Asked to play piano at an interview?

[amph119]

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Okay so bear with me here, as this may be a silly question.

I listed on my AMCAS that I have played piano for 12 years. I'm working on transcribing popular stuff onto the keyboard now. Has anyone ever heard of an interview taking place in a room near another room with a keyboard/piano? I would love to have them ask me to play something I have transcribed during my interview.

 

[bcat85]

I see it as being extremely unlikely that someone would have something as large as a keyboard or a piano just sitting around their office, especially at an academic medical center. I have heard of people being asked to sing before (e.g. they put down that they were in an acapella group, a chorus, etc.), but never play an instrument.

 

[gplex86]

Okay so bear with me here, as this may be a silly question.

I listed on my AMCAS that I have played piano for 12 years. I'm working on transcribing popular stuff onto the keyboard now. Has anyone ever heard of an interview taking place in a room near another room with a keyboard/piano? I would love to have them ask me to play something I have transcribed during my interview.

Good thing I didn't say I could fart the national anthem on my primary. Most of the offices I've seen aren't well ventilated.

 

[Depakote]

It's a pretty unlikely scenario, but I can think of one faculty member at my school who is a music nut and is also the type that loves to have you demonstrate what you know... if he were interviewing you, he'd probably find you a piano.

BTW. I know of at least 1 piano in a lounge on campus, and I'd bet a faculty member that's been here for a while could find a few more if they wanted to.

 

[coldweatherblue]

Not quite the same, but I was asked to send one of my interviewers a few recordings of me playing classical guitar. We talked about it for a while (I was a music major) and I think he wanted to see if I was any good. I think it would be easier to send recordings rather than to organize the interview to be near a keyboard.

You could always bring an electronic piano with you and set it up at the beginning. 😎

 

[pianola]

I definitely wouldn't *mind* playing for my interviewer, but I do wonder if it would take time away from other questions that might be useful in evaluating my character, etc.

I asked LizzyM if it was ok to send recordings and she suggested that ADCOMs have no way of evaluating my musical talent and so perhaps it isn't appropriate.

I love to improvise, though, and I think it would be a fun challenge to come up with some musical ideas spontaneously...😉 We'll see what they ask.

 

[Depakote]

I definitely wouldn't *mind* playing for my interviewer, but I do wonder if it would take time away from other questions that might be useful in evaluating my character, etc.

I asked LizzyM if it was ok to send recordings and she suggested that ADCOMs have no way of evaluating my musical talent and so perhaps it isn't appropriate.

I love to improvise, though, and I think it would be a fun challenge to come up with some musical ideas spontaneously...😉 We'll see what they ask.

I don't see recordings being helpful. A command performance might be a good gauge of how an applicant performs under pressure, though.

My class does have a number of accomplished musicians.

 

[Maxwell Edison]

I had personally imagined a scenario in which someone may ask me to sing one of the songs I'd written. My concern (apart from sliding a bit sharp on the vocal as I sometimes tend to do) was that this would be seen as unprofessional.

Any thoughts on that?

 

[coldweatherblue]

I had personally imagined a scenario in which someone may ask me to sing one of the songs I'd written. My concern (apart from sliding a bit sharp on the vocal as I sometimes tend to do) was that this would be seen as unprofessional.

Any thoughts on that?

I think the whole point is that you want to seem like a "future med-student" who enjoys music rather than a musician who is being pushed into medicine. If you are really eager to show your skills it might come off as a bit unprofessional.

I would not just interject "BTW I'm a musician, do you mind if I send you some recordings/play for you?" because it takes the focus off your medical interests. However, if the interviewer asks "So what are your interests outside medicine?" you can begin talking about what you have accomplished musically and if he asks for a recording/performance then I think it's appropriate.

 

[45408]

I see it as being extremely unlikely that someone would have something as large as a keyboard or a piano just sitting around their office, especially at an academic medical center. I have heard of people being asked to sing before (e.g. they put down that they were in an acapella group, a chorus, etc.), but never play an instrument.

The lobby of the med school at UWisc had a grand piano when I was there.


For the OP, yes, I actually have heard of a guy being called on to play piano at an interview, only to reveal he couldn't play any more than Chopsticks. I don't know if it was an urban legend to scare pre-meds or a true story, but if you really can play piano, you have nothing to worry about.

 

[amph119]

The lobby of the med school at UWisc had a grand piano when I was there.


For the OP, yes, I actually have heard of a guy being called on to play piano at an interview, only to reveal he couldn't play any more than Chopsticks. I don't know if it was an urban legend to scare pre-meds or a true story, but if you really can play piano, you have nothing to worry about.

haha, that's awesome. Sweet.

 

[pianola]

I had personally imagined a scenario in which someone may ask me to sing one of the songs I'd written. My concern (apart from sliding a bit sharp on the vocal as I sometimes tend to do) was that this would be seen as unprofessional.

Any thoughts on that?

Are the lyrics...unprofessional? 😉 If so, I'd rather advise against sharing them. But, of course, as always, your choice.

 

[gates_2]

.

 

[coralfangs]

Don't assume hospitals don't have pianos. I've heard of interviewers asking the interviewees to play a piece or two. Not that they don't believe the kids, but they are those who are passionate about the music and wouldn't mind hearing a piece or two.
Just be prepared and don't over-exaggerate your skills (knows how to play the chopsticks but claim to play in a band or something).

