I’m both a pianist and organist. I recorded a video of myself playing a piano song and of me playing an organ song. It is about 8 minutes in length.
Can I add this to my Common App to send to colleges? I’ve heard that its helpful because I can show schools that I’m a serious musician.
My general understanding is that the only music supplements that might be helpful to an application would be of an extremely high (almost conservatory level) quality. If you want to send a supplement ask each college you apply to: 1) if they accept music supplements and 2) if so in what format should you send it to them. More than likely admission officers will not want to watch an 8 minute video. You need to respect the fact that admissions officers are extraordinarily busy when it comes time to read applications.
Some college’s accept a seems profile which includes a personal video, you could put a clip (not the whole thing) and show off the organ if you do, it’s more unique than piano.
If music is an important part of your application and profile, yes. The admission office would mostly likely have a music/piano professor evaluate your playing.
BTW, in your writing, please use the term “piano piece,” instead of “piano song.” Most piano professors are against the use of word “song” in describing a piano piece.
What schools are applying and what skill level are you at? Art supplement is helpful if you are truly outstanding in it. Some schools would submit your art supplement to professional to review as adcom usually cannot justify your skill. Consider the cost and effort they invested in your application, it better be really good or it may have an adverse effect on your application. Note that no one wants to review additional unnecessary material particular for those schools with overwhelming numbers of applications