2016 UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION, INTERVIEW & PORTFOLIO REVIEW GUIDELINES

MUSIC. THEATRE. DANCE.

2016 UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION, INTERVIEW & PORTFOLIO REVIEW GUIDELINES

Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory is highly competitive. Not only must students be academically admissible, they must also successfully complete and pass the mandatory audition and interview process. Audition dates are limited and may fill and close well in advance of the audition date.

All audition confirmation materials will be sent to the applicant via e-mail.

UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANT MATERIALS1. Complete the undergraduate application for admission: www.su.edu/admissions

2. Submit official transcripts. High school transcript and/or college/university transcripts from each institution attended.

3. Submit official SAT or ACT scores.

4. Submit online prescreening (if required) or audition registration.

5. Submit artistic résumé and headshot.

REGISTER FOR THE AUDITIONAfter the student has submitted the required application materials, they must register online for an audition or portfolio review. Applicants are welcome and encouraged to submit application materials and register for the prescreening/audition concurrently. However, the audition will not be confirmed until all application materials have been received.

• NOTE: Musical Theatre applicants and Vocal Performance major applicants have a

two-step audition process. See the Special Requirements Box.

• Student must register with the online Audition Form: www.su.edu/auditions. Audition registrations must be received at least two weeks prior to the audition date.

• Student must follow the Audition Guidelines as they prepare for their audition. www.su.edu/auditions

• Student must upload an artistic résumé and headshot to the online Audition Form. Professional photos are welcome, but not required. A candid shot or senior yearbook photo is fine.

• Student will receive an email confirming the audition that will provide them with information regarding arrival time and schedule for the day. Audition times are not assigned until the day of the audition.

AUDITION GUIDELINESApplicants must prepare for their audition and interview process by following these Shenandoah Conservatory Undergraduate Audition Guidelines.

In order to ensure a successful audition experience, applicants are encouraged to follow Audition Guidelines carefully, submitting all requested materials in a timely fashion.

DISTANCE AUDITIONS. Applicants who live more than 250 miles from the Shenandoah University campus have the option to complete an online audition. It is strongly recommended that students verify the distance requirement with their admissions counselor prior to submitting the online audition. Applicants must follow the audition guidelines when preparing and submitting the online audition.

The online audition is available at: www.su.edu/auditions

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

MUSICAL THEATRE & VOCAL

PERFORMANCE MAJOR APPLICANTS

Musical Theatre applicants and Vocal

Performance major applicants have a

two-step audition process:

1. Prescreening: Applicants must first submit a recorded audition for prescreening , following the appropriate audition guidelines.

• Musical Theatre & Vocal Performance major applicants must first submit a recorded audition for prescreening (see details on p. 6 for Voice & p. 7 for Musical Theatre).

• The recorded prescreening must be submitted between September 15, 2015 and January 15, 2016 through the Shenandoah Conservatory online audition link.

• No tapes, DVDs or YouTube videos will be accepted.

• Submit recorded prescreening audition along, with artistic résumé and headshot, to:

www.su.edu/auditions

• Applicants will be notified of prescreening results within three weeks of submission.

2. Live Audition and Interview: Applicants who successfully pass the recorded prescreening audition will be invited to Shenandoah to complete a live audition and interview with the faculty.

• Live auditions and interviews take place in December 2015 and January or February 2016. Live audition invitations will be extended by the Office of Admissions.

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2016 AUDITION, INTERVIEW & PORTFOLIO REVIEW DATES

PRESCREENING FOR MUSICAL THEATRE AND VOCAL PERFORMANCE MAJOR APPLICANTSOpens September 15, 2015 and runs through January 15, 2016

DANCE DAY & DANCE DIVISION AUDITIONSOctober 30, 2015 | January 29, 2016 | February 13, 2016

- Dancers spend a day on the Shenandoah campus attending dance classes, meeting with faculty and auditioning. Dancers and their families are invited to attend a Dance Concert as part of the audition day activities.

MUSIC DIVISION AUDITIONSDecember 5, 2015 | January 23, 2016 | January 30, 2016 | February 20, 2016

- Auditions for Church Music, Collaborative Piano, Composition*, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Music Performance, Music Production & Recording Technology, and Music Therapy.

* For Composition applicants only: Composition portfolios must be submitted electronically and in hard copy a minimum of two weeks before an applicant’s scheduled audition date. Refer to the Composition audition guidelines for full information regarding the contents and format of the portfolio.

