Bowdoin College Arts Supplement

An arts supplement is an optional way for you to demonstrate your sustained dedication to the arts. Your submission(s) will be reviewed by the appropriate faculty in the music, theater and dance, and/or visual arts departments, and commentary will be sent to the Admissions Office on your behalf.

Your arts supplement is NOT an application for admission to Bowdoin College - you must also complete and submit an application by published deadlines.

* denotes a required field

*Which application round do you plan to use?

Early Decision 1

Early Decision 2

Regular Decision

QuestBridge Match

Entry Term Fall 2025 (Hidden Field)

Student Type First Year (Hidden Field)

Name

*First Name

Preferred First Name (we'll use this in our communications with you)

Middle Name

*Last Name

*Birthdate

Contact Information

*Email Address

*Home Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

*Do you receive mail at this address?

Yes

*Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Would you like to receive text message updates related to your application?

*Primary number to receive mobile messages

HIDDEN device type

HIDDEN device priority

Supplement Options

*Select the department(s) for which you wish to submit material.

Music

Theater and Dance

Visual Art (including Film)

HIDDEN - Interaction Code (Music Supplement)

HIDDEN - Interaction Code (Theater and Dance)

HIDDEN - Interaction Code (Visual Arts)

The Music department primarily uses supplements to gauge an applicant's fit for departmental ensembles. While the department accepts and reviews all submissions, preference will be given to those that demonstrate a clear contribution to existing musical opportunities at Bowdoin.

The department recommends submitting two to three performance samples of no more than 10-15 minutes (total) illustrating the depth and breadth of your repertoire and technique. The Music department prefers that each movement or piece be an unedited version of the performance. Submissions should emphasize individual ability over participation in group ensembles (ie solo performance vs choral group). If you are not the solo performer, please specifically identify yourself in the piece.

Applicants should use YouTube or Vimeo to submit performance samples, but audio-only submissions are acceptable (ie video is not required). Composers may also upload PDF copies of their scores. Physical media submissions will not be reviewed and cannot be returned.

In addition to performance samples, you must include a résumé or C.V. that details your musical experience. You should name and describe ensembles in which you have participated, note any private study, list performances in which you have participated (either in an ensemble or as a soloist), and note any duties performed as an ensemble assistant, officer, or section leader. The résumé should be uploaded at the same time as your supplement.

I understand the requirements for the Music supplement.

The Department of Theater and Dance is open to all students at Bowdoin. The Department specializes in meeting students where they are: some students hold years of training and professional experience, some are just beginning to explore, and many fall somewhere in the middle of that vast spectrum. We encourage all students who are interested in Theater and Dance to help us know you a little better.

I understand the requirements for the Theater and Dance supplement.

The Visual Arts department recommends including a selection of up to five works that demonstrates your artistic interests, experiences, and abilities. Visual Arts portfolios may include a variety of mediums, though several works of the same medium may be more helpful for evaluation. Work should demonstrate creativity, initiative, curiosity, and technique.

Photography portfolios should demonstrate both thematic coherence and technical proficiency. Applicants are encouraged to submit work that explores a particular topic, idea, or subject through a series of photographs.

Film submissions should include a selection of your work that demonstrates your interests and abilities as a filmmaker. Applicants may submit multiple works, but the total run time of your submissions should not exceed 5 minutes.

Visual Art Portfolios must conform to indicated file type and size specifications. Film submissions should use YouTube or Vimeo. Physical media submissions will not be reviewed and cannot be returned.

I understand the requirements for the Visual Arts supplement.

Music Supplement

General Questions

*How important will music be to you in college?

I plan to major or minor in music.

Music will be my primary activity outside of class.

Music will be one among many activities outside of class.

Are you interested in joining a music department ensemble at Bowdoin? If so, which one(s)?

Beyond Borders Percussion Ensemble

Bowdoin Electro-Acoustic Ensemble

Chamber Choir

Chamber Ensembles

Concert Band

Jazz Combos

Middle Eastern Ensemble

Orchestra

South Asian Performing Arts Ensemble

The Beyond Borders Percussion Ensemble is an opportunity to study rhythm, drumming and ensemble skills from a global perspective. The ensemble’s repertoire focuses on Afro-Caribbean, North Indian, South American and West African traditions (usually learned without notation) with an emphasis on the creation of contemporary, cross-genre experimentation that includes improvisation and composition.

The Chamber Choir is an auditioned group of about 35 student singers. Repertory ranges from Renaissance music to American contemporary music and folk music of the world.

Chamber Ensembles are for instrumentalists who play orchestral instruments or piano and would like to play in auditioned 3-5 member ensembles such as piano trios, string quartets, and woodwind and brass quintets.

The Bowdoin Chorus is an ensemble of students, faculty, staff, and community singers. Often features a large-scale work for chorus and orchestra.

The Concert Band is open to all student with wind and percussion experience. Repertoire consists of a variety of literature, from the finest of the wind band repertoire to light classics, show tunes and marches.

Jazz Combos are auditioned groups of four to six students that perform both modern and classic standards, plus some original compositions by students and faculty.

