Navigating Fine and Navigating Fine and Performing Arts Performing Arts

AdmissionsAdmissionsA Guide for CounselorsA Guide for Counselors

►Katherine ShieldsKatherine Shields Director of Admission, Westminster Director of Admission, Westminster

College of the Arts of Rider UniversityCollege of the Arts of Rider University► James ShortJames Short

Director of Admission, Boyer College of Director of Admission, Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple UniversityMusic and Dance at Temple University

OverviewOverview► Preparedness for studying music, Preparedness for studying music,

theater, music theater or dancetheater, music theater or dance► Careers in the Performing ArtsCareers in the Performing Arts►Different types of degrees in the Different types of degrees in the

performing artsperforming arts►Different types of schools in the Different types of schools in the

performing artsperforming arts► The Finer PointsThe Finer Points

AuditionsAuditions► ResourcesResources► Contact informationContact information

Careers in Music and Careers in Music and Performing ArtsPerforming Arts

►Dance – performer, instructor, dance studio Dance – performer, instructor, dance studio owner, dance administrator, dance therapistowner, dance administrator, dance therapist

►Music – performer, music educator, music Music – performer, music educator, music administrator, music therapist, recording administrator, music therapist, recording engineer, music producer, conductorengineer, music producer, conductor

► Theater – performer, theater educator, Theater – performer, theater educator, theater administrator, technician, director, theater administrator, technician, director, producer, managerproducer, manager

Degrees in Music and Degrees in Music and Performing ArtsPerforming Arts

► Bachelor of Arts (BA): liberal arts degree Bachelor of Arts (BA): liberal arts degree with an emphasis or concentration in an arts with an emphasis or concentration in an arts discipline (Music, Theater, Dance, etc.), discipline (Music, Theater, Dance, etc.), auditions may be requiredauditions may be required

► Bachelor of Music (BM): most of the course Bachelor of Music (BM): most of the course work is dedicated to music, auditions work is dedicated to music, auditions requiredrequired

► Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): dance, music Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): dance, music theater, theater, auditions requiredtheater, theater, auditions required

Types of SchoolsTypes of Schools► UniversityUniversity

Vary greatly in size (Westminster College of the Vary greatly in size (Westminster College of the Arts of Rider University, Arts of Rider University, Temple University, Temple University, Boyer College of Music and Dance)Boyer College of Music and Dance)

Offer many different majors and all degree types: Offer many different majors and all degree types: BA, BM, BFA, BS (Bachelor of Science); may or BA, BM, BFA, BS (Bachelor of Science); may or may not require an audition or portfolio reviewmay not require an audition or portfolio review

A more traditional college experienceA more traditional college experience Double majors are offered, dual degrees are also Double majors are offered, dual degrees are also

offeredoffered For admission, auditions and academics more For admission, auditions and academics more

equally balancedequally balanced

Types of SchoolsTypes of Schools►ConservatoryConservatory

Smaller in sizeSmaller in size May be part of a larger college or university May be part of a larger college or university

(Eastman School of Music, Peabody Institute)(Eastman School of Music, Peabody Institute) Bachelor of Music degree, although some Bachelor of Music degree, although some

may offer other degrees or majors such as may offer other degrees or majors such as dance, theater, or music education (Boston dance, theater, or music education (Boston Conservatory)Conservatory)

For admission the majority of the decision is For admission the majority of the decision is based on the auditionbased on the audition

The Finer PointsThe Finer Points►MusicMusic

The student should be certain that what they are The student should be certain that what they are preparing meets the college’s audition requirement. preparing meets the college’s audition requirement. They can ask a college representative for feedback They can ask a college representative for feedback on the selections if they are unsure.on the selections if they are unsure.

Get a couple of lessons from a private teacher in Get a couple of lessons from a private teacher in their area before they audition if they don’t already their area before they audition if they don’t already have a private teacher.have a private teacher.

Record (video) themselves so they can see how they Record (video) themselves so they can see how they look to others and perform in front of their friends look to others and perform in front of their friends and family to get a idea of how it feels to perform in and family to get a idea of how it feels to perform in front of a group.front of a group.

Wear appropriate clothing and practice in it – even Wear appropriate clothing and practice in it – even the shoes – to make sure they are comfortablethe shoes – to make sure they are comfortable

The Music AuditionThe Music Audition► Usually about 10 minutes longUsually about 10 minutes long► Performance Hall, classroom, faculty studioPerformance Hall, classroom, faculty studio

Locations will vary depending on the schoolLocations will vary depending on the school► 1 - ? Faculty members hear the auditions1 - ? Faculty members hear the auditions

Auditions are usually closed, meaning that only Auditions are usually closed, meaning that only the faculty hear the auditions. Parents, teachers, the faculty hear the auditions. Parents, teachers, friends, etc. are friends, etc. are stronglystrongly discouraged to listening discouraged to listening in on the auditions.in on the auditions.

► Accompanists may or may not be providedAccompanists may or may not be provided Students should check in advanceStudents should check in advance There may be a fee for the audition and/or the There may be a fee for the audition and/or the

accompanistaccompanist

The Music AuditionThe Music Audition►What will happen in the room:What will happen in the room:

Audition repertoire varies from school to school so Audition repertoire varies from school to school so students should check the requirements carefully and students should check the requirements carefully and should have their repertoire list prepared in advance or should have their repertoire list prepared in advance or clearly and correctly written on the audition form.clearly and correctly written on the audition form.

The student will usually get to choose the first piece.The student will usually get to choose the first piece. The faculty will probably choose at least one other The faculty will probably choose at least one other

piece, maybe more than one, from the list of prepared piece, maybe more than one, from the list of prepared repertoire.repertoire.

The student should be prepared to be interrupted, but The student should be prepared to be interrupted, but not to read anything into being interrupted.not to read anything into being interrupted.

The faulty will probably ask the student some The faulty will probably ask the student some questions.questions.

There may be additional requirements: music theory There may be additional requirements: music theory assessment, sight reading, piano skillsassessment, sight reading, piano skills

The Finer PointsThe Finer Points► Music Theater and TheaterMusic Theater and Theater

Music Theater auditions usually consist of three Music Theater auditions usually consist of three components: singing, acting and dancecomponents: singing, acting and dance

The monologue selection should be close to their The monologue selection should be close to their theatrical age range and a character type they can theatrical age range and a character type they can play convincingly. play convincingly.

They should avoid pieces written in dialect. The They should avoid pieces written in dialect. The faculty want to hear them expressing themselves faculty want to hear them expressing themselves in their own voice.in their own voice.

They can use a chair as needed, but They can use a chair as needed, but should notshould not use props or costumes.use props or costumes.

If students choose a monologue from a monologue If students choose a monologue from a monologue book (which is discouraged) they should also read book (which is discouraged) they should also read and be familiar with the entire play. They may be and be familiar with the entire play. They may be asked questions about character, plot, etc.asked questions about character, plot, etc.

The Finer PointsThe Finer Points►Music Theater and Theater cont.Music Theater and Theater cont.

For the dance audition, they should bring a change For the dance audition, they should bring a change of clothes that is comfortable and allows them to of clothes that is comfortable and allows them to move, but is not too bulky. Bring character shoes move, but is not too bulky. Bring character shoes or jazz shoes or something with a soft sole.or jazz shoes or something with a soft sole.

Avoid overly familiar songs, or something from the Avoid overly familiar songs, or something from the current Broadway hit, or pieces that are associated current Broadway hit, or pieces that are associated with particular artistswith particular artists

Bring the music organized in the correct key with Bring the music organized in the correct key with cuts or repeats marked. A binder is especially cuts or repeats marked. A binder is especially helpful to the accompanist.helpful to the accompanist.

The Finer PointsThe Finer Points►DanceDance

Professors look for coordination, technique, Professors look for coordination, technique, rhythm, degree of movement, and body rhythm, degree of movement, and body structure. The dance faculty members also structure. The dance faculty members also assess the student’s ability to learn and their assess the student’s ability to learn and their potential to complete the curriculum. potential to complete the curriculum.

Dance programs vary, so check with the Dance programs vary, so check with the college for specific information. college for specific information.

The dance audition may be a whole day The dance audition may be a whole day event. Students should plan to be there for event. Students should plan to be there for the day.the day.

They should get plenty of rest, eat breakfast, They should get plenty of rest, eat breakfast, and stay hydrated.and stay hydrated.

A few more tips to shareA few more tips to share►Audition and Interview BasicsAudition and Interview Basics

Students should be on time – or better yet, be Students should be on time – or better yet, be a few minutes early.a few minutes early.

They should look their best. Remember that They should look their best. Remember that they only get one chance at a first they only get one chance at a first impression.impression.

They should be ready to answer questions They should be ready to answer questions about themselves and their aspirations.about themselves and their aspirations.

They should also be ready to ask questions. They should also be ready to ask questions. Impress the faculty by showing that they Impress the faculty by showing that they have done research on the school or program.have done research on the school or program.

ResourcesResources►Music, Drama, or Dance Teachers in your schoolMusic, Drama, or Dance Teachers in your school► College or University guidesCollege or University guides

College Board – www.collegeboard.comCollege Board – www.collegeboard.com Peterson’s Guide – www.petersons.comPeterson’s Guide – www.petersons.com

►Peterson’s has a guide specifically for Fine and Performing Peterson’s has a guide specifically for Fine and Performing ArtsArts

►NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs – NACAC Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs – www.nacacnet.orgwww.nacacnet.org

► College or University web sitesCollege or University web sites www.rider.edu/westminsterwww.rider.edu/westminster www.temple.edu/boyerwww.temple.edu/boyer

Contact us…Contact us…

►Katherine ShieldsKatherine Shields kshields@rider.edukshields@rider.edu

►James ShortJames Short jshort@temple.edujshort@temple.edu