Hi George.
I'm also finishing my first year of a master's program and plan on applying for fall of 2014. Although there is still some time to build on the CV, I've been able to get a few publications in professional journals and two conference presentations this spring. Aside from that, I think finding professor(s) with similar interests is immensely important in choosing the schools you apply to. I, like you, plan on applying to an Ivy (Harvard) and match up with several of the faculty members there (I'm focused on 20th/21st cent. music, modernism, etc.).
At least in my experience from the previous application season, which I unfortunately went into with little guidance, I get the sense that your GPA is the lowest bar that will basically get your application looked at (so it needs to be solid!) and where you did your undergraduate is probably of little to no importance. I personally went to an "unexposed" school for undergrad and had a bit of complex about it during the last app season. I'd like to think that it isn't a huge deal, particularly considering that where you do the master's degree is far more relevant and topical. GRE scores also appear to be hit or miss depending on the school, although it seems verbal/writing is the only thing that might be looked at. The writing samples are of paramount importance, along with the SOP and recommendations, so cultivating your personal writing style and relationships with professors is crucial.
Ultimately, I think the admission committees want to see a master's student that has demonstrated an ability to conduct quality research and has at least some experience presenting that research at a conference. Anything you can do in the publications/conference aspect of your CV would be immensely beneficial. There is still plenty of time to apply for those and the networking is great!
I'm actually curious if anyone here is studying at UC Berkeley currently. I would love to work with Richard Taruskin, but I'm worried he may retire soon!
