Prescreening Requirements for Music Schools (Oberlin, Peabody, USC, etc.)

echosong · July 7

Many conservatories and music schools state that edits aren't allowed for the prescreening recording. Does this indicate that the entire prescreening must be done in one take? As in, the Baroque, Classical, etude, etc. piece must be performed subsequently as one recording?

If that is the case, does that mean that I have to record 12 different screenings for the 12 music schools that I apply to?

*Most universities have slightly different prescreening requirements.

Violinmomaz · July 7

Each school should have a page listing how they want the recordings made and sent. But in our experience each piece can be separate. But each piece cannot be edited. Wishing you the best!

gram22 · July 8

Speaking as a parent of a violinist that was accepted at 2 of those schools (Peabody & USC, did not apply to Oberlin). Each is a separate recording. However, each recording must be unedited. You can make as many takes as you wish, and send your best take for each. However other than titling the recording and changing the base volume, you are not allowed to edit in any way. They want decent sound, from a reasonable home camera (I've heard of iPhone recordings being submitted, but that's hearsay).

Also, the requirements for the prescreen recordings is fairly common, and you can use the same recording to send to every single college you apply to. They usually have limits on how old the recording can be - and as far as you meet those requirements you're golden.

Good Luck.

akapiratequeen · July 8

@gram22 that is not true for jazz — the requirements differed widely and S had to learn 12 different songs. Spreadsheets help 😊

bridgenail · July 8

@echosong If you are wondering how in the world are you going to fulfill the requirements for 12 schools, you are not alone. You are hitting one of the first realities of the process: "the limitation of time". The second will be "the limitation of money". For the next 8 or 9 months, you will continue to bump up against these limitations and you will have to adjust accordingly.
Auditioning at 12 schools is a lot. Note that there is no perfect number. I'm sure some people can do 12 schools (and you could be one of them!). But my unscientific research says that 8 or 9 schools that require pre-screen and auditions are a doable max with 12 being a stretch. Before and after pre-screen results, it's not uncommon to see one or two schools dropped (after pre-screens the school may end up being a video auditions due to audition conflicts).
I believe that my D had a list of around 12 the summer prior that got whittled down throughout the process. So you may want to start prioritizing schools and working on pre-screens accordingly to see how far you get.
And, you cannot edit a piece. You play it through multiple times...and then pick the best one (with the fewest warts). Then you move on to your next piece and pick the best of that. And you hope that you could use one piece for a few schools if lucky. Remember they aren't looking for perfection, just talent and potential.
Good luck!

astute12 · July 11

Each piece must be performed without editing, but you can edit together several pieces. This way you can record the 12 pieces for all the schools you apply to and then edit together each individual take that you like for each school. Hope that makes sense!
As someone else mentioned, just make sure your sound levels are even when you put the prescreen together. Some schools have you submit each piece separately and others have you edit them together. It is a pain, so the earlier you start the better!

astute12 · July 11

And ditto on the spreadsheet idea! It can get crazy keeping track of dates, formats for submissions, pieces to be played, and contact information! Good luck!

Prescreening Requirements for Music Schools (Oberlin, Peabody, USC, etc.)

Replies to: Prescreening Requirements for Music Schools (Oberlin, Peabody, USC, etc.)

Recent Activity