First 2 Pages

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TipsforWritingCoverLetters

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Acoverletterdoesexactlywhatitsnameimplies:itprovidesacoverforyourrésumé,orotheraccompanying

materials.Thecoverletteristhefirstthingaprospectiveemployerwillsee,soitisimportanttoarticulateyour

mostrelevantqualificationsfortheparticularopportunity.Thechallengeistomakeacompellingcaseforwhy

specificallyyouareagoodmatchfortheemployer’sstatedneeds.Intheprocessofapplyingforajob,thepointofthe

coverletteristomatchyourspecificskillsandexperiencestotheSPECIFICneedsoftheemployerasstatedinthejob

description.

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Insteadofapproachingthecoverletterasyouropportunitytoexpoundonyourbreadthofaccomplishmentsand

skills(ortoprovidethereaderwithabriefbioaboutyou),therecommendedstrategyistofocusonthe

EMPLOYER’SNEEDS.Addressonlytheaspectsofyourbackgroundthathighlightthedesiredabilitiesand

experiencementionedinthejobdescription.AgoodcoverletterisNOTaboutyou,theapplicant:agoodcover

letterfocusesontheemployer’sneedsandthespecificabilitiesandexperiencesyouhavetofittheseneeds.

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Thecoverlettershouldcapturetheprospectiveemployer’sattention,bystressingthematchbetweenthe

employer’sneedsandyourexperience/ability.Thecoverlettershouldprompttheemployertoreadyourrésumé

indetail.Therésumé,inturn,providesadditionalcredibilitybydetailingyourrelevantworkhistory,education,

etc.

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Incomposingacoverletteryou shouldfollowcertain“businessetiquette”guidelines:

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1.Laser‐printyourcoverletterandrésuméonthesameprofessionalqualitystationery;useidenticalletterhead

onboth.Ifsendingacoverletterandrésumébyemail,sendasPDFssothatyouwon’tlosefontsand

formatting.Ifyoucan’tconvertyourdocumentstoPDFs,thenkeeptheformattingassimpleaspossible(no

bullets,andnoexoticletterheadfonts,sincetheemployer’scomputermaynotbeabletotranslatethese).

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2.Addressthelettertoaspecificnameandtitle.Doublecheckthatthespellingandtitlearecorrect.Ifyouare

uncertaintowhomyoushouldaddresstheletter,calltheorganizationandaskthereceptionist(unlessthead

reads‘nophonecallsplease’).Sendingyourinformationto“Personnel”orto“Sir/Madam”doesnotmakea

goodimpression—takethetimetofindthecorrectnameandtitleofthecontact.Justaskthereceptionistor

personwhoanswersthephonefortheinformationyouneed.Alwaysbecourteous andfriendlyto

receptionistsandassistants.Theyaretheoneswhopassoninformationandfeedback(bothpositiveand

negative)tothepersonwhoultimatelymakesthehiringdecisions.

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3.AbouttheTONEandwritingstyleoftheletter:useapositive,direct,andassertive(butnotaggressiveor

arrogant)writingstyle.Makesureyouarerespectfulandshowdeferencetothepersonwhomayhireyouand

superviseyou.Yourcoverletteristhefirststepinpotentiallyestablishingaworkingrelationshipwiththe

hiringmanager.Sodon’ttakeapresumptuoustonebystatingyouarethe‘ideal;’or‘perfect’matchforthejob

orthatyouwill‘surpasstheirexpectations.’Afterall,that’sfortheemployertodecide.It’smoreimpressiveto

stateconcretelytheexperienceyouhavethatdirectlypreparesyouforaparticularjob.Edittoeliminate

extraneouswordsandcheckgrammar,spelling,andpunctuation.Inadditiontostatingyourpurpose,your

letterdemonstratesyourabilitytocommunicate.

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4.Tailoreachcoverlettertoaspecificjob.DoNOTwritea“generic”coverletter.Youneedtotailoreachletter

tothespecificneedsoftheemployer.

