Yo folks, I'm a junior who's super into music. Anyone know of any prestigious music competitions for high school students I can attend to boost my resume? Is there a particular competition more recognized by colleges?
Sure, participating in music competitions can indeed help your college applications stand out, especially if you're considering a music program. Here are a few prestigious ones high schoolers can participate in:
1. The National YoungArts Competition: This program provides a broad range of opportunities for emerging artists in various disciplines, including music. You can participate in one of the ten categories within music, from jazz to classical.
2. The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competitions: These encourage and support exceptionally talented young artists at the state, division, and national levels.
3. Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival: If you're into jazz, this competition, sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center, is a highly recognized one.
4. The National Association for Music Education (NAfME): NAfME offers several All-National Honor ensembles that high school musicians can audition for, including concert band, orchestra, mixed choir, jazz ensemble, and guitar ensemble.
In terms of recognition, all these competitions are viewed positively by colleges. However, remember that being selected does fall in Tier 2 of the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular activities. Depending on the competition, winning could be viewed as a Tier 1 activity, especially in the case of a national or international win. Most importantly, though, pursue competitions that align with your musical interests and passion! Good luck!
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