<p>Does playing an instrument outside of the school band look good to admissions?</p>
<p>look good? yes. make you stand out? no. think of it as any other ec-except its a long, personally driven extra curricular activity.</p>
<p>Depends on the level of involvement. For example, I play guitar about once every 2 months and the most complicated piece I can play on it is Beethoven’s Fifth. I don’t really think that would help.</p>
<p>I’ve played the piano since 10, am “competent” as in play Chopin Etudes, Beethoven Sonatas, etc., but I haven’t participated in or won any competitions. I do California MTA piano performance exam and theory test, practice roughly 10-12 hours a week, and have private lessons. This doesn’t say much for my application though, because in order for your musical skills to impress admission officers, you need to win multiple national/international musical competitions, and have recognized renown on your instrument.</p>
<p>I’ve played in the school band for 8 years, 9 by the time I apply to colleges. (1 year of trumpet, 5.5 years of baritone horn, 2.5 years of tuba). The last 3 of those years I participated in the school marching band (Newsday Marching Band Fesitcal, @home school football games, and Memorial Day Parades). I’ve only done NYSSMA up to level 2 and recieved pretty low scores (19 1st year w/ trumpet; 22 2nd year w/ baritone), but it was before high school, so I don’t think I could use it even if I wanted to. Recently I’ve been accepted as 2nd seat in our District Concert Band.</p>
<p>Would I be able to use ANY of this stuff on my application?</p>
<p>depends how good u are, # of awards, years of committment and maybe even what instrument you play</p>
<p>It’s not like it’ll hurt you. It’s just like another EC.</p>
<p>instruments help you if your good if you want to go to a musical school. there are alot of schools out there looking for specific instruments. marching bands = sousaphones because they are hard to find. orchestra, concert bands = bassoons and french horns. it also counts on how good you play these instruments?</p>
<p>It can help if you’re like, uber-good [and I mean like winning awards after awards good] - otherwise, it’s just another EC.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, most of us don’t wind award after award. But at least you can list it as another EC. It wouldn’t hurt to do so. :)</p>