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5.Whendraftingyourletter,it’simportanttoworkfromtheemployer’scompletedetailedjobdescription

(usuallyfoundontheemployer’swebsite)insteadofusingtheabbreviatedjobpostingyoumightreadinan

ad.Yourlettershouldaddressthecompleteneedsanddetailedqualificationsstatedinthejobdescription.

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6.Keeptheletterconciseandtothepoint;donotexceedonepage.Threeorfourdetailedparagraphsshould

suffice.Belowistheformatwerecommend.Thinkofeachparagraphashavingamission.

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1stParagraph:Statewhichpositionyou’reapplyingforandhowyou foundoutabouttheopening.Thisisa

courtesytotheemployerwhowantstoknowhowcandidatesfindlistings(Craig’slist,NEC’sBridge:

WorldwideMusicConnection,orMonster.com,etc.).Ifyouhaveacontactattheorganizationoran

acquaintanceoftheemployerletyouknowabouttheopening,usethatperson’snameinthefirstsentence,or

atleastinthefirstparagraph(“So‐and‐SorecommendedIwritetoyouconcerningtheopeningfor...”).

Expressyourenthusiasmfortheposition,butbespecific.Dosomeresearchsothatyoucanstatewhyyou

arespecificallyinterestedinworkingforthisparticularorganization(isittheirinspiringprogramming,their

innovativeapproach,theirnewfacility?).DoNOTwriteaboutyoureducationalorprofessionalbackground

inthisparagraph,save thisinformation.

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MiddleParagraph(s):Thisisthe“meat”oftheletter,whereyoubuildacaseforwhyyou believeyouarea

goodmatchforthejob.Detailatleastthreespecificwork‐relatedexperiences/accomplishmentsthatdirectly

demonstratethatyourqualificationsfittheemployer’sneeds.Thinkaboutitfromtheemployer’spointof

view—whataretheymostinterestedinknowingaboutyou?Describeonlythespecificskillsor

qualificationsthatdirectlyrelatetothatjob.Atechniquetomakesureyouwritetherelevantinformationis

tostarttheparagraphwith“Myrelevantexperienceincludes...”

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DoNOTwriteinchronologicalorderaboutyourlifeexperience.Theorderyouuseshouldbebasedonthe

employer’sprioritiesforthejob,asevidencedinthecompletejobdescriptionandontheorganization’s

website.

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Yes,thisinformationisonyourrésumé,buthereinthecoverletter,isyouropportunitytoemphasizeit.Do

NOTstartthisparagraphwitheitherthefactthatyouareastudentorthatyouhavejustgraduated.Ifyou

wanttohighlightyoureducationcredentials,dosoattheendoftheparagraph.Besuccinct,thoughtful,and

purposeful(withoutbeingaggressiveorboastful).

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ClosingParagraph:Thanktheemployerforconsideringyourrésuméandindicatethatyouwillcallnextweek

tofollowup.Whenyoucall,it’stomakesuretheyreceivedyourmaterials.Ifyouaremeetingadeadline,

thisisimportant,becauseifthelettergetslostinthemailorinthecyberspace,youcanthenre‐sendit,orfax

ittothem.

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7.Checkspelling,grammar,andpunctuation, andhavesomeoneelseproofreadyourletterforclarityand

typographicalerrorsbeforesending.Avoidsuchcoverletterbloopersas:“Ipresentedseveralpubicconcerts

intheBayarea.”

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FormattingDetails

Yourcoverlettershouldhaveyourletterhead(yournameandcontactinformationarrangedinagraphicdesign).

Yourletterheadshouldbeprofessionallookingandidenticaltowhatappearsonallyourmarketingmaterials

(yourrésumé,bio,etc.).Onthecomputer,simplyhighlightand“copy”theletterheadyou’vecreatedforyour

résuméand“paste”itonalltheotherdocumentsyouneedtocreate.

