily good essay that effectively conveys your passion in music, it WILL sway the decision on your case much, much more than a rating will do.</p>

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<p>zoidberg, I DO think it is worth it. Our experience is different from thzxcyl's. He is right in that there are no guarantees, but you can't predict what schools are going to need. You don't know who's graduating, for instance. If the music department has an urgent need for accompanists, for example, and think you could help, that's a plus. </p>

<p>I know several folks where the music submissions helped. My D is a violinist (a HS junior) and we already know of a couple schools begging her to apply (as a non-major) because they need violins. </p>

<p>That would be less likely for conservatory schools, like Rice, who get a lot of high level applicants. On the other hand, you don't want to major, and your tape might get an enthusiastic reading as a non-major.</p>

<p>It will not hurt, and I believe it will help. Maybe not everywhere, but it costs so little to make a couple extra copies, it will be worth it, I think.</p>