THEATRE DIVISION AUDITIONSJanuary 30, 2016 | February 6, 2016 | February 20, 2016

- Auditions for Acting and Musical Theatre.

- Portfolio reviews and interviews for Theatre Design & Production with emphasis areas in Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design, Stage Management and Technical Production.

NEW YORK CITY REGIONAL THEATRE AUDITIONSJanuary 23, 2016 | January 24, 2016 - New York City Regional Auditions for Acting, Musical Theatre and Theatre Design & Production only. - Specific details and registration information available on-line at www.su.edu/auditions.

UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION FAQS• An audition day includes: curriculum sessions with faculty, information sessions for parents and students, campus tour,

theory diagnostic skills assessment and/or interview (if applicable) and, of course, the audition.

• Vocalists are required to perform with live accompaniment and must bring music to the audition. An accompanist will be provided; however, applicants are welcome to bring their own.

• Instrumentalists who wish to audition with accompaniment must bring their own accompanist.

• Jazz applicants must bring a CD of recorded accompaniment for the jazz portion of their auditions.

• Admission decisions are not made until all application materials are received and the audition has been completed. Conservatory applicants must successfully pass their audition and/or interview (if applicable), and complete the theory diagnostic skills assessment, in order to be admitted.

• Notifications regarding Conservatory Awards and other finacial aid are made in March, provided the student has been admitted to the University.

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UNDERGRADUATE AUDITION GUIDELINES

DANCEAll applicants participate in a technique class (ballet, modern dance, and jazz combinations) and present a two-minute solo dance (applicant’s or teacher’s choreography; transfer students must choreograph their own solos). Music for solo should be brought on an iPod, iPad, or similar device that can be plugged into the sound system. Burned CDs are NOT recommended, although a CD player is available if this is the only option available to the applicant. Two current photographs must be provided at the audition: one in first arabesque position (side view) and a headshot.

MUSIC – CLASSICAL IDIOMMUSIC THEORY DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS ASSESSMENTAll students auditioning for music curricula must complete a music theory skills diagnostic assessment in addition to the audition. This assessment involves sight-singing, tonal memory and rhythmic skills.

BASSOONTwo contrasting etudes (from Weissenborn, Milde, Ferling, etc.) and one solo work demonstrating level of proficiency (a single movement is acceptable). Scales (major required, major and harmonic minor preferred) and sight-reading are required.

CELLOFirst movement of a standard concerto. One movement of Bach Solo Cello Suite. One Popper Etude from the High School Studies. All major/minor scales in three octaves and sight-reading are required.

CLARINETTwo contrasting concerto and/or sonata movements from the standard repertoire (e.g. Mozart, Weber, Poulenc, Saint Saëns, etc.). One etude demonstrating technical excellence. Sight-reading is required.

COMPOSITIONApplicants must submit a portfolio, electronically and in hard copy, a minimum of two weeks before an applicant’s scheduled audition date. The portfolio will be reviewed by the Composition faculty, and discussed with the applicant during an interview with the faculty on the audition day.

Composition portfolio must include:

• Complete and bound scores for 2-3 recent, representative works, accompanied by recordings.

– Arrangements will not be accepted.

– In-progress works will not be accepted.

– MIDI recordings will be accepted.

– For Decision Desk uploads, scores must be in pdf format. Do not upload Finale or Sibelius files.

• A 100-word artist statement.

• Two letters of recommendation from teachers or professionals in the field familiar with your work.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

In addition to their interview and review of their portfolio, all applicants audition in either a major instrument or voice (classical idiom). Please refer to the appropriate instrument section for detailed information regarding the audition requirements.

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DEADLINES & ADMISSIONS CALENDARAugust 2015

Applications for admission are accepted from August 25, 2015 – February 1, 2016. Complete your online application at: www.su.edu/admissions

September 2015 - February 2016

Prescreening and auditions for Undergraduate Conservatory Applicants: Conservatory applicants who wish to be considered for

financial Conservatory Awards must audition on one of the dates in October, December, January or February. January 31, 2016

Students competing for a Presidential Scholarship must have all application materials and audition requirements completed. Theatre Program applicants (Acting, Musical Theatre or Theatre Design & Production) wishing to be considered for a Presidential Scholarship must complete their live audition by February 6.

February 1, 2016Deadline for applications for all Conservatory programs of study.

February 15, 2016Priority date: Applicants should submit their FAFSA application to the Office of Financial Aid.

