<p>My son wants to apply EDI to Wesleyan U in November. He plays both drums (contemporary) and piano (classical). Should he apply with music samples from both, or should he compose for drums only (his favorite instrument)? At the college fair, he was told by the Wes representative to choose only one. My gut feeling is that if he applies with both, he'll be showing a range of musicality. </p>
<p>Any thoughts, advice??</p>
<p>I think you’re overestimating the impact of the musicality, particularly if the Wes representative was an admissions officer. There’s only so much time each application can receive. If you send too much music, you stand the very real risk that they’ll listen to some of it – which is to say that you stand the risk that they will listen to the stuff that’s not as impressive as the most impressive stuff. The musical ability, short of an audition for a conservatory spot, is something that adds flavor to an application. Frankly, most of that can be gleaned from written statements. I don’t think debate champions send in tapes of their oratory prowess, for example. They simply write down their awards, achievements and proficiency and that seems to work. Definitely send in the material but don’t lean too heavily on it or let it crowd out the really important stuff that the admissions officers are trying to get a reading on in a short amount of time with your son’s file.</p>
<p>That said, multi-instrumentalists can achieve a great deal within the confined space you’ll find yourself in – and this is not just at Wesleyan because most universities and colleges either use the Common Application arts supplement or proprietary forms that vary only slightly from the Common App arts supplement. Why not have him accompany himself on something original that showcases the drums, using classical piano for some added color? You’re looking at this well ahead of the ED1 deadline, so he has the time to prepare for this and come up with ideas. Even if he only plays a few notes on the piano (in a drum recording) or uses a brush on a snare (in a classical recording), he’ll have reinforced the point that appears in writing indicating that he is talented in both instruments. That, alone, will distinguish his supplement from many other recordings and he can put his best foot forward (on his top instrument) while submitting an arts supplement that doesn’t run afoul of the limitations that the admissions offices place on them.</p>
<p>My son has started preparing his piece, and adding the piano is a very good suggestion… He’ll decide for himself, and your thoughtful answer is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>He doesn’t want to do ‘conservatory’ style music education which is why he fell in love with Wesleyan after touring other music programs… I’m glad you think he’s starting early, the whole process is a bit overwhelming…:)</p>
<p>I think parents can provide the kind of meaningful criticism of music that will aid the applicant without abusing the process or leaving too much of their own mark on the application file. With essays, for example, I think parents can tweak them too much and a student might let the parent get away with that…often turning a great expression in the student’s own voice into a piece of garbage with the kind of stilted, stuffy, sanitary language that I use when I post here. Parents can’t really do that with music. Even a parent incredibly gifted in music will, at the very least, meet with opposition from an artistic mind that resists anyone who screws around with their creative expression. Still, a parent can be a good reviewer and a good set of ears, so if he’s trying to meld classical piano and contemporary drumming in a way that makes you cringe in pain, you should share that perspective. Also, there are ways to lay down multiple recording tracks without buying studio time. Some very low budget handheld recording devices can do a terrific job with this and if the device doubles as a graduation or birthday present, it basically costs nothing, right? Your local music store can point you to the best solutions for drum and piano. Best of luck. From what you’re saying he wants in terms of a music environment, Wes is probably the best choice he could look for among LACs.</p>
<p>My son recognized you’re a Led Zeppelin fan, while I failed the test… He thanks you for the great advice (he’s cramming SAT prep at the moment). Mercifully, my husband is an experimental musician and can help him with the recording of his piece.</p>
<p>I totally agree about parents not getting involved in the essay, besides English is not my first language, so if I was ‘helping’ it may lead to much unexpected comedy.</p>
<p>:) That’s funny!</p>
<p>I just offered one person’s opinion, so this need not be the end of the discussion you started. I do recall that S also touched on music in at least one of his essays, in a tangential way, so that also reinforced the musical aspects of who he is, reducing the temptation to send in too much recorded content. Besides the essays, is your son taking AP Music Theory? In that way, his transcript could add to the music theme. As could one or more recommendations from teachers. And, of course, the listing of his extra-curricular activities. Beyond his study of the instruments, maybe he volunteers his talents. Does he tinker with instruments? What non-performance ways does music play a part in shaping who he is? If music keeps popping up through the application, that will resonate more forcefully than doubling up on recorded material – in my opinion.</p>
<p>If others here have ideas about how to approach the music supplement, particularly involving two instruments – and in two very different musical styles at that – I’m sure **kalina77<a href=“or%20her%20S”>/B</a> will profit from those additional perspectives. You might also want to float this question on the College Admissions forum because this is pertinent everywhere, not just for Wesleyan, even though it’s wise to get the scoop on Wesleyan since your S intends to apply ED1. If that doesn’t work, however, it will then be very late in the game to solicit thoughts on this from other colleges.</p>
