Music and ivy leagues/stanford?

CCSurfer
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:13:58 +0000

If you possibly can, set up live auditions at the schools. This generally does not happen through admissions; get in touch with the person who heads the part of the music dept that interests you directly – orchestra conductor, head of the most advanced choral group, the string instructor you’d like to have as your teacher while at college – and make an appointment. At Stanford, there is an arts supplement which is due before the application. They also have a formal procedure for live, on-campus auditions. These would appear to be a big advantage, not only because you can audition for and make a connection with a professor there, but because you may get the equivalent of an interview with the professor who will comment on you to the admissions office. (Stanford does not interview other applicants.) If you are Juilliard calibre, you might want to think about Harvard’s joint program with the New England Conservatory, or some sort of Columbia/Juilliard situation. Finally, even though Yale may be Valhalla for graduate musicians, undergrads in some instruments have traditionally had complaints about getting to first tier teachers (in some areas, they end up assigned to grad students) and you may not be able to arrange an audition there. Try to talk with someone who plays your instrument at your level who attends Yale to scope out the situation.