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Thesedocumentsshouldallbelaser‐printedonprofessionalqualitymatchingstationerypaper(higher‐quality

paperthanphotocopypa per—ithasapercentageofcottoncontentandoftenawatermark). Forpapercolors,

white,off‐whiteorlightgrayalllookprofessionalandarefine.Cream‐coloredpapersometimeslookstoomuch

likeaweddinginvitation.Youshouldalsopurchasematchingbusinesssizeenvelopes,availableinmostcopy

shopsandstationerystores.Thissetofmaterialswilllookimpressiveandprofessional.(Note:Allsupplies

relatingtoyourrésuméaretaxdeductible;saveyourreceipts).

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Regardingpagelayoutandlinespacing,ifyouhavealotoftext,you’llprobablyneedtokeepyourlettersingle

spaced.Ifyoudon’thavealotoftext,youcanusethe“linespacing”featuretospreadthetextout.

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Don’tforgettosigntheletter!Itshouldbesenttogetherwithyourrésumé (letterontop)inabusinesssized

envelope.Donotpapercliporstaplethetwodocumentstogether.Foldthecoverletterandrésuméinthirds,so

thatwhenyou“open”thetopflapitrevealsyourletterheadandopeningofyourletter.Placeitintheenvelope

sothatthistopflapopensupparallelwiththeopenedflapoftheenvelope.

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FollowUp

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Ifattheendofyourletteryoupromisetofollowup,makesureyoudoso.Itwillshowthatyouarebothserious

andprofessional.Andagain,whenyoucall,youaresimplyinquiringaboutwhetherornotthey’vereceived

yourletter,butyoucanfollowthiswith,“CanyoutellmewhenImighthearsomethingback?”Sometimesthe

receptionist,ifyouarepoliteandfriendly,mayvolunteerextrainformation,suchas,“Oh,wewereswamped

withapplicantsandthesearchcommitteewon’tgetbacktoanyonefortwomonths.”Thisisimportanttoknow,

andifyoudon’tfollowupwithaphonecall,youwillmissout.Butofcourse,ifthejoblistingreads,“Nophone

callsplease,”thenyoudon’tcall!



Keepcopiesofallthelettersyousendsoyou’llhaveanaccuraterecordofcorrespondence.Itisalsoagoodidea

tokeepanotebooksoyoucantrackyouractionsandfollow‐upontheopportunitiesyou’repursuing.Before

placingthefollow‐upcall,youshouldreviewyournotestodeterminewhatstepsyou havealreadytaken.

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Creating Your Letterhead

“Letterhead”referstothedesignedinformationatthetopofanindividual’sororganization’sstationary.

Thisshouldincludeyourname(oryourensemble’sname),instrument/voicetype,mailandemail

address,phone,andwebsiteURL.Theideaofletterheadistohelpthereaderrememberyournameand

whatyoudoandtocommunicateyourprofessionalism.It’stheequivalentofalogo.Yourletterhead

shouldbeusedonallyourpressmaterials–yourrésumé,bio,pressreleases,repertoirelist,etc.In

choosingyourletterheaddesign,keepinmindthateveryfontstyle(letterstyle),hasadifferentlookand

communicatesadifferent“personality”orimage,beitelegant,established, distinctive,slick,etc.Be

carefuloftoostifforformalalook,ortoofrillyorcutealook.Rememberthatthisismostlikelythefirst

impressionaconcertseriespresenteroremployerwillgetofyou.Yourletterheadshouldcommunicate

thatyou’reaprofessional.Asfortheprintingoftheletterhead,somepeopleuseacolorprintersothey

canhaveacolorletterhead.Thisiscertainlynotnecessary, butifyoudousecolor,makesureit’stasteful

andprofessional(nohotpink,please).



Yournameorthenameofyourgroupshouldbethelargest–youwantthereadertorememberyou.

Stayawayfromusingallcapitalletters,astheseslowtheeyedownandtendto“scream”atthereader.If

yournameislongand/ordifficulttopronounce,chooseaplai ner,lessornatefonttomakeitmorereader‐

friendly.Ifyournameisshortandcommon,youmaywanttochooseafontwithmorevisualinterestto

helpmakeyournameeasiertoremember.Youraddressandphonearelessinteresting,soyoushould

putthoseinaplainerfontthatworkswellwiththefontofyourname.Thecomputeryouproduceyour

résuméonmaynothavealargechoiceoffonts–experimentwiththeonesavailabletoyoutofind the

mosteffectiveletterhead.Herearetwoverydifferentversionsoftwomusicians’letterheads.