<p>His school doesn’t offer AP music. As a matter of fact he goes to a public HS so the money for the drum club was cut last year. My son then volunteered to teach drums & piano with my husband and they ‘saved’ the club from extinction. Ah, the joys of public school! </p>
<p>The majority of his activities revolve around music, and he also participates in the school newspaper, volunteer activities like planting trees & cleaning up, helping poor families get clothes & toys, all on regular base since 9th grade…</p>
<p>Should we be looking at an outside place for music theory? My S. has studied piano for 10 years at a reputable music school, he can study music theory there but it’s not an AP class. He has studied drums for 3 years at another school…</p>
<p>Contemporary/world drumming is the direction he wants to take. He’s very influenced by “Dream Theater”, “King Crimson”, “Rush” & Robert Johnson… Music is his biggest passion, and he wants to explore that and creative writing in college. </p>
<p>I would love to hear from more people, so I’ll pose the question on the general admissions forum. I already asked a Wesleyan student on another thread. No response yet, I know they’re in finals, so I hope to hear soon…</p>
<p>I can’t tell you how helpful this dialogue is…</p>
<p>He can self-study for the AP Music Theory exam.</p>
<p>Textbook + workbook and CD for workbook: Tonal Harmony by Kostka
<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Tonal-Harmony-Stefan-Kostka/dp/0073401358[/url]”>http://www.amazon.com/Tonal-Harmony-Stefan-Kostka/dp/0073401358</a></p>
<p>You’ll also see in the “Customers Also Bought” section this book:</p>
<p>Music for Sight Singing by Ottman</p>
<p>The AP exam has a singing component. It is graded separately, so even if a student bombs that part, the written theory exam score is broken out from that. But the full exam includes the sight singing element, so it’s worth preparing for. If he starts this summer, he can proceed at an easy pace for someone with his experience and probably nail down a 4 or 5. It’s a tough exam but if he’s bright and is musically-inclined, it’s feasible.</p>
<p>The real upside to this exam is not to show admissions officers that he’s committed to music. I think that will come out in his application. Saving the drumming club from extinction? That’s good stuff! The benefit will come in terms of placement. Being able to skip a semester or year ahead in theory means prerequisites will be met or, if a music class is difficult to register for (usually due to size), he can register for it in, say, the fall, while the rest of the herd is satisfying the music theory prerequisite and will compete for spaces for the high-demand course in the spring. Getting a 4 or 5 can really open up things in terms of music opportunities at college.</p>
<p>If possible, he should try to get a mentor at the school for the AP self-study – someone who can ensure he’s on track for the exam and, perhaps most importantly, ensure that the school administers the exam next spring. Obviously the score won’t come in until long after the admissions game has played out, but – for admissions purposes – the self-study improves the academic rigor for S during his senior year, plus an in-school mentor could possibly write something that speaks to S’s progress in his independent study (provided S checks in and maintains communication with the mentor about progress).</p>
<p>How can I even begin to thank you?? We were looking at the Berklee School Of Music theory book, and were thinking he should start this summer. Berkelee also offers an online music theory course. Not sure if it will count as AP course, but it’s graded, so we thought it may count as IS.</p>
<p>The book you’re suggesting sounds like exactly what he needs for an AP course. Getting his school involved to administer the test is going to be the hardest part, those poor teachers & administrators are so over worked, but nothing is impossible… It’s a lovely school and he likes his teachers, so he’ll figure it out.</p>
<p>He’s taking another college level class over the summer, THE GREAT DEBATERS. He chose it because that topic is not taught at his school, and he wanted to learn something different. It can’t all be for the application :)</p>
<p>Thank you, thank you for your thoughtful suggestions. Now my son has to process all this information and make his decisions. He’s got his work cut out for the summer between college classes & volunteer work… </p>
<p>I’m glad I’m not a teenager today, all I cared for in the summer was how long to stay on the Black Sea beaches…</p>
<p>I’ve enjoyed reading this thread and now will add my own two cents and experience. My son graduated from Wes in May, a double major in philosophy and music (classical piano) and is now in graduate school in piano. </p>
<p>My advice is - when in doubt, send them both! Definitely send in the drum samples if drumming is his favorite. Wes has such a wonderful drum culture: at graduation the students marched to a drum ensemble - no pomp & circumstances at Wesleyan!</p>
<p>Assuming he is an advanced piano student who can easily make a strong recording, I’d say go for it. I don’t know if they actually listen to tapes at Wes, and D’yer may be right - that what’s written on the application in terms of experience may be more important to them than actually listening. But they may very well listen. </p>
<p>My son had a nice musical resume, but we think his recording may have tipped the scales in his direction at admissions time at Wesleyan. (We heard from other schools that had a very strong reaction to the recording.) His admissions decisions were all over the place, and Wesleyan was a reach - so we can’t help but think that Wesleyan in particular appreciated his music.</p>
<p>Recordings, if they are listened to at all, get sent to the Music Departments and divided among the appropriate faculty. So if you do send two recordings, they’re likely to go to two different people.</p>
