The audition process consists of prepared works, a brief interview and may require sight-reading a short, appropriate passage, scales, and a Pre-Theory Exam.  While it is understood that students will have differing ability levels, all auditioning students are encouraged to try their best and prepare to the best of his or her ability.  During the performance portion of the audition, we will be listening to the overall presentation of the music, including intonation, expressiveness, articulation, overall musicality, and potential.  All students interested in the music track are encouraged to apply regardless of present skill level.

• Auditioning students will prepare and perform two (2) vocal pieces in contrasting styles.  Original selections will NOT be permitted. All arrangements shall be in piano/vocal scoring.  Fake book and lyric sheet arrangements/accompaniments will NOT be permitted.
•  Auditioning students should bring one (1) original and three (3) copies of all prepared selections for the panel of judges.  Students will not bring their own accompanist; one of the CAPAA teachers will accompany the auditioning student.  Pre-recorded musical tracks will not be permitted for use as accompaniments at auditions. 
• In addition to performing prepared pieces, auditioning students may also be required to perform various music excersises.
• Following the performance portion of the audition, all students will take part in a short interview with the judges which will focus on the student’s musical expectations, reasons for auditioning for CAPAA, and what the student hopes to gain from attending and studying at CAPAA.
• Following the short interview, all auditioning students may be required to take a written Pre-Theory Exam to determine the student’s understanding of basic music theory topics.
• We ask that auditioning students dress appropriately for your audition.
• Judges may stop an auditioning student in the middle of a piece in the interest of time.  Please do not take this negatively in any way in regard to quality of your audition.
• Please address all questions regarding vocal audition requirements to Joelle DeLuca. For general music questions, please contact Patricia Martin. 
• Soon after the deadline for the close of applications, you will be emailed access to a calendar enabling you to schedule your audition time.

•  Auditioning students will prepare and perform two (2) pieces in contrasting styles.  Prepared pieces should be in the Classical, musical theatre, popular or jazz styles.  Original selections will NOT be permitted. 
•  Auditioning students should bring one (1) original and four (4) copies of all prepared selections for the panel of judges.  
•  In addition to performing prepared pieces, auditioning students may also be required to:
  •  Perform major scales (sharps C, G, D, A, and E; flats F, Bb, Eb, Ab)- all 2 octaves except for G major for violins will be 3 octaves; 2 octave C chromatic scale
  • Sight-read 16-measure passage appropriate for your instrument.

Piano  

•  Auditioning students will prepare and perform two (2) pieces in contrasting styles.  Prepared pieces should be in the Classical, musical theatre, popular or jazz styles.  Original selections will NOT be permitted.
• Auditioning students should bring one (1) original and four (4) copies of all prepared selections for the panel of judges.  
•  In addition to performing prepared pieces, auditioning students may also be required to:
  • Perform major scales (C; sharps G, D, A, and E; flats F, Bb, Eb, Ab)- all 2 octaves each, both hands in the same direction simultaneously (auditioning student will choose one sharp or C and one flat scale to play, and then the panel will choose one sharp and one flat scale for the auditioning student to play); 2 octave C chromatic scale 
  •  Sight-read 16-measure passage appropriate for your instrument.

Bass (Electric/Upright) 

• Choose and prepare one (1) of the three (3) bass entrance pieces. 
  • For String Bass, decide between Level 1 (Etude #1), Level 2 (Etude #7), and Level 3 (Etude #17) from Simandi, “30 Etudes for the String Bass”.  
  • For electric bass, choose one (1) from the following three (3): level 1- Satin Doll by Duke Ellington (1 chorus of melody and 1 with walking bass); level 2 – Blue Monk by Thelonious Monk (1 chorus of melody and 1 with walking bass line); level 3 – Ornithology by Parker/Harris (1 chorus of melody and 1 with walking bass line).  
  • It is suggested that you strive for the appropriate level, with Level 3 being the most difficult. 
•  Auditioning students should bring one (1) original and four (4) copies of all prepared selections for the panel of judges.  
•  In addition to performing prepared pieces, auditioning students may also be required to:
  •  Perform major scales (sharps C, G, D, A, and E; flats F, Bb, Eb, Ab)- all 2 octaves; 2 octave E chromatic scale
  •  Sight-read 16-measure passage appropriate for your instrument.

 Guitar 

•  Choose and prepare one (1) piece.  
  • Level 1 – Now’s the Time by Charlie Parker (1 chorus with melody line and 1 with accompanying chords) OR Snow Flight by Andrew York; 
  • Level 2 Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma (1 chorus of melody and 1 with accompanying chords) OR Spanish Waltz by Daniel Fortea; 
  • Level 3 – How High the Moon by Morgan ‘Lewis (1 chorus of melody and 1 with accompanying chords) OR Lagrima by Francisco Tarrega.
  • It is suggested that you strive for the appropriate level, with Level 3 being the most difficult. 

Percussion 

• Auditioning students must bring own sticks/mallets to the audition.
• Students auditioning for percussion MUST prepare AT LEAST TWO of the following:
  • Drum Set – Play one chorus of time over the form of a jazz standard.  Please bring the chart with you along with FOUR copies.  You may be asked to trade fours on a blues.  You will play basic styles including swing, rock, funk, bossa nova, samba, reggae. 
  •  Snare Drum – One excerpt from a snare drum solo.  Please provide FOUR extra copies of the music.  Students may be asked to play basic rudiments including the paradiddle, flams, flam-taps, 5-stroke roll, etc.
  • Mallet Percussion – One excerpt of a mallet instrument solo (marimba, xylophone, vibraphone, etc).  Please provide FOUR copies of this music.  Students may be asked to perform major scales C, G, D, A, E, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and the C chromatic scale. 
  •  Timpani – One excerpt of a timpani solo.  You must provide FOUR copies of this music.  You must be able to tune the drums yourself.  You will be asked to play a long roll from piano to forte and back again.
• You may be asked to sight-read on at least one of your auditioning instruments.  Examples of sight-reading may include: excerpt of a big band chart, a few measures of a snare etude, a short mallet etude, a few measures of a timpani etude, etc.

 All Instrumental Performance Auditioning Students: 

•  Following the performance portion of the audition, all students will take part in a short interview with the judges which will focus on the student’s musical expectations, reasons for auditioning for CAPAA, and what the student hopes to gain from attending and studying at CAPAA.
•  Following the short interview, all auditioning students may be required to take a written Pre-Theory Exam to determine the student’s understanding of basic music theory topics.
• We ask that auditioning students dress appropriately for your audition. 
•  Judges may stop an auditioning student in the middle of a piece in the interