MUSIC RECORDING FOR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS By Adrian Anantawan, Chair of Music Department, Milton Academy The following information is intended as a guide for seniors who have focused on music during their time at Milton Academy. The department strongly encourages any senior to create a recording and a short document outlining past musical achievements at Milton and elsewhere. Creating this recording and resume will showcase your musical abilities and could help to set you apart from other applicants. All colleges differ in what they require for a musical recording. If you intend to major in music, most colleges, universities, or conservatories will require an audition. Please check carefully about each school’s audition procedure. In most cases, auditions will take place in January, February, or early March. These are either done at the college campus or at regional auditions in New York or Boston. The earlier you register, the better, as spaces will fill quickly. If you do not intend to major in music but just wish to showcase past achievements, the recording could be very important. The CD or online recording should be professionally recorded with high quality equipment. Make sure that the equipment you use (microphones, CD, etc.) is the best quality available. Record the performance in the best acoustical surroundings. This may vary according to the instrument or voice, but at Milton, Straus Library, the Chapel, or the Kellner Orchestra and Chorus rooms are good choices. You may want to consult with Mr. Anantawan about this. Remember that a badly recorded CD is worse than no CD at all. Choose your pieces wisely. Play pieces that will show your talent in the best light. Highlight your strengths. Choose a variety of pieces to demonstrate different abilities. Pieces from different historical periods, pieces in differing tempi, dynamics, articulations, etc. are good choices. Do not make the recording too long. Leave them wanting more. If a piece has three movements, you may want to record only one and then add an additional piece contrasting in style. RECORDING With your recording, enclose a resume outlining past musical achievements. List the important things that you have done musically, especially in your high school years. These may be both at Milton and outside of Milton. List any awards, competitions, and/or titles that you may have. List teachers with whom you have studied. List pieces that you have played or sung. Once again, keep your information brief. Highlights of your accomplishments are enough. If you need any help in this process, please feel free to ask any member of the music department for assistance. We are more than ready to help you in this very important part of your life. Sometimes it may be a good idea to include programs or reviews of your work. Follow each college’s specific instructions for submitting recordings . RESUME FORMAT
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