<p>We agonized over sending an extra letter of recommendation from our son’s piano teacher. Finally we decided - what the heck - they’re not going to reject him for some extra paperwork, and it might help. Clearly the extra letter didn’t hurt.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t sweat the music theory course. If your son has had a decent piano teacher, he will be ahead of every flutist, clarinetist, singer, etc. in music theory already. If he’s interested, and determined to place out of first-year theory in college, then sure, but he certainly doesn’t need any more pressure.</p>
<p>Your son sounds like a very interesting kid! All best of luck as you make your way through this daunting process.</p>
<p>Dear Skie:</p>
<p>Thank you for the fantastic input and congratulations to your son for graduating from Wesleyan and continuing with his piano studies. </p>
<p>My son read the thread with great interest, and decided that he’s going to study over the summer a music theory book from Berklee School of Music (it’s where his favorite “Dream Theater” musicians went). </p>
<p>He has already started composing his drum piece, and he wants to record his piano piece by the Spanish composer Grenados separately.</p>
<p>I’m also very heartened to hear that Wes. was a reach school; ditto for my son. I have another question if you feel like giving more input. I’d like to run by you the list of schools we’re considering and see if we may be missing an interesting alternative.</p>
<p>The other schools my son likes are Vassar, Bard, Connecticut College, Skidmore, Davidson. He said no to the conservatory style schools like Ithaca or Oberlin, and really doesn’t want to go to Sarah Lawrence which has an amazing writing program, but so-so music department for his interests.</p>
<p>Did you ever consider McGill? It was brought up to us by a musician friends… If you have any other suggestions, I’d love to hear them.</p>
<p>My S submitted three demo tapes to all colleges: piano on one, violin and viola on another and composition on a third. He even sent scores. He had very good admissions results, including a yes from Wes. He ultimately decided to attend a different school, but it was clear that his"overkill" didn’t hurt him.</p>
<p>I have heard Skie’s son play, and he is incredibly talented and musical.</p>
<p>Mythmom:</p>
<p>Thank you for this. I’m thrilled you’re confirming my ‘gut’ feeling…</p>
<p>Thanks, Mythmom (((hugs)))!</p>
<p>Kalina, your list of schools looks good! My son applied to and loved Vassar and Bard, both of which are similar to Wesleyan in many ways, including strong music. He did apply to Oberlin College and also to Brandeis and UNC-Chapel Hill (where they just hired a fabulous new percussion teacher). </p>
<p>I don’t know much about music at Conn, Skidmore or Davidson, which aren’t particularly well known for music the way the others are. McGill is a great school with a very fine music program. A little too far away and too big for what we were looking for.</p>
<p>Great to know about UNC - Chapel Hill percussion teacher. We’ll look into it. </p>
<p>I had Brandeis on my first list, and somehow it ‘bit the dust’ - it will be good to re-visit.</p>
<p>I’m so grateful for the time you’re taking. Just to give you a little perspective, I grew up in a staunch communist country and had one choice of college/university. Navigating this process has been both exhilarating (freedom of choices) and daunting (too much freedom of choices)…</p>
<p>" Navigating this process has been both exhilarating (freedom of choices) and daunting (too much freedom of choices)… "</p>
<p>I hear you! Back in the day most of us American parents went to college, we applied to one reach, one match, one safety, and that was it. MUCH simpler.</p>
<p>I can’t argue with the firsthand successes that Skie and mythmom attest to in terms of multiple music submissions. It sounds like the plan should be to first decide what puts his best foot forward and not fret over the minutiae. If it’s good material, it’s good material and isn’t just filler. I’d still consider tracks where he accompanies himself as a way to make the submissions distinctive. Here again, I think, the “best foot forward” first rule comes into play and I wouldn’t do that if you’re sacrificing quality just to be nifty. And finally, I agree that the AP course isn’t something to sweat. It’s just an option and, given his piano experience, it shouldn’t be too hard. The payout comes during course registration, with a common prerequisite out of the way leaving the path open to hit the ground running, and it’s not so much with respect to admissions. Good luck!</p>
<p>I hate to disagree with you, D’yer, but I’d suggest that Kalina’s son make two separate recordings, one for drums and one for piano. Contemporary drums and classical piano are not a natural pairing, and one that I think would diminish the effect each one might have by itself. I can’t speak for the drum world, but for piano, a more standard piece from the classical repertoire, without drums, would be best.</p>
<p>A P.S. on my post about McGill. McGill has a School of Music, which is much more like a conservatory than the other schools in the picture (Wesleyan, Vassar, Conn, Skidmore, Davidson), all of which have Departments of Music.</p>
<p>Skie:
My son agrees with you, he feels more comfortable submitting two different recordings. He is however combining different percussion tracks to create one composition. He also likes the idea of submitting his written score for that piece and studying music theory on his own. In other words - he embraced ideas from all three of you!</p>
<p>McGill - you’re confirming what I researched, and it’s not what he’s looking for. We’re now researching UNC & Brandeis. I’m starting to feel really good about his list…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I feel like a stakeholder now…provided that my stake doesn’t extend to the tuition bill.</p>