Notetheletterheadexamplesbelowandhowdifferenttheyareonefromtheother

Adea Wood, flutist

20 Any St., Suite 100 Boston, MA 02115 Tel/Fax (617) 555-1212 [email protected]

Upper line is Kudasai, 20 pts

Line across page is made using the Borders and Shading function, single, under “Format” in Microsoft Office

Lower line is Tahoma, 10 pts

Adea Wood, flutist

20 Any St., Suite 100 Boston, MA 02115 Tel/Fax (617) 555-1212 [email protected]

Upper line is Bradley Hand ITC, 22

Lower line is same , 10 pts

Georgia Gremouti, Guitarist and Teacher

1 Main St., #5  Home Town, MA 02115  (617) 555-1212  [email protected]

Upper line is Papyrus, 20 pts (name), 16 pts (guitarist, etc.)

Lower line is Ariel Narrow, 10 pts. Diamonds are made with the letter ‘U’ in zapf dingbats in 6 pts

Georgia Gremouti, guitarist / teacher

1 Main St., #5 Home Town, MA 02115 (617) 555-1212 [email protected]

Upper line is Bauhaus 93, 16 pts (name); 12 pts (guitarist, etc.)

Lower line is Ariel Narrow, 12 pts.

Sam Spencer, Arts Administrator

1 Main St., #5

 Home Town, MA 02115  (617) 555-1212  sspencer@email.com

Upper line is Kino in 22 pts (name), & 18 pts.; Lower line is Eurostile 12 pts.; Diamonds are made with the letter “u” in zapf dingbats 5 pts.

Samuel Spencer

1 Main St., #5 Home Town, MA 02115 (617) 555-1212 [email protected]

Upper line is Kudasai bold 18 pts; Lower line is same, 12 pts.

Belowisasamplejobdescription,followedbythecoverletterandrésuméanapplicantused

toapplyforthejob.Notehowthecoverletterandrésuméspecificallyaddresstheneedsofthe

employerasstatedinthejobdescriptionbelow.

Note:Itcanbehelpfultoworkonyourcoverletterwhilekeepingthejobdescriptionnextto

yourcomputer.Youmayalsowanttohighlightthespecificpointsyouneedtoaddressand

thenwhenyoureadyourdraft,checkoffthepointsinthejobdescriptionthatyouactually

covered.

Manhattan School of Music

120 Claremont Avenue

New York, NY 10027

Administrative Assistant wanted for the Recording and Video Conferencing Department at

Manhattan School of Music

9-5 M-F plus occasional evening and weekend hours as needed

Job Description

Assist in daily running of busy office;

Interact with students, faculty, staff;

Scheduling of special events, and equipment use;

Handle questions/customer service;

Schedule repairs and equipment updates

Duties:

Front office work, reception duties, handle correspondence, scheduling of equipment,

troubleshooting

Qualifications:

Knowledge of classical and jazz; Bachelor of Music preferred; customer service and office

administrative experience; computer skills and technical abilities; organization and

communication skills.

Send materials to:

George Robertson, Director

Human Resources

Manhattan School of Music

120 Claremont Avenue

New York, NY 10027

Aisha Hosley

Temporary:33GainsboroughSt.#714,Boston,MA02115(617)375‐2889[email protected]

Permanent:96EllisAvenue,IrvingtonNJ07111(973)374‐3388



May13,1998



GeorgeRobertson,Director

HumanResources

ManhattanSchoolofMusic

120ClaremontAvenue

NewYork,NY10027



DearMr.Robertson:



 IreadwithinterestabouttheAdministrativeAssistantpositionopeningfortheRecordingandVideo

ConferencingDept.atManhattanSchoolofMusicintheMay3rdSundayeditionoftheNewYorkTimes(found

onCareerPath.com).Enclosedismyrésuméinsupportofmyapplication.Iamveryenthusiasticaboutthe

possibilityofworkingattheManhattanSchoolofMusicbecauseofitsfinereputationandbecausethisposition

seemstobeagoodmatchwithmybackground,interests,andexperience.