March 2016Financial Aid packages mailed to students who have been admitted to Shenandoah University and submitted their FAFSA paperwork to the Office of Financial Aid by February 15.

DOUBLE BASSTwo works from the standard solo literature contrasting in both tempo and style. One etude or standard orchestral excerpt. Scales and sight-reading are required.

EUPHONIUMPrepared etude and solo demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

FLUTEMajor and chromatic (minor, as known) scales required at audition, two and three octaves (where possible). Major (minor, as known) arpeggios are required at audition, two and three octaves (where possible). Perform two pieces (etudes) in contrasting styles from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary periods (e.g., Mozart and Hindemith) to demonstrate applicant's highest level of technical proficiency and artistic expression.

GUITARPerformance MajorsApplicants should prepare three pieces of contrasting styles chosen from among the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary repertoires. Applicants will be asked to play examples of their work in the technical study of scale and arpeggio exercises and/or etudes. Focus will be on the performance of the three prepared pieces; the applicant will also be asked to demonstrate sight-reading skills.

Composition, Music Education, Music Production & Recording Technology, and Music Therapy MajorsApplicants should prepare three pieces. Although music from the classical guitar repertoire is preferred (see the Performance Major audition description), the inclusion of popular music selections featuring finger-style playing techniques is also acceptable. Applicants will be asked to demostrate sight-reading & knowledge of scale and arpeggio patterns. Sight-reading is required.

HARPTwo solos from contrasting periods (classical and modern) and one orchestral excerpt. Two scales and arpeggios of choice and sight-reading are required.

HORNFirst movement of a Horn Concerto by Mozart, Richard Strauss or Franz Strauss, or an equivalent piece from the standard horn solo repertoire. One additional solo or etude of your choice. All Major scales two octaves, as possible, and sight-reading, are required.

OBOEMajor and minor scales. W. Ferling studies, one slow and one fast. Solo concert (e.g., Marcello, Mozart, Haydn) or similar sonata, two contrasting movements. Sight-reading is required.

ORGANPiano performance of a Two-Part Invention (Bach) or a movement of a classical sonata. Organ performance of one of the Eight Little Preludes and Fugues (Bach) and a Romantic or 20th century selection. Major and minor scales.

Church Music applicants must also perform sight-reading of accompaniments and sight-reading of a simple tune. Choral experience is helpful.

PERCUSSIONUpper grade solo selection and/or orchestral excerpt to display applicant’s technical ability and fundamental technique. All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in all three primary percussion areas: snare drum, timpani and keyboard percussion. Major scales on mallet instrument. Sight-reading is required.

PIANO Solo Performance: A memorized program of 20 minutes

to include a work from the Baroque era, and a classical Sonata, with the remainder comprised of works from the Romantic and/or later eras.

Collaborative Piano (Accompanying): Audition repertoire should include at least 10 to 15 minutes of a major instrumental work or works (e.g., duo, trio, quartet) with piano (no orchestral transcriptions); 8-10 minutes minimum of piano/vocal art song repertoire, which may include an example of operatic recitative & aria; a solo piano work or works (8-10 minutes) by memory. Applicant is responsible for obtaining support performers for the audition and is responsible for the overall quality of the performance. A demonstration of sight-reading is required as is a thorough performance knowledge of major and minor scales and arpeggios.

Musical Theatre Accompanying: A program of 20 minutes, to include one work from the Baroque era, one work from the classical era and the remainder of works from the Romantic era and/or later. The auditionee must also perform two accompaniments (contrasting in style and tempo) from the standard American musical theatre repertoire. Applicant is responsible for obtaining singers for the audition, and is responsible for the overall quality of the performance.

A demonstration of sight-reading is required.

Composition, Music Education, Music Production & Recording Technology, and Music Therapy: Major and harmonic minor scales, sight-reading. Memorized material representing three periods, such as: 1) Bach, Little Preludes, 2) Clementi, any Sonatina from Op. 36, and 3) a piece from Schumann’s Album for the Young.

SAXOPHONE (ALTO) One etude from either the Voxman Selected Studies or the W. Ferling 48 Famous Studies. Perform one of the following selections: 1) Paul Creston, Sonata for Alto Saxophone, movements 1 and/or 3; or 2) Jacque Ibert, Concerto for Alto Saxophone, movements 1 and/or 3. Sight-reading and all major and minor scales (performed on full range of the instrument at sixteenth notes = 100) required.

TROMBONE Prepared etude and solo demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

TRUMPET Prepared etude and solo demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

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TUBA Prepared etude and solo demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales and sight-reading are required.

VIOLA A concerto movement or concert solo and a contrasting work (such as an unaccompanied Bach, concert piece, sonata movement or contemporary work). Scales in three octaves are required.

VIOLIN A concerto movement or concert solo and a contrasting work (such as an unaccompanied Bach, concert piece, sonata movement or contemporary work). Etude or caprice demonstrating level of proficiency. Scales in three octaves are required.

VOICE (Applicants for the Bachelor of Music in Performance must submit a prescreening prior to receiving an invitation to attend a live audition on campus. See Special Requirements box on page 2.)

For prescreening, no recorded accompaniment is allowed; please follow the live audition guidelines, below. Note: No prescreening is required for applicants to the Composition, Music Education, Music Production and Recording Technology or Music Therapy degrees.

Two memorized songs from standard classical solo vocal repertoire, one in English and one in another language; material should be appropriate to the applicant’s voice and current musical development. Examples of standard classical vocal music in English include, but are not limited to, solo songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Roger Quilter, Aaron Copland, John Duke, Richard Hundley, Ned Rorem, and Samuel Barber as well as folk song arrangements by Benjamin Britten and John Jacob Niles.

MUSIC – JAZZ IDIOMMUSIC THEORY DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS ASSESSMENT All students auditioning for music curricula must complete a music theory skills diagnostic assessment in addition to the audition. This assessment involves sight-singing, tonal memory and rhythmic skills.

Note 1: Applied majors in the jazz idiom are available in Jazz Studies, Music Education (Jazz Emphasis), Music Production and Recording Technology (Jazz Emphasis) and Music Therapy (Jazz Emphasis).

Note 2: All applicants must provide a recorded accompaniment (such as the Jamey Aebersold series) for the jazz portion of the audition.

Note 3: Amps are provided for electric guitar and electric bass auditions.

Note 4: Drumset is provided for jazz percussion auditions.

BASS (ELECTRIC OR UPRIGHT) Two jazz standards in contrasting styles, demonstrating melody, walking, and solo improvisation. Those who play both Electric and Upright Bass should demonstrate skill on both instruments. Scales and sight-reading are required.

DRUM SET/PERCUSSION Perform one medium or up-tempo swing piece; one ballad with brushes; one contemporary jazz-fusion piece showing four-way independence; one medium/upper grade snare solo or orchestral excerpt. Play all major scales one octave on a mallet instrument. Sight-reading on drum set and snare drum.

GUITAR Perform two jazz pieces including: (1) One jazz solo ballad such as Misty or I Can’t Get Started, where the melody and chords are voiced together and (2) One jazz medium tempo selection demonstrating melody, improvisation and comping. Major scales and sight-reading of notation and chord symbols.

PIANO One memorized classical piece (e.g. Bach, Little Prelude and Fugue, Clementi, Sonatina, Schumann, Album for the Young); major and harmonic minor scales; jazz solo ballad; jazz medium tempo selection in piano trio format, demonstrating melody, improvisation and comping; sight-reading of notation and chord symbols.

SAXOPHONE Fast and slow etude (e.g. Voxman, Selected Studies or W. Ferling, 48 Etudes); two jazz standards demonstrating melody and improvisation and showing basic knowledge of jazz style through texts comparable to Niehaus, Basic Jazz Conception; major scales (in eighth notes, quarter = 80) and sight-reading are required.

TROMBONE One prepared classical solo (grade 5-6) or two classical etudes of equal difficulty; two jazz standards in contrasting styles, demonstrating melody and improvisation; major and minor (natural, harmonic, and melodic) scales; sight-reading is required.

TRUMPET One of the following: an etude (comparable to Arban characteristic study), the first or third movement of a major work for trumpet (e.g. Haydn or Hummel concerto, Hindemith, or Kennan sonata), or a complete trumpet solo (e.g. Carnival of Venice, Bride of the Waves); two jazz standards demonstrating melody and improvisation, scales and sight-reading are required.

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THEATRE

ACTINGTwo memorized monologues, one from a Shakespeare play, 20-28 lines in length; the second from a contemporary play, two minutes maximum, reflecting the applicant’s age. Bring a standard 8 x 10 headshot and résumé to the audition.