The Middle Eastern Ensemble performs pieces from the Arabic, Turkish, Armenian and Greek traditions. No experience is required to join; students have the option of singing, learning new percussion instruments, or playing an instrument with which they are already familiar.

The Bowdoin Orchestra is an auditioned ensemble for woodwind, brass, percussion, and string players. Repertoire varies widely from semester to semester, covering orchestral music from the Classical era to today.

Are you interested in joining a campus music ensemble at Bowdoin? If so, which one(s)?

A Cappella

Bowdoin Music Collective

Bowdoin College Gospel Choir

Bowdoin College Taiko

Musical Theater Groups

Select the main part you would sing or play at Bowdoin.

Optional: Select the second part you would sing or play at Bowdoin.

Optional: Select the third part you would sing or play at Bowdoin.

*If you selected "Other" in response to a previous question, what would part would you play or sing at Bowdoin?

Do you have other musical talents or interests that you would like us to know about as we consider your application? (eg composition, instruments not listed here, etc.)

Submissions

YouTube and Vimeo are Bowdoin's preferred submission methods.

Include the full URL for each of your submissions, including "https" and "www" (e.g. 'https://www.youtube.com/...' or 'https://www.vimeo.com/...).
Do not use short URLs such as 'youtu.be'

*Submission 1 URL

*Submission 1 Description

Submission 2 URL (Optional)

Submission 2 Description

Submission 3 URL (Optional)

*Submission 3 Description

*Musical Résumé

Include a résumé or C.V. that details your musical experience. You should name and describe ensembles in which you have participated, note any private study, list performances in which you have participated (either in an ensemble or as a soloist), and note any duties performed as an ensemble assistant, officer, or section leader.

Musical Score (Optional)

For composers: Upload a score you have written.

Theater and Dance Supplement

General Questions

*How important will theater and/or dance be to you in college?

I plan to major or minor in performing arts.

One or both will be my primary activity outside of class.

One or both will be among many activities outside of class.

Theater Areas of Interest (Check all that apply)

Acting

Design

Directing

Musical Theater

Other

Other Theater Types

Dance Areas of Interest (Check all that apply)

Modern Dance

Choreography

Musical Theater

Ballet

Other Styles

Other Dance Styles

Concept Statement

All applicants may include a concept statement to accompany their submissions.

Designers and directors are especially encouraged to include a concept statement.

Submissions

*Theater/Dance Résumé

Include a résumé of performance work to date, including show titles (where applicable) and your role within the performance (e.g., dancer, choreographer, designer, assistant director, etc.)

Technical Concept/Drawings (Optional)

For designers: Upload technical and concept drawings or photos from a show you designed.

Script (Optional)

For playwrights: Upload a scene or one-act play you have written (max 15 pages).

In a 2-3 minute video or short written statement, please talk to us about the role the arts has played in your life, and how you plan to engage with the arts at the college level. Use any form you wish: words, movement, song, etc. Please don’t submit clips from past performances. Rather, speak or write from your authentic self here, today, now.

Video

Written Statement

YouTube and Vimeo are Bowdoin's preferred submission methods for theater and dance.

Include the full URL for each of your submissions, including "https" and "www" (e.g. 'https://www.youtube.com/...' or 'https://www.vimeo.com/...).
Do not use short URLs such as 'youtu.be'

Video URL

Written Statement

Visual Arts Supplement

General Questions

*How important will visual arts be to you in college?

I plan to major or minor in visual arts.

Visual art will be my primary activity outside of class.

Visual art will be among many activities outside of class.

Portfolios are evaluated by the Visual Arts Faculty in three groups: General Portfolios, Photography Portfolios, and Film.

What type of portfolio are you submitting?

General Portfolio

Photography Portfolio

Film

Please indicate which type of material you are submitting.

Paintings, Drawings, and/or Prints

Three-Dimensional Work

New Media (excluding film)

Photography portfolios should demonstrate both thematic coherence and technical proficiency. Applicants are encouraged to submit work that explores a particular topic, idea, or subject (up to 5 images).

Film submissions should include a selection of your work that demonstrates your interests and abilities as a filmmaker. Applicants may submit multiple works, but the total run time of your submissions should not exceed 5 minutes.

Portfolio Statement

Please describe your portfolio.

Submissions

Please select a portfolio type above.

Please upload at least three, but no more than five, images that demonstrate your artistic interests, experiences, and abilities. Short descriptions of each material are helpful but not necessary.

Acceptable file formats are JPG, PNG, GIF, TIF, and PDF. Maximum file size is 16MB.

*Submission 1

Submission 1 Description

*Submission 2

Submission 2 Description

*Submission 3

Submission 3 Description

Submission 4

Submission 4 Description

Submission 5

Submission 5 Description

YouTube and Vimeo are Bowdoin's preferred submission methods for theater and dance.

Include the full URL for each of your submissions, including "https" and "www" (e.g. 'https://www.youtube.com/...' or 'https://www.vimeo.com/...).
Do not use short URLs such as 'youtu.be'

*Submission 1 URL

*Submission 1 Description

Submission 2 URL

*Submission 2 Description

Submission 3 URL

*Submission 3 Description

Affirmation

I have completed my Bowdoin College Arts Supplement to my satisfaction.