 MyrelevantcomputerskillsincludeMSWord,MSOfficeWindows,Excel,Clarisworks,andFinale

Windows.Iamwellacquaintedwithworkinmusicschoolenvironmentsandhaveheldtwowork‐study

positionsattheNewEnglandConservatoryinBoston,whereIwillreceivemyBachelor’sdegreeinJazz

Performancethissemester.

 OutsideoftheConservatory,Iworkpart‐timeasanAdministrativeAssistantattheAlgonquinClub,an

exclusiveprivatesocialclub,whereIhavehandledawidevarietyofadministrativeresponsibilities.Ihave

excellentcustomerservice,organization,andcommunicationskills,andIlearnquickly.Ihaveacquiredabroad

knowledgeofbothjazzandclassicalmusicthroughmystudiesattheConservatoryandIaminterestedand

motivatedtolearnmoreaboutdistancelearning,videoconferencingandaudiotechnology.

 AlthoughInowliveinBoston,IamplanningtomovebacktotheNYCareathissummer;Iwillbe

travelingbackandforthinthecomingweeksandwouldbehappytomeetwithyoutodiscusstheposition.

Thankyouforconsideringmyrésumé.Iwillcallnextweektofollowup.



Sincerely,



AishaHosley



Enc.résumé

Aisha Hosley

Temporary:33GainsboroughSt.#714,Boston,MA02115(617)375‐2889[email protected]

Permanent:96EllisAvenue,IrvingtonNJ07111(973)374‐3388

Profile

Extensive office experience: excellent organization, communication, and customer service skills; computer

skills: MS Word, MS Office Windows, Excel, Clarisworks, Finale. Broad knowledge of jazz,

classical, popular music. Motivated team player with willingness to learn.

Arts Administration Experience

Bindery Assistant, work-study position, New England Conservatory, Spaulding Library,

Boston, MA 1995-98

• Processed books and scores for shelving

• Assisted in the repair of damaged books and scores

• Organized and sorted catalogued scores and parts for processing

Audience Service Assistant, work-study position, Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory,

Boston, MA 1993-97

• Assisted with ticket sales

• Fielded customer service complaints and concerns

Telemarketer, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Newark, NJ, summer 1995

• Sold season ticket subscriptions

Related Administrative Experience

Administrative Assistant, Algonquin Club, Boston, MA 1997-present

• Revised and updated daily and weekly function schedules

• Compiled weekly staff timecards and monthly inventories on spreadsheets

• Managed busy switchboard and all reception duties

• Performed general office duties: billing, faxing, typing, mailing, and copying

Program Assistant, Boys and Girls Club, Boston, MA, summer 1996

• Assisted in supervising 7 High School student counselors

• Taught folksongs

• Supervised 40 six year old children for field trips and all program activities

Computer Skills

MS Word, Clarisworks, Finale

MS Office, MS Excel

Education

New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance, 1998

Honors/Awards

Scholarship, New England Conservatory 1993-98

References available upon request

Sample Cover Letter requesting an audition.

Tip: Typically, orchestral and opera/voice auditions are simply posted with the position (principal, section,

substitute, etc.) or voice type being sought. Applicants apply by sending a cover letter and résumé to request an

audition. Note: some orchestras as well as many opera apprentice program have community outreach performances

as part of their contracts. And some have a contemporary (or early) music orientation, others have Pops seasons.

It’s worthwhile to read up on the performing group’s website, so you can fine tune both your cover letter and the

résumé to the needs of the employer.

Heather Kellgreen, Harpist

1/2 Westland Ave. #100 Boston, MA 02115 (617) 555-1212 hkellgreen@email.com

February 9, 2003

Mr. James Sullivan

Personnel Manager

Nashville Symphony Orchestra

30 Central St.

Hudson, MA 01749

Dear Mr. Sullivan:

My teacher, Ann Hobson Pilot, of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, recommended I write concerning the principal harp

opening at the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. I have enclosed my résumé detailing my relevant training and experience.