THEATRE DESIGN & PRODUCTION Emphasis areas include:

• Costume Design • Lighting Design • Scenic Design

All applicants will be interviewed by a member of the Theatre Design & Production faculty during their on campus audition visit. During the interview, the candidate will submit a resume and present a portfolio designed to appropriately represent their work and experience. Suggested portfolio contents are listed below for each area of emphasis, however applicants are encouraged to include any additional materials that represent their individualized artistic range, skills and interests including, but not limited to, theatre.

Costume Design, Lighting Design, Scenic Design and Technical Production:Include photographs of your work, drafting or design sketches, artwork, and programs. Letters of recommendation in support of the applicant are recommended.

Stage Management:Include programs and prompt books for productions for which you have served as a member of the production team. Letters of recommendation from supervisors and/or directors who can comment on your work are recommended.

MUSICAL THEATRE (See Special Requirements box on page 2.)

Recorded prescreening:

Only include the monologue and vocal (no a capella) portions of the prescreening audition. Please follow the live audition requirements as stated below when preparing the monologue and vocal selections. There is no dance requirement for the prescreening.

Applicants who successfully pass the recorded prescreening audition will be invited to campus to complete a live audition with the faculty.

On campus live audition requirements:

• Prepare 16 measures each of two song selections. One song must be chosen from the Golden Age or pre-Golden Age musical theatre catalog (see suggested repertoire below). The second selection should contrast the first but may be chosen from among the Golden Age, contemporary musical theatre, or pop/rock catalogs. (Demonstrate your strengths, not your weaknesses, rather than trying to select material that is out of your abilities just to show us wider range.)

• Prepare one monologue, one minute or less, age-appropriate and chosen from a contemporary play--George Bernard Shaw or later.

• There will be a ballet and jazz combination taught at the audition and evaluated in small groups. Dance attire or workout attire is required.

• Bring a standard 8x10 headshot and attached résumé to the audition.

Suggested Golden Age/pre-Golden Age songwriters include (but are not limited to) Rodgers and Hammerstein, Rodgers and Hart, Lerner and Loewe, Bock and Harnick, Bernstein, Loesser, Porter, Kern, and Gershwin.

INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS

Students applying to the following music programs must interview in addition to completing an audition. Interview results are used in conjunction with academic criteria, applied audition results and the music theory diagnostic skills assessment to determine admission to the program.

MUSIC EDUCATION Prospective music education majors will complete an interview with members of the music education faculty. The purpose of the interview is to assess the applicant’s oral communication skill, leadership potential, and other elements that may contribute to success in the profession. A writing exercise will be completed. Interview results are used in conjunction with academic criteria, applied audition results and aural skills diagnostic assessment results to determine admission to the program.

MUSIC THERAPY Prospective music therapy majors will complete an interview with members of the music therapy faculty. The purpose of the interview is to assess the applicant’s oral communication skill, leadership experience and potential, awareness of special needs populations, and other elements that may contribute to success in the profession. A writing exercise will be completed.

MUSIC PRODUCTION & RECORDING TECHNOLOGYProspective music production & recording technology majors will complete an interview with members of the MPRT faculty. The purpose of the interview is to assess the applicant's oral communication skill and other elements that may contribute to success in the profession.

MUSIC COMPOSITION Prospective composition majors will complete an interview with the Director of Composition to discuss the contents of the applicant's portfolio, which must be submitted two weeks prior to the audition date. In addition to portfolio review, the interview will assess the applicant’s current musical knowledge, experience, and goals, as well as the student's communication skills about their own creative work.

• Stage Management • Technical Production

1460 University Drive • Winchester, VA 22601 • www.su.edu/conservatoryOffice of Admissions • admit@su.edu

www.su.edu/auditions • 800-432-2266 • 540-665-4581

FINANCIAL AID• Undergraduate students may be eligible for financial Conservatory Awards. These awards are based on the student’s talent

as demonstrated at the audition or portfolio review, and on the student’s academic record and potential for success.

• Conservatory Awards are renewable for up to four years (eight semesters) and are reviewed annually.

• Recipients of a Conservatory Award must maintain satisfactory progress in their course of study and are also required to contribute substantially and productively toward the artistic stature of the Conservatory.

• Notification of Conservatory Awards and other Financial Aid will be sent in March, provided a student has successfully completed their audition/application process and been fully admitted to the University.

• It is strongly recommended that all new students submit a FAFSA to the Shenandoah University Office of Financial Aid by

February 15.

• For more information go to: www.su.edu/admissions

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