Explore a Winning Arts & Music Admission Essay
In the competitive world of Fine Arts, Music Performance, and Design admissions, your portfolio or audition shows your skill but your Statement of Purpose reveals your mind. Elite conservatories and Ivy League arts programs look for more than "talent"; they seek innovators who understand their place in the cultural landscape.
Explore our featured Arts & Music Essay Sample to see how we help creators transform their artistic journey into a persuasive, professional narrative.
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Before
Boundless potential and infinite possibilities are the true gift of music. Since childhood, music has been the very core of my life as I spent thousands of hours dedicated to studying and practicing Cello. I won several awards growing up, such as Second Place in National Music Competition of the Music Association of R.O.C. and Third Place in the International Austria MUSIKKONSERVATORIUM Graz (IMUK) Music Contest. In 7th grade, I began attending music high school and embarked on a continuous journey of music performance and activities - including performing in the school orchestra, routine school concerts, graduation music concerts and joint concerts with other groups. In 2008, I took Professor ***** Rider’s Cello Lecture at **** Art Academy, which deeply broadened my experiences and perspective towards music.
However, all of my vigorous and orthodox education immersion, which trained me well as a professional cellist, had not yet really eased my craving for being a creative and inventive performer. Then I started listening to the music of Mr. *****. His artistic creativity has led to music not limited to one style but rather crossed between jazz and ethnomusicology, to name a few. For me, his unique art of music has furnished classical music with endless possibilities of invention and exploration. This pioneering musical style helped define my creativity and provided a direction to follow.
Therefore, since attending college, I have been applying technology and multi-media as part of my music performance. I took quite a few commercial music related courses, such as “Digital Music Production” and even “Computer Programming Language” to expand my creative music abilities and learn how to combine classical cello music with modern-day technology. I utilized a kind of music software to compose a pop song as a demo with my classmates. I also worked as a composer for ***** Corporation for its digital games. While working there, I was a bridge in communicating with engineers and other musicians. In addition, I helped supervise a few music concerts, music recording and post production of the music in school. I even once have tried to dub a picture book and stage a dramatic event – just to explore more musical possibilities.
Apart from learning technology application, I took advantage of extracurricular activities with opportunities to develop my leadership skills by planning musical events. When I was a sophomore, I was elected as the deputy chief in an orientation camp in charge of arranging performances and activities. I also founded an ensemble, which I directed while promoting musical events. In my spare time, I worked in a music studio teaching young pupils cello and basic music knowledge. Sometimes, I undertook the responsibility of copy writing for the studio and preparing concerts. Recently, I arranged a music camp for elementary students in which I acted as a group leader and cello teacher. The camp received much praise from parents, and I was very proud of myself and all the attendees.
All of these experiences have helped me understand the skills and techniques for software utilization and post production. It is a grave pity to see classical music fading. My goal is to use the latest technology and the arts of creative performing to direct classical music back into mainstream society. I am passionate about this work, and eagerly hope to develop my own unique performing style with a vivid and versatile translation of classical music. My future goal is to eventually bestow a new interpretation of classical cello music to future generations. With my strong knowledge and desire to expand the boundaries of music production, I hope to follow Mr. ****** path and impart an endless stream of true and innovative music creation. Therefore, my ideal career choice is to become a cello promoter, either producing ground-breaking music in business sectors or teaching new music techniques and styles in schools.
To that end, I know your prestigious program will help further my education. With Prof. *****’s excellence in cello performance, you also have claimed international reputation for commercial music, postproduction and music administration. My ideal plan is to have a minor degree or even dual degrees in cello and commercial music, which I believe will help me broaden both my knowledge of music and my experience with software application. The more insight into classical music that I gain, the more possibilities I will have to diversify my musical performances with technology. I know that with the help of your program, I will succeed.
After
Music has the ability to harness creativity through sound, yet it also has the power to affect other senses -- like making the listener see beauty, or feel exaltation. I can capture this magic through my cello, a simple instrument of four strings tuned in perfect fifths. My childhood was dedicated to the mastery of the cello, which is found naturally in anything from chamber music ensembles to full musical orchestras.
My passion for perfection won me several awards including a Second Place at the National Music Competition of the R.O.C. and Third Place in the International Austria Graz Music Contest. By seventh grade, I had already embarked on a personal journey of musical performances and activities - including school orchestras and concerts. However, I was truly inspired in 2008, when I attended Professor ******’s cello lecture at the ****** Academy, which enhanced my perspective of music.
However, my vision of my cello as an instrument was transformed when I began listening to the music of *****. His work showed me to master this instrument I needed more than to practice perfection -- his artistic creativity expanded my horizons since he used the cello to transition to other musical styles including jazz and ethnomusicology. For me, this expanded my art. Instead of perfection, I now focused on the endless possibilities of invention and exploration. ****’s pioneering musical style helped redefine my creative goals, and gave direction to my musical aspirations.
Since attending college, I have incorporated technology and multi-media into my musical performances. I was even inspired to complete a few commercial-music related courses including “Digital Music Production” and` “Computer Programming Language” to develop strategies for combining classical cello music with modern-day technology. I even utilized some music software to compose a pop song as a demo for my classmates, and worked as a composer for ***** Technology Corporation for soundtracks to digital games. While working there, I discovered the interrelationship between engineers and musicians, and even had opportunities to supervise a few music concerts, music recording sessions and post production. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to dub a picture book and stage a dramatic event – just to explore my musical boundaries.
Although music is an essential part of my life, in college I took advantage of extracurricular activities to develop my leadership skills by planning musical events. When I was a sophomore, I was elected as the deputy chief for an orientation camp responsible for arranging performances and activities. I also founded an ensemble, which I directed while promoting musical events. In my spare time, I also worked in a music studio teaching young cello pupils about basic music knowledge. More recently, I organized a music camp for elementary students, which had impressive attendance and was well praised by parents.
Like many professionals in my field, I lament the decline of interest in classical music. My goal is to change this trend by using the latest technology, and combining music with creative arts to interest mainstream society. I am passionate about this work, and eagerly hope to develop my own unique performing style that features a vivid and contemporary translation of classical music. My ultimate goal is to eventually bestow a new interpretation of classical cello music to future generations. Somewhat similar to ****, I want to be more than a cello virtuoso --- my ideal career goal is to become a cello promoter, either producing ground- breaking music or teaching new music techniques and styles in schools.
The prestigious program at the University of ***** will help me realize this ambition. I am especially excited to work with Professor **** who is known for his international reputation for commercial music, postproduction and music administration. I plan to pursue a minor degree or even dual degrees in cello and commercial music, which I am confident will help me broaden both my knowledge of music and my experience with software applications. Through the ***** program, I will become more than just a cello player – I will be an ambassador for classical music in the modern world.