Grad School Application Portfolio Dilemma

[kenjari]

My compositional output of the last six years includes several solid, impressive works, so I have plenty of pieces to choose from. The question is whether to go primarily for the older pieces that can be accompanied with solid recordings, or to favor the newer works that, because of their newness, have not yet been performed or recorded. And no, computer generated realizations will not be acceptable for the applications. Thoughts?

Comments

[epilimnion.livejournal.com]

I say go for a mix of old and new, but weight it toward the new. Iclude pieces for which you have the best recordings, and make sure your selections show variety of instrumentation, form, mood, etc.

[wildpaletz.livejournal.com]

I agree--pick the strongest works and especially do new ones for the places you've applied before. Not that I know everything, but it's my best guess based on other fields' things.

[destinysfuture.livejournal.com]

I'm assuming that the newer compostions will have a maturity as you are evolving as a composer. R and I talk about this all the time. I think recordings make the differance, but maybe your newer works will open a door that your older works could not? Is there anyway to get some sort of recording in time? I'm not sure I'm helping much as I"m playing both sides...so sorry!

Quick! Write a cello solo piece and I'll record it for you! :-)

[my-fun-lj.livejournal.com]

Two new ones and an old one. That's what I would do!