 

[MichiganEMTInt]

Hmm...I'd go with Rachmaninoff prelude op23no7. Usually doesnt take more than 2:45 to play 🙂

 

[pianola]

For me -- La Campanella; the transcription by Liszt. Which reminds me, I should probably be practicing just in case they ask me to play it! It's the only solo work I remember putting on my AMCAS app...the rest were all chamber works or concerti.

I'd rather improvise, though...

 

[bcat85]

Hmm...I'd go with Rachmaninoff prelude op23no7. Usually doesnt take more than 2:45 to play 🙂

That would really be something. A guaranteed admission

 

[phonyreal98]

I'm thinking I'm gonna play Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto if asked to play piano at an interview...HAHAHAHAHA NOT!!!

I'd probably play...idk what I'd play...haha probably something that the interviewer has probably heard before like Linus and Lucy (the whole thing). I like jazz. 🙂

 

[pianola]

I'm thinking I'm gonna play Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto if asked to play piano at an interview...HAHAHAHAHA NOT!!!

I'd probably play...idk what I'd play...haha probably something that the interviewer has probably heard before like Linus and Lucy (the whole thing). I like jazz. 🙂

Bout that Rach...I'll do the orchestra part, man. 😉

 

[schismal]

For me -- La Campanella; the transcription by Liszt.

The last ~minute is one of my favorites. 👍

If I really practice, I could try for Scriabin's Etude op.8, no.12.
If I don't practice, probably Solfeggietto.

 

[pianola]

Scriabin's Etude op.8, no.12.

👍

Lots of love for Russian composers on this thread I see...

 

[gates_2]

I'm thinking I'm gonna play Rachmaninoff's 3rd piano concerto if asked to play piano at an interview...HAHAHAHAHA NOT!!!

oh man- his second piano concerto is by far the best! You`ve gotta hear Van Cliburn with the CSO 1961 recording- its seriously amazing..so lush!😍

Erhm.. anyways.. I hope whatever school I end up at has people passionate about music, not that I`ll have time, but a chamber music group of med students would be seriously fun.👍

 

[kypdurron5]

Seriously, do you really think medical school admission is this much of a circus? If they actually did ask you to play on the grand piano sitting in the middle of admissions office it would be completely inappropriate!

 

[amph119]

Seriously, do you really think medical school admission is this much of a circus? If they actually did ask you to play on the grand piano sitting in the middle of admissions office it would be completely inappropriate!

Just asking if anyone has ever heard of it... obviously I don't expect interviewers to grill people and ask them to prove everything on their app. Chill.

I think it'd be pretty cool to be able to show off a different side than straight up academics.

 

[iduwanna]

Okay, ppl are starting to post their delusions again.

In the AMCAS, I claimed to have worked for Chevron, yet I'm not concerned about having to draw crude oil from a pump and interpret its mass spec.

I'm also fairly certain that I won't be asked to change a baby's diaper though I've worked in daycare.

 

[plauto]

What I did was to bring with me a CD of on of my recitals to the interview. If the interviewer was really interested or asked for it, then I'd give it to him/her. I never gave one out.
My point is that you don't want to place all of your bets on the fact you have a specific talent. It might play in your favor, but in many cases it might not because it will not allow them to see other aspects of you persona (if any!). Just my 2 cents

 

[amph119]

Okay, ppl are starting to post their delusions again.

In the AMCAS, I claimed to have worked for Chevron, yet I'm not concerned about having to draw crude oil from a pump and interpret its mass spec.

I'm also fairly certain that I won't be asked to change a baby's diaper though I've worked in daycare.

This is completely and totally relevant to my original post.

 

[TrojanYoshi]

Its funny that you asked this question...

Last year, I had dinner with the dean of admissions of the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine and we ended up talking about admissions (duh). Apparently in the 2006-07 cycle, some kid from Harvard applied to WUSTL and on the app said that he could play piano. Apparently his intereviewer had a piano and on a whim asked the guy to play a duet. Then it turned out that the kid couldn't actually play piano. Needless to say his application was thrown out.

Moral of the story: dont lie on your app.

The rest of the admissions staff told me that thats the first time they have ever had an interviewer ask someone to play a piano and that it probably wont happen again. But yea, it COULD happen to you.

 

[MichiganEMTInt]

oh man- his second piano concerto is by far the best! You`ve gotta hear Van Cliburn with the CSO 1961 recording- its seriously amazing..so lush!😍

Erhm.. anyways.. I hope whatever school I end up at has people passionate about music, not that I`ll have time, but a chamber music group of med students would be seriously fun.👍

Kissin??? Bronfman??? Highly recommend these recordings. I am going to see Bronfman perform in Aspen in a few weeks. Saw him perform Rach 3 with DSO a year ago-amazing. His style is so much different than Cliburn.

I wish Richter was still alive...🙁 anyway this is not a piano thread. SORRY😀

 

[phonyreal98]

I actually just bought a transcription of Rossini's William Tell Overture today. Maybe I might not do Linus and Lucy...😉

 

[45408]

Seriously, do you really think medical school admission is this much of a circus? If they actually did ask you to play on the grand piano sitting in the middle of admissions office it would be completely inappropriate!

No, it wouldn't. It's quite unlikely, but not even remotely inappropriate.