ABC PA Proposals

An important aspect of the American Band College is the Practical Application (PA) projects which you must design around your weak areas of study as determined by the entrance exam.

Submitting a Proposal

  • Do not create or submit any proposal until you have ENTRANCE EXAM results on June 20.
  • You will then have 5 days to design 3 Practical Application proposals based on weaknesses indicated on your entrance exam Status Report.
  • You may not submit a proposal based on weaknesses in your primary instrument area.
  • Don't panic! Model projects will be displayed in order to give you ideas.
  • If you need help, ask one of the staff or a returning student.
  • Make sure that you include as many details as possible. "Switching from bagpipes to bassoon" is not enough.
  • Be sure to SAVE YOUR WORK OFTEN as you enter each practical application proposal. Every 5 minutes is recommended; if your session times out, you lose your work since the last save.
  • Be creative and think outside of the box.
  • Make sure that you include as many details as possible. "Switching from bagpipes to bassoon" is not enough. How are you going to do that? (Book, website, game, software, etc.)
  • Deadline for first year candidate proposals is midnight June 25.

Revisions

  • The most common reason for a proposal not being approved is due to lack of detail. Make sure that we don't have to guess what you want to do.
  • Be aware that ONCE YOU SUBMIT a practical application proposal to the faculty, you will not be able to edit or change it until the faculty does all assessments on June 28 and 29.
  • If you are revising a proposal any time after July 1, it will not be acted upon until July 15.
  • Revisions submitted during the year, will be handled as soon as feasible (depending on the timeframe). Generally, expect an answer within 7 days.
  • We DO NOT accept any PA proposals or revisions via email, hardcopy, or phone.