My orchestral experience includes performances with the Boston Philharmonic, the Boston Civic Orchestra, the New

Hampshire Symphony Orchestra and the Brockton Symphony Orchestra. I was principal harpist for the Texas Festival

Orchestra at the International Festival at Round Top, Texas and have been a member of the Contemporary Ensemble at the

New England Conservatory for three years. I have also done a considerable amount of freelance work at major hotels and

conference centers in the Boston area, while earning my undergraduate degree at the Conservatory.

Thank you for considering my résumé. I look forward to the opportunity to audition for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

I will call next week to inquire about the status of my application.

Sincerely,

Heather Kellgreen

Enc. résumé

Sample letter for teaching position

Tip: the employer is a community music school seeking candidates with teaching experience--especially with

children and adults. They want someone who likes working with a wide age range, all levels, and who has teaching

experience in an institution. The school also hires for chamber music coaches and theory. The teachers they look to

hire should also have active performance careers.

Tiong-Kiat Yeo, Guitarist

12 Symphony Rd. #1 Boston, MA 02115 (617) 555-1212 [email protected]

May 9, 2003

Ms. Susan Tucker

Executive Director

Manchester Community Music School

83 Hanover St.

Manchester, NH 03101

Dear Ms. Tucker:

In response to your school’s notice of vacancies listing, I am writing to apply for the position of

guitar instructor at the Manchester Community Music School. Enclosed are my résumé and references in

support of my application.

My teaching experience includes a faculty position in Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (college

level) in Singapore, where I taught classical guitar, coached chamber music, taught ear-training, and

conducted an instrumental ensemble. I have also taught for many years privately, in Boston and

Singapore. My performance experience includes extensive chamber music performances as first guitarist

of the Singapore Guitar Quartet, as well as solo recitals in Singapore and Boston. I am a graduate of the

New England Conservatory, with a Graduate Diploma in Guitar performance.

I am very enthusiastic about the guitar instructor position at the Manchester Community Music

School. I will call next week to follow up and I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Tiong-Kiat Yeo

Enc. Résumé, references

[Sample introductory cover letter for situations where there is no posted opening]

Ross Monroe Winter, Violin

75 Saint Alphonsus St. #1615 Boston, MA 02120 (804) 337-8386 RossieViolin@hotmail.com

Dr.JohnGuthmiller

VirginiaCommonwealthUniversity

SchooloftheArts,DepartmentofMusic

922ParkAvenue–POBox842004

Richmond,VA23284‐2004



May26,2004



DearDr.Guthmiller:

IamaviolinistoriginallyfromRichmond,Virginia.ThisAugustIplantoreturntoVirginiato

makeitmyhome.AsIgetsettled,Ihopetobuildacareerasateacherandperformerinthegreater

Virginiamusicalcommunity.

Iaminterestedinyourmusicprogramasateacherandasaperformer.Asayoungenthusiastic

teacherofviolin,IamseekingaplacewhereIcandevelopmypassionforbothmusicmakingandmusic

teaching.IamseekingaplacewhereIcancontributetothegrowthofastronginstrumentalprogramas

ateacherandasaperformer.IhaveincludedmyCurriculumVitae,butletmeunderscorethefollowing

positionsandresponsibilities:



• Faculty:NewEnglandConservatorySummerSchool’s“FestivalYouthOrchestraSummerInstitute,”02‐04

• StudioInstructor:privatestudioteachersince1998

• ViolinCoach:NewEnglandConservatory’sYouthPhilharmonicOrchestra(BenjaminZander,conductor)

andYouthSymphony(AaronKula,conductor)since2002

• AuditionJudicator:NewEnglandConservatoryPreparatorySchool(MarkChurchill,director)since2002

• MasterclassInstructor:greaterNewEnglandarea



Myheartliesinteaching.Asanenthusiasticandenergeticteacher,thereisnogreatersatisfactionforme

thanbeing abletonurture theskillsand talents ofyoungmusicians.Ihavebeen blessedwithmanywonderful

opportunitiesasaviolinist,butnonearemorespecialtomethanmyworkasateacherandcoach.

