Hi all,
I'm a distinction graduate of 8th grade and am currently studying for my DipABRSM in the US. I will be applying to universities in about a year, and I'm planning on sending a CD of my piano works as part of my application package. However, I'm having a hard time discerning what "level" the pieces are that I'm planning on playing - essentially, whether or not the pieces are "impressive" enough. I know it sounds a little short-sighted, but I do have to take it into consideration as it will reflect on my applications.

Currently I'm thinking of playing

Liszt's Valse Melancolique
the first movement of Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy
Bach Prelude & Fugue 14.


Are these pieces at the level that my qualifications should put me at? The thing I want to avoid at all costs is having a member of the music dept (they will be the ones evaluating the performace) say "Well, he claims to be at this level, but these pieces are levels below where he claims to be"

Thanks in advance, and I'm perfectly open to suggestions on good pieces... I will probably have to record next summer, so I have about a year to perfect everything.

Thanks again.

I think those pieces would be suitable. How are you going to record them ?

Whilst I see what you mean you are almost certainly better playing a simpler piece you can play well rather than struggling with a monster because you think it will impress: The struggle will show and it won't be impressive. Mind you, with your apparent abilities you may find that this doesn't exclude much.

In essence less difficult played well will always beat more difficult played badly: Difficulty is relative, quality is absolute.

Having said which, I would have thought the thing to do is to consult your teacher or failing that phone the head of the department you will be applying to and ask him or her direct.

Also, a whole year to prepare? Chill out, widen your repertoire, extend your technique and ask again in 6 months!

Will you be applying to universities in the US or UK (or elsewhere)?

For what it's worth, this is what the University of Maryland requires:

ooo.. this topic caught my eye..

I would like to apply for a music college/university too.. local and overseas.. for local, it would be SIngapore, and overseas, i would like to try both US and UK..

Do these schools have age limits?? am i too old for that? im 20 this year..

and also, any suggestions as to which college/universities i can apply for in US and UK? i was thinking maybe RCM in UK.. but i worry that competition is very tough and i will most probably not get it as my standard of playing isnt that high.. i think..

and what are the arrangements like?? do some of the US and UK colleges/universities hold auditions in singapore??

im at a loss as to what to do now.. ive recently graduated in June with a diploma in Biomedical Science locally.. but i really wish to further my music as i feel that it's my forte, rather than Science.. However, im presently SCHOOL-LESS..

what if i audit for many many schools, but my standard of playing is so horrendous that im not accepted anywhere?? is that the end of the road for me?? HELP.

RCM is really hard to get into- but you've got nothing to lose, you should try anyway.

maybe you should post the repertoire you would be using and get advice as to whether it's up to standard? because i know lots of people who think they are rubbish and dont stand a chance that are actually pretty amazing. and dont be too disheartened by the fact they are hard to get into- its not what you play, its how you play it. i know someone who got into a UK conservatoire using LRSM-FRSM standard repertoire, i also know someone who got in with their grade 8 repertoire- so the difficulty of what you play doesnt mean anything really.

and dont worry about age- im turning 21 this year and im auditioning. the only age specification is that you're over 18 by the time you start 1st year.

Ooh its in F#minor. Hope its Book 2 , thats my favourite of all '48'