Hello all! The undergrad class of ‘28 really helped us navigate the audition process. I relied on previous threads and members to help guide our journey, lend a sympathetic ear, offer advice and celebrate the wins. I’ve loved hearing everyone’s stories and look forward to new ones unfolding soon! We are here to help!
Can anyone recommend a good explanation of how to put together a music resume for a composition student?
My D has been studying composition & music technology (recording tech, sound design, film scoring, etc) in a pre-college conservatory program throughout high school. (Plus cello, orchestra, etc.) She is not planning to do a music BM or BA, but does want to continue studying composition in college (maybe as a music minor or some kind of combined major), and is planning to submit a music supplement for several colleges. Some colleges mention including a music resume, but she isn’t sure how to put one together. Where should she go for tips on this – does anyone have a link to a helpful web page or something? Thanks!
This is a great question. My daughter is a performance major so I can’t speak to what a music résumé would look like for composition. Let me defer to the experts… @compmom? Any advice?
2 Likes
@tamagotchi It depends on the details of what your kid has been doing. Any live performances? Does she mainly work on a DAWS? Films scored? Detailing what she has been doing each year in the pre-college conservatory would seem to be the priority. I would add that a recording/video and 1-2 letters of recommendation are also important. There is no set template. I am PM’ing you to “talk” further.
2 Likes
Y’all may have already heard, but the Eastern Music Festival has dissolved because the Board and faculty couldn’t work things out. It’s very sad.
3 Likes
Just wanted to post a big THANK YOU to @compmom for being so encouraging and helpful with my questions about D’s music resume! 
4 Likes
Grad school app time!! But this time, of course, my involvement is only as a sounding board and supporter. S26 is looking at all the usual suspects for vocal performance, so we shall see what happens! He has loved his time at Oberlin and I already miss it!
4 Likes
I can’t believe it’s grad school time already! That is currently DD’s plan which, of course, is subject to change. I’ll be interested to see what that process looks like when it comes around. I feel like undergrad was such a rollercoaster with all the feels!
Edited to add: She’s only a sophomore, so it’s not in the immediate future!
1 Like
Classical brass mom here, joining for moral support during the next few months. 
This is our first rodeo, and things are kicking off. Our son has a couple trial lessons this weekend and is recovering from a respiratory illness (ugh, the timing – but maybe that means he can stay healthy for audition season). I hope he will start recording soon, and I’ve encouraged him to build in more time than he thinks he needs. This process is already way more involved than college apps for his non-music friends. They have so much to juggle!
4 Likes
Welcome! Yes, the road to college is very different for musicians! It is definitely a process. The hardest part is waiting for one result after another. This community is a great resource as questions come up and I always enjoyed reading past threads to learn about everyone’s experiences.
Checking in!!! My son is planning on Jazz Performance or Composition (depends on the school of course). This is his list and where we are currently at in the process:
FSU - submitted EA, audition scheduled for 11/9
FIU - submitted EA, awaiting prescreen results
UNT - submitted, already admitted to the school, awaiting prescreen results
Michigan state - submitted EA, audition scheduled for 1/30
Berklee - submitted EA, audition scheduled for 11/22
UNF - submitted, audition scheduled for 3/28 (all of their earlier dates conflicted with other schools higher on his list)
UM - submitted EA, awaiting portal access
Temple - submitted for regular decision (cant do the EA audition date) awaiting portal access
Oberlin - submitted, awaiting portal access
MSM - still working on app
Juilliard - still working on app
Peabody - still working on app
USC (Thornton) - still working on app
Northwestern - still working on app
October is flying by as expected and I just know November will be even crazier. Part of me wishes it was 12/4 so this part of the process could be totally done and we can be in the wait-n-see mode on where he will get invited to audition ar
5 Likes
Wow! Impressive number of schools with apps and prescreens already submitted. It is so much work and with so much organizational talent required.
Good luck in the upcoming months!
1 Like
What a great list! Good luck! This section of waiting is the worst. 
For the schools where you’ve already heard back about prescreen results when were EA applications due? My son sent in his prescreen for Northwestern last week and I’m to gauge when we might hear something. It looks like ED auditions are 11/10 and 11/17 so I’m hopeful it will be a quick turnaround.
We haven’t heard back on prescreen results from any schools yet. We had a handful of schools that don’t require them.
1 Like
Update…..Just heard back from FIU, their EA deadline isn’t until 11/3 but he got past their prescreen and will be going in person on 11/15 for their audition.
7 Likes
Hi! What instrument or discipline?
Voice - Tenor
Cool!
Does anyone have a recommendation for an external mic for iPhone, for recording prescreening videos? Or another recording setup to recommend, for that matter?
My son is a brass player and was using a Zoom iQ7 (mid-side stereo microphone) that plugs directly into his iPhone, and it seems to be buggy today with some crackling noises on the recording. We liked that it has a “gain” adjustment so he could make sure his sound wasn’t blown out or “clipped” on louder notes.
What gear are others using for prescreening video recording?