Asamusician,performanceisalsoa passionofmine.Ihaveperformedwithnumerousensemblesina

widerangeofrepertoireinavarietyofsettingsrangingfromhallsandpublicschoolsinBoston,CarnegieHall–

NewYork,Richmond,andAspen,toAmsterdam,Koln,andBrussels.



• Orchestra experience:Boston Philharmonic, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, Roanoke Symphony

Orchestra, Hingham Symphony Orchestra, among others performing repertoire from Beethoven and

SchuberttoMahlerandBerg

• Chamber groups:Beaumont String Quartet, numerous piano trios and quartets, among many other

performingrepertoirefromMozartandMendelssohntoFauré,BrahmsandBarber

• Solo concerts:recitalist, featured faculty soloist with NEC’s Festival Youth Orchestra, Richmond

Philharmonic Orchestra, NEC’s Select Chamber Orchestra among others performing repertoire from

CorelliandBachtodeFallaandIves



Ihopetocallyouwithinthenextfewweeksandbeabletotalkwithyouinperson.



Sincerely,

RossMonroeWinter

Sample letter for college teaching position

Kazuha Nakahara, Pianist/Educator

801 E. Hunter Avenue Apt 15, Bloomington, IN 47401 (812) 345-3176 [email protected]

January 27, 2007

Laura Melton, Chair

Piano Search Committee

College of Musical Arts

Bowling Green State University

Bowling Green, OH 43403-0290

Dear Dr. Melton:

I am writing to apply for the Piano instructor position at Bowling Green State University beginning fall 2007, as

advertised on your department’s website. I believe my experiences and commitment to teaching make me well

qualified to meet the needs of the Bowling Green State University’s excellent music program. I am also very

happy to relocate to Ohio, where I spent my teenage years growing up in Cleveland and Columbus.

As an Associate Instructor at Indiana University, I have gained valuable experience teaching the piano to

university students in both private and classroom settings. In lessons, I place strong emphasis on higher artistic

interpretation and its presentation, tone production, effective learning/practice strategies, memorization skills,

posture/alignment, sight-reading, music fundamentals/theory, and ear training. For non-music majors, I

incorporate folk, popular and traditional music into the curriculum to match their needs and interests. I have

also been an instructor for the past five years at IU’s pre-college Young Pianist program, where I provide private

lessons for ages 3-18, preparing students for competitions, music festivals, and university- and college- entrance

auditions.

I have completed my doctoral minor in Music Education, concentrating on both college-level and

elementary/early childhood-level teaching. My coursework has covered a wide range of topics in both

applications of piano and music pedagogy, and the philosophies of Music Education in the US and Europe. My

project on developing a handbook for the piano literature course for undergraduate students received much

positive recognition from the department. I am committed to an interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and

teaching – presenting music in larger historical, social and intellectual contexts.

My performance experience includes solo recitals in the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. I am an

active chamber musician as well as a collaborative pianist– my Amaryllis Trio in London received the highest

grade in the Royal Overseas League Chamber Competition, and I regularly collaborate with both instrumentalists

and vocalists at Indiana University. I have performed in a wide variety of community settings, such as nursing

homes, community music schools and high schools, and I am committed to both reaching new audiences and to

recruiting new students. Although I am comfortable performing the traditional repertoire, I am committed to

performing contemporary music, and have premiered works written by student, as well as faculty composers.

On a personal note, while growing up in Ohio, one of my first summer music camp experiences took place at the

Bowling Green State University’s summer piano camp where I studied with Distinguished Teaching Professor

Virginia Marks. The prospect of teaching at one of the schools where I had some of my best formative training

would be a special honor and would feel like a homecoming.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this position with you in the weeks to come. In the meantime, I am

enclosing my Curriculum Vitae; letters of recommendation will arrive under separate cover. If you require any

additional materials or information, I would be happy to supply it. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Kazuha Nakahara Hdts. Tips for Cover Letters 6/07