shreeps

I am going to send in a recording as an "art supplement" and I need to know what the maximum length should be. At most I'll be doing a minor in music, but that's not definite, so obviously I don't want something too long; I was thinking about 5-8 minutes.

alexandrafitzmor

The max length should be about 12 minutes; if you're in an orchestra, send in only your dominant solo. Finding the perfect length is difficult: what you're trying to show is your diverse ability in music.

FiddlinEcon

Common App says "10 minutes" but some colleges do not indicate length and sometimes require two contrasting pieces.
I think 5-8 minutes length CD will be OK most of the time but you have to check each college's supplement requirements.

shreeps

alright cool thanks
i'm just playing drums in a bunch of styles with some backing stuff on piano/guitar/bass (simple stuff) that i composed really quickly
i just wanna show my diversity on the set and musically in general

yipyip0901

Do you think it can HURT to send a music supplement?

alexandrafitzmor

No. If the college specifically asks for no music supplement, you should try contacting the music department instead and sending it through there. If you're brilliant enough to impress the HoD/professor, you might recieve some weight in the admissions process. If the music department isn't interested and the admissions office isn't either THEN you don't send it. But if you're given the option, it can't hurt.

violadad

10 minutes is typically the standard. Minor variation in length is ok. A range of 8-12 is a viable window.

Most everything you will ever want or need to know is here, Music Supplement for College Applications? and within the subsequent and side links contained within.