Applicants will read and be familiar with the program description for the Governor's School for Visual and Performing Arts. Applicants from diverse backgrounds with abilities in classical and/or commercial/jazz genres are encouraged to apply.
A. All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sight-reading exercise available on OpusEvent when the applicant registers. Additionally, applicants will be asked to respond to a question prompt about their practice on OpusEvent at the time of registration. Memorization of music is encouraged but optional. The repertoire should be set at a medium level of difficulty or higher. Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed; specifics for vocalists are outlined below. The applicant will select compositions for auditions from the standard solo repertoire for his/her instrument or voice within the following guidelines:
Woodwinds and Brass may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Etudes and exercises from your instrument’s method book are also acceptable (i.e. Klosé, Arban, Rochut, etc.) Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. In addition, applicants will be required to perform a chromatic scale over the full range of their instrument (eighth notes, MM=60; slur up, tongue down). There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
Strings may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Solos from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods are acceptable. Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
Classical/Symphonic Percussionists must present one prepared selection on a mallet instrument and one on the snare drum.
Additionally, perform Eb major, A major, and Db major scales (eighth notes, MM = 60,
2 octaves). There will be sight reading exercises for snare drums and mallets.
In addition to the classical/symphonic audition, percussionists who can perform the
commercial/jazz audition requirements are encouraged.
Commercial/Jazz Percussionists must perform all the following grooves on a drum set: rock, funk, swing, jazz waltz, and a one-minute improvised drum solo. Videos of the grooves should be at most five minutes long. In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, percussionists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged.
Classical Guitarists (acoustic) and Harpists should select two (2) contrasting pieces from two
different style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st Century, or original
composition). There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
Guitarists: You will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale
in rest stroke (eighth-two-sixteenth pattern - )
In addition to the classical audition, guitarists who can perform the classical/symphonic
audition requirements are encouraged.
Commercial/Jazz Guitarists (electric guitar and bass) should prepare two jazz standards of
contrasting styles and plan to improvise at least one chorus on each selection. Sight-reading
of a
standard lead sheet will also be included.
Guitarists: You will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale
in rest stroke
(eighth-two-sixteenth pattern – )
In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, Pianists and Guitarists who can perform
the
classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged to do so.
Pianists should prepare two (2) contrasting pieces from memory in different styles.
(Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Jazz, or original compositions are
acceptable). Pianists will perform sight-reading once on campus if selected.
Vocalists should select two (2) songs of contrasting style periods and moods from the Art Song
(standard recital literature), Opera, or "Broadway Show" repertoire. Applicants should
be sure that their compositions are legally used under copyright law. Numerous Websites
make available public domain art songs that can be printed freely. Three such sites
are the Choral Public Domain Library, the International Music Score Library, and Art
Song Central - Vocalists must provide their accompanists/accompaniment and should
not perform unaccompanied. The use of pre-recorded accompaniment is allowed. Applicants
will be required to sight-sing an eight-bar example, VCDA level 5.
B. Adjudication specifics
Preparations:
Recording:
Finalize:
Submission: