NSA's Audition Requirements

Dance Audition Criteria

All students should bring dance clothes or clothes that allow them to move easily. During this time the students will be asked to execute some exercises and movements from different styles of dance. These styles may include ballet, jazz, and modern. The student will be in a class setting and should not worry about level or experience. We will determine admission based upon five different elements: flexibility, coordination, rhythmic accuracy, concentration and ability to execute different styles of movement. (Please see below.)

Students will not be asked to perform a prepared dance. During these times, students will also interview and submit an on site written essay. Please come early to auditions. There will be some paperwork to fill out when you arrive. If you are late, we will not be able to evaluate all your skills.

Flexibility: the ability to demonstrate sufficient range of movement and muscle elasticity to allow for intensive physical training (shoulders, spinal vertebrae, hips, legs, ankles, and feet.)

Coordination: the ability to move one or more body parts at the same time and/or sequentially in a prescribed movement pattern.

Rhythmic Accuracy: the ability to move naturally to a specific rhythm.

Concentration/Focus: the ability to focus on the task at hand and apply an instructor's corrections.

Movement: the ability to easily or naturally execute different kinds of movements (sustained, sharp, light, heavy, etc.)

Creativity: the ability to develop movement patterns given basic parameters (levels, pathways, shapes, etc.)

Mass Media Criteria

(Television, Cinema, Journalism and Publishing)

• Students will write and essay to submit specifically detailing their interest in attending NSA to study the arts and crafts of mass media.
• Students will complete a mass media assessment/interest survey during their interview process.
• Students may submit any self-produced video, writing, or recorded oral presentation that reflects their interest in mass media.

It is recommended that a parent(s) be a part of the interview process to approve after school and weekend commitments necessary for mass media students. It is essential for mass media students to be available for taping, filming, recording, etc. during non-school hours.

Visual Arts Audition Requirements

The Visual Arts audition encompasses several areas; art production, portfolio review, written critique and personal interview.

The NSA Visual Arts Department will contact you to set up an audition time once your application is received. Please plan to stay for two hours.

Art Production:

Students will create a work from direct observation. Bring with you a pencil and eraser.

Portfolio Review:

Bring with you several of your best original works of art. Work should be no older than two years.   No cartoons or anime will be allowed.

Examples may include:

•  Still life
•  Figure drawing
•  Landscape or cityscape
•  Photography or sculpture
•  A work done in color
•  Sketchbook

Written Critique:

During the audition process, students will be asked to write a critique based on a given work of art.

Personal Interview:

Each student will be allowed the opportunity to talk with the Visual Arts Department.

Students must bring these required references:

•  Letters of recommendation from the student's art teacher(s) and guidance
•  A letter of intent written by the student
•  Any artistic awards or achievements

Theatre Audition Information

Students wishing to audition for the NSA Theatre Department should be prepared with the following:

1. Perform a memorized monologue from a published play lasting no more than 2 minutes.  An example for a male applicant is a monologue from You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown; for a female applicant, The Diary of Anne Frank.  Many other monologues would be acceptable.  We are looking at vocal clarity, character choices and memorization.

ADVICE FOR Performing a Monologue:

• Stay within the two-minute time limit.  The time will start after the introduction and will be called if the student exceeds the two-minutes. Introduce yourself and your audition monologue.  THE INTRODUCTION includes: (1) YOUR NAME (2) THE PLAY TITLE (3) THE PLAY'S AUTHOR (4) YOUR CHARACTER'S NAME
• Do not choose monologues from novels, poems and movies, or monologues you have written yourself.
• Use your natural voice; do not attempt an accent.
• Costumes and props are not recommended.
• MEMORIZE THE MONOLOGUE THOROUGHLY. 
• BE THE CHARACTER.  Talk to the other character(s) in the scene.  Place the other character(s) in front of you. Avoid turning or talking too far to the side.  Avoid the use of any actual person in the audition room as the character you are talking to.

2. Bring one letter of recommendation from a teacher or other non-family member who can comment on your work ethic, attitude, and artistic aptitude.

3. Prepare for an interview with the Theatre Faculty.  You will be asked to speak about your hobbies and interests.  

4. Dress in comfortable clothing so that you may participate in an improvised exercise.

5. Upon your arrival, you will be asked to participate in a creative writing exercise.   

Guitar Audition Criteria

One solo piece

Three major scales and arpeggios in two octaves

Sight reading piece

Choral Music Audition Requirements

The student should be prepared to:

• Sing one minute of a song of her/his choice without accompaniment (no tapes, CDs, etc.)
• Match pitch within student range
• Demonstrate clear tones on the vowels A E Ah O Ono
• If possible, sight read a simple 4 measure passage

To prepare for this, it would be helpful to be enrolled in a school chorus or private instruction.

Piano Criteria

Criteria for entering the piano program are to be able to demonstrate playing ability and level by demonstrating a piece that the student is familiar with, ability to sight read beginning level music, knowledge of basic major scales and fingering, and the desire to seriously pursue a study of the piano.

Not all criteria are required and will be determined on an individual basis. Students may also enter a beginning level course if they can show why they have chosen to study piano at this point.

Band Audition Requirements

Wind Instruments

•  Major Scales: C concert, F concert, Bb concert, Eb concert—all one octave.

•  Chromatic scale one octave.

•  Prepared musical selection. This can be a solo or band piece that best demonstrates the student's ability.

•  Sight reading. Students will be asked to play at sight music containing simple rhythms progressing to more difficult rhythms.

Percussion Instruments

•  Long roll, open and close.

•  Five strike roll open and close.

•  Nine stroke open and close.

•  Flam

•  Para diddle

•  Prepared musical selection.

•  Sight reading.

Drum Set

•  Jazz style

•  Rock/Funk style

•  Latin style

•  Solo

•  Sight reading

Orchestra Audition Requirements

Be able to play each of the following major scales: C, G, D, F, and Bb.

Any two of these scales will be randomly selected for the audition. This portion of the audition will be scored on knowledge of the scales, intonation, and tempo. Minimum tempo requirement: Quarter note=100MM. One octave is required. Two octaves are preferred.

Prepare one piece of music to perform.

This piece should be 2-4 minutes in length and should display your best abilities. Please select solo or 1 st violin pieces. This portion of the audition will be scored on tone, phrasing, technique, intonation, and dynamics.

Sight reading will be required.

The sight reading will not require shifting. This portion of the audition will be scored on accuracy of rhythm and note recognition.

2 Scales—15 pts. each

Prepared Music—50 pts.

Sight Reading —20 pts.

Total Possible Score—100 pts.

NSA Arts Instructors

(by department)

Dance: Mrs. Laurie Grantham, Mrs. Debra Perry, and Mrs. Stacey Flood-Popp

Theatre: Mrs. Kate Goodwin, Mrs. Kara Kindall, and Mr. Jon Newsom

Visual Arts: Ms. Laurie Poole and Ms. Deanna Fiorita

Media: Mr. Shan Brisendine and Mr. Jon Newsom

Music - Band: Mr. Richard Griffin

           - Choral: Mr. Michael Graham

           - Guitar: Dr. James Satterwhite

           - Orchestra: Mrs. Jennifer Painter

           - Piano: Mrs. Crystal Wells

Updated 10/2005