Musical Kid

[Anonymous]

My DD applies a few years ago with some music talent. She was principal in all-state, a few state wide competitions winner and merit winner of YoungArts. She also have good but not exceptional academic records for top schools - 4.0/4.7 and 1550+ SAT. She got into a T10 in RD. After she enrolled, she had a chance to review her application materials. She found out that she was admitted in January with comments of art admission, but most of her friends got admitted in March. We believe that her instrument was short-handed in the Univ. orchestra symphony that year.
So, musical talent does help. Just need to try more schools and hopefully one of them sees institutional needs for such talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP again. The summer festivals also have had a fair amount of madterclasses, but I have no idea who is “famous enough”

Honestly, I have no idea what stellar grades are anymore. I did the same amount of AP’s she did, had the same GPA (4.0 unweighted) and no real talents - and I got into 4 Ivy’s. As much as I had heard things were different today, yeah, it’s another universe!

"Famous enough" meaning well known teachers from well known conservatory programs. DD didn't get to attend those types of festivals (costs range from $5k-7k for a 6-week residential program). We only hear from friends who have kids who are taking all of these necessary steps, hoping to get into ivy's with these experiences. DD has other interests in addition to being a great young musician. I guess that is the price she pays at this stage with regards to the T10 admission based on art supplement. She is excited to see what RD will bring.

I am with you OP on the not knowing what is considered stellar grades either. I only applied to 4 schools, 3 ivys, one state school 30 years ago. These days it is such a crapshoot.

Good luck to your student. The art supplements are a PITA, but worthwhile to submit. Make sure your student has a resume and rep list ready before the cycle begins. The rep list takes time to compile so don't wait until the last minute.

[Anonymous]

OP, look at the private orchestra's to enroll her in - not sure if they have space now, but MCYO, PVYO, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, look at the private orchestra's to enroll her in - not sure if they have space now, but MCYO, PVYO, etc.

We’ve actually left DC for another metro area, but she’s in the local equivalent. I don’t want to be too specific, at some point she’d be identifiable, but either Julliard or Tanglewood (I can’t remember which) has a drop down list with like the top 100 youth orchestras in the US in their summer application materials. MCYO is in it. I don’t think PVYO is. But she’s in two of them.

She started her instrument pretty young, so she’s had really good mentoring as far as building her resume. And really good financial aid! (Yes, some of these summer festivals are off the chain expensive). She’s also maintained a rep list for a few years now. Sounds like she’s gotton good advice!

This whole thought process, for me, came about as we just had the sit down with her advisor to map out courses for the next two years. The big decision was whether to drop language senior year to do AP theory. She decided yes, as it fit her “narrative” of serious musician. So I was curious just how helpful this narrative actually is!

[Anonymous]

My child sounds similar. Very musically talented with considerable time spent in musical orchestras, etc but not interested in pursuing a Bachelor degree in music because doesn’t want to teach. Would a kid like this still submit a supplemental arts package if not pursing music?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, look at the private orchestra's to enroll her in - not sure if they have space now, but MCYO, PVYO, etc.

We’ve actually left DC for another metro area, but she’s in the local equivalent. I don’t want to be too specific, at some point she’d be identifiable, but either Julliard or Tanglewood (I can’t remember which) has a drop down list with like the top 100 youth orchestras in the US in their summer application materials. MCYO is in it. I don’t think PVYO is. But she’s in two of them.

She started her instrument pretty young, so she’s had really good mentoring as far as building her resume. And really good financial aid! (Yes, some of these summer festivals are off the chain expensive). She’s also maintained a rep list for a few years now. Sounds like she’s gotton good advice!

This whole thought process, for me, came about as we just had the sit down with her advisor to map out courses for the next two years. The big decision was whether to drop language senior year to do AP theory. She decided yes, as it fit her “narrative” of serious musician. So I was curious just how helpful this narrative actually is!

That sounds perfectly fine to me. Some will say language is crucial, but my kid just got into T10 w/o a 4th year of language or of social studies. There were schedule conflicts because she is in a magnet program, but her classes supported her narrative. She also submitted a music supp (& visual arts too). Older sibling (currently at T10) canvassed friends and found that several did not do a 4th year of lang, but they all had compelling narratives and many has arts supplements.

Sounds like you are well prepared for whatever your DD decides to pursue. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of places on the app. A music kid who doesn’t plan on majoring in music will have more opportunities to showcase their talent than an athlete who doesn’t plan to play NCAA.

My musician will have music on his transcript since he’s taken classes at school.

He will have a test score for AP Music Theory.

He will have private lessons and ensembles and theater productions under extracurriculars.

He will have honors like all state or competitions in the awards section.

He will have the performances he does at the nursing home, and the music therapy program he assists with and the canting he does at church as service.

He will have his job as a camp counselor at music camp under employment.

And be will be able to submit videos in an art supplement.

Somewhat off topic but would you mind saying what music camp he's a counselor at? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child sounds similar. Very musically talented with considerable time spent in musical orchestras, etc but not interested in pursuing a Bachelor degree in music because doesn’t want to teach. Would a kid like this still submit a supplemental arts package if not pursing music?

Yes, of course. It’s part of who they are. Kids from DD’s studio have gone to T-20 schools for completely unrelated subjects, but have all submitted their art as supplemental materials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child sounds similar. Very musically talented with considerable time spent in musical orchestras, etc but not interested in pursuing a Bachelor degree in music because doesn’t want to teach. Would a kid like this still submit a supplemental arts package if not pursing music?

Yes, of course. It’s part of who they are. Kids from DD’s studio have gone to T-20 schools for completely unrelated subjects, but have all submitted their art as supplemental materials.

Thanks, I had no idea. Is that a video recording?