What constitutes "conservatory-level" musicianship?

Applying to College
1

<p>I’ve been browsing CC for information on sending music supplements, and the general vibe I’ve received is that it’s only worth sending a music supplement if you’re a conservatory-level musician. However, I never found an explanation of exactly what this entails, hence this thread : D
Thanks.</p>

<p>P.S. I play the piano and cello, if that makes any difference.</p>

2

<p>Have you ever worked with a professional musician or attended a prestigious music camp like Interlochen or Tanglewood? Are you in All-State? There are general ways of assessing where you stand in terms of musical prowess. </p>

<p>Will you continue to play in college? Know that colleges generally advise against supplements simply because they don’t have enough time to look through a bunch of half-hearted creative writing portfolios, etc. Things like music adcoms will forward to the appropriate department, and if you don’t plan on continuing to play in college or aren’t good enough to impress people who teach music for a living, it probably isn’t worth it.</p>

3

<p>Simply put, it is possessing the talent and abilities to be competitive in an audition based admissions process within a program designed to refine the skills for performing music on a professional level</p>

<p>Conservatory level ability typically entails years of concentrated instruction under professional tutelage. There are few, if any technical skill aspects lacking. It is beyond proficiency, but becoming full mastery of the instrument. The music is not just being played, it is being interpreted, and understood. </p>

<p>It is difficult for a student or parent to assess musical ability within a broader pool of talent unless there has been exposure to competition, participation in highly competitive audition based immersion programs, or exposure to and interaction with musicians of a high level. </p>

<p>The best judges of conservatory level talent are active or retired professional musicians, and teachers/instructors with a history of sending students to conservatory, conservatory level programs.</p>

<p>You may find some insights here
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/458455-how-determine-your-childs-ability.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/738525-how-strong-music-ec.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;