Performing Arts Audition

What to prepare:

• Be prepared to tell us about your high school band or orchestra experience and if you know how to play more than one instrument. 
• A two-octave major and minor scale of your choice. 
• A chromatic scale over the full range of your instrument. 
• Two short and contrasting etudes or a solo piece from solo and ensemble festival or as recommended by your private lesson teacher. Auditioning by memory is not required. 

If you have any questions regarding your audition, please contact the Assistant Director of Bands, Toni Myers, at myersal@alma.edu.

What to prepare:

• Two contrasting works from the standard classical repertoire. Auditioning from memory is recommended, but not required. 
• A brief biography indicating repertoire and musical experiences (i.e. competitions, camps, recitals, etc.). 

What to prepare:

• Sing one solo song suitable for inclusion in a MSVMA festival, see requirements here. 
• Students should also prepare on of the following songs: 
  • Come Again, Sweet Love (High voices) 
  • Early One Morning (Medium voices) 
  • Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Faded (Low voices)   
    *Practice videos and piano accompaniments are linked below. 
    • Come Again, Sweet Love
    • Early One Morning
    • Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Faded
• Singers may use their own accompanist or should bring music for an Alma College accompanist to play from. (A 10-minute rehearsal time will be scheduled for anyone using an Alma College pianist) 

If you have any questions regarding the audition process or requirements, please email Dr. Nicole Mattfeld at mattfeldnm@alma.edu.

You should prepare a one- to two-minute solo of your choosing that either you or your teacher has choreographed. You can dance in any style you are most comfortable with. That said, the program centers on contemporary dance technique and philosophy. If you are comfortable making a contemporary solo, this is encouraged.  If available, you can participate in a Modern Technique or Ballet Technique class. 

What to prepare:

• Present two contrasting monologues not to exceed two minutes for each selection. 
• Your choice of monologues can be from either modern or classical plays. Find a longer speech or blend several consecutive speeches of a character together. 
• A monologue should show off who you are. Choose roles in your age range that you could be cast in today. 
• Material should be thoroughly memorized and rehearsed with your theatre director if possible. 
• Be prepared to talk about your theatre experience and how you would like to be involved in theatre at Alma College. 

What to prepare:

• Prepare a portfolio or chronological record of your theatre experience. 
• Include sketches, drawings, photos and programs, along with honors or awards received for design and/or execution of sets, costumes or lights. 
• Include two letters of recommendation from people familiar with your technical skill and experience. 
• Be prepared to talk about your theatre experience and how you would like to be involved in theatre at Alma College. 

Dancers are expected to perform one full championship dance of their choosing, a 5 step hornpipe or jig, and an original choreography which includes both traditional and non-traditional elements. 

Candidates will be asked to perform the following:

• Scotland the Brave 
• Wings 
• Murdo’s Wedding 

They also need to perform for 3–5 minutes consisting of music of their choice. All music must be memorized. 

Be prepared to tell us about your high school band or orchestra experience and if you know how to play more than one percussion instrument.

Play one the following.  You may play more than one if you wish.  That said, play what you feel comfortable playing and represents you the best. Quality is more important than quantity.

• A snare drum solo.
• A two and or four-mallet solo.
• A movement of a timpani solo.
• If you play drum set, vibes or hand drums you could also include a bit of that in your audition as well.

Again, you should play whatever you are comfortable playing and represents you the best.  Quality is more important than quantity.

Auditioning by memory is not required.

Be prepared to tell us about your high school color guard experience.

Perform or submit via video of one of the following.

• You, performing live a routine(s) to a musical selection(s) of your choice.
• A short video of you performing a routine(s) to a musical selection(s) of your choice.
• A video of your high school marching band that shows the color guard. Please identify where to locate you in the video.
• If you are familiar with rifle, air blade, saber or other guard implements please demonstrate a bit on any with which you are comfortable.

Again, you should demonstrate whatever implements and guard techniques you are comfortable performing and represents you the best.  Quality is more important than quantity.

• Please submit a portfolio including 2-3 recent compositions that represent your best work to ritojb@alma.edu.
• Include score PDFs and recordings of each work. Live performances are preferred, but MIDI recordings are welcome as well. If file sizes are too large, you can use Dropbox, Google Drive, or any other file sharing service to share your portfolio.
• On your audition day, you will sit down with an Alma College faculty member for a brief discussion of your work. This will be a chance for us to discuss your background and your goals for composition study. You do not need to prepare anything for this audition aside from sending your portfolio.
• You will also be asked to audition on your main instrument or voice. Please see instrumental and vocal audition requirements for more details.