Vocal Music Audition

Vocal Music Audition Information

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Vocal Music auditions for the 2010-2011 school year will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday, January 6, 2010  by appointment, 3:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday, January 9, 2010 by appointment, 8:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 by appointment, 3:30pm-7:30pm

You must schedule a specific time slot at the mandatory pre-audition workshop 6pm Wednesday, December 9, 2008 in the Schomp Theater

On-line applications are due no later than November 24th.

There is a TWO-PART audition in Vocal Music.

PART 1: You will participate in a 30-minute audition class in which you will have the opportunity to warm up your bodies and voices with all of the students who are auditioning for Vocal Music. We will practice singing the major scale and both of the songs America the Beautiful and My Country ‘tis of Thee with the rest of the students. You will also learn some rhythm exercises in which you will perform later in the day.

For Saturday auditions, you will be either assigned to an 8:00 am OR a 1:00 pm audition Class. For Weeknight auditions, you will be assigned to a 3:30 pm audition class.  It is important that you attend the Audition Class in which you assigned.

PART 2: Later that morning or afternoon, you will come to a pre-scheduled individual interview and audition. At this time, you will be asked to sing a two-to-three minute, memorized solo of your choice. There are no musical style restrictions. Instrumental accompaniments are not required, yet allowed. You may bring your own accompanist or accompaniment tape/CD OR you may sing without instrumental accompaniment. Singing along with a solo recording artist is not permitted.
You will also be asked to perform the following:
     1. Demonstrate a rhythmic exercise on a sung neutral syllable (e.g., ta, ba, etc.)
     2. Sing an ascending and descending major scale using solfege syllables (do, re, mi, etc.) or on a neutral syllable (la, etc.)
     3. Sing your choice of America, the Beautiful OR My Country 'Tis of Thee
IMPORTANT NOTES:

1.  The above information will be covered more completely at the MANDATORY Vocal Music Pre-Audition Workshop held on 6pm Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

2.  During your audition, you will also be asked a variety of questions by the panel based on information from your resumé and essay. Answer them honestly and clearly.

3.  The entire audition process COULD take up to four hours, depending on your scheduled times. Please be WELL-DRESSED and EARLY. Latecomers will not be admitted, unless approved by a DSA administrator.
REQUIRED MATERIALS

Please have packets organized before coming to your auditions (no folders, or page protectors.). Use staples and paper clips only. Each packet should include one of the following items except for the head shot, we only want one current headshot.  These materials will NOT be returned. Do not staple the headshot to the packet.

     1. HEADSHOT -- 8” X 10” color or black & white photo is preferred, but 5” X 7” is acceptable. We want to remember your face when making final decisions! Only ONE current photo is required.

     2. RESUME -- List items in your categories chronologically from most current to previous. Categories should include, but are not limited to the following: EDUCATION; MUSICAL TRAINING; PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE; MUSIC TEACHERS OR REFERENCES; HOBBIES & INTERESTS. Limit your resumé to no more than 2 pages. Bring THREE copies of your resumé.

     3. ESSAY -- Write a one-page essay entitled Why I want to attend Denver School of the Arts. Please give some reasons as to why you also chose to audition for Vocal Music. Use your best grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Essay should be typed by you. Bring THREE copies of your essay.

     4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION --
           Request the FIRST letter of recommendation from a voice teacher or choral director which addresses the following:
           a. VOCAL TALENT
           b. DEDICATION
           c. MUSICAL GROWTH (give specific examples)
           d. MUSICAL CHALLENGES (give specific examples)
           Request the SECOND letter from an academic teacher or community leader which addresses the following:
           a. WORK ETHIC
           b. CHARACTER
           c. LEADERSHIP (give specific examples)
           d. PERSONAL OR SOCIAL CHALLENGES (give specific examples)

Letters will NOT be accepted from relatives or personal friends.

Please BRING THREE copies of EACH letter to your audition.  DO NOT MAIL THESE LETTERS TO THE SCHOOL PRIOR TO YOUR AUDITION.

Address your letters to the attention of:
Mr. Scott Shively and Mr. Robert Styron
Directors of Vocal Music
Denver School of the Arts
7111 Montview Blvd.
Denver, CO  80220
IMPORTANT NOTES

1. You must participate in both group and individual auditions and must have the required materials to be given primary consideration for an opening in the vocal music department.

2. Appointment times are scheduled exclusively at the required Vocal Music Pre-Audition Workshop on 6pm Wednesday, December 9, 2009. More information available in the audition brochure which can be downloaded off the DSA home page.

3.  We receive over a hundred applications for approximately twenty-five openings. It is important to read and understand all instructions.
Frequently asked questions regarding
the Vocal Music Audition:
Q: What style of music should be performed at the audition?
A: Any style is acceptable, however, we are listening for a clearly projected vocal tone quality which demonstrates range, flexibility, musicality, expression, and potential.
Q: Will an accompanist be provided?
A: You are encouraged to bring your own accompanist or accompaniment tape/CD. However, if sheet music is provided, there will be someone from the audition panel who will play the piano for you. A cappella singing is also allowed but not advised. Caution: Burned CDs sometimes do not play on some of our stereo equipment. You may want to bring your own equipment.
Q: How long will the audition process take?
A: The Audition Class will take approximately 30 minutes (8-8:30 am OR 1-1:30 pm on the Saturday or 3:30 on Wednesday). The time of your individual audition will determine how long you will be at your audition site. You could be here anywhere between 90 minutes and 4 hours. Please be at least 20 minutes early for both parts of your audition.
Q: Does the difficulty of the song influence the panel of auditioners?
A: No. The preparation, musicality, and presentation of the applicant is foremost in their eyes.
Q: Is the audition performed in front of an audience?
A: No, however the auditions are heard by the Directors of Vocal Music at DSA, selected Vocal Music students, and two voice specialists from the Rocky Mountain area.
Q: How long should I have studied music before my audition?
A: Your acceptance into DSA is not based on whether or not you read music. We are listening for talent, passion, and teachability.
Q: What is the audition panel looking for in an applicant?
A: Talent, Musicality, Presentation, Preparation, Teachability, Positive energy, and Originality.
Q: May parents accompany their children to the audition?
A: Yes. We ask them to wait in the hallway or lunchroom while their children are auditioning. Some parents are glad that they brought a book while they are waiting. You may want to take a self-guided tour of the school if you have multiple hours of waiting.
Q: May students audition for more than one art area?
A: No. Due to the high volume of applicants to DSA, we are only able to conduct auditions in one area. If you are not accepted during the first round, you may re-apply to another area via their waitlist. You may or may not be called for an audition prior to the next school year.
Q: Whom may I contact for further questions?
A: Someone in the main office will be happy to answer or clarify any of your concerns. If they cannot answer your questions, they will find out. Please do NOT directly contact the Directors of Vocal Music, as we strive to remain in a neutral and unbiased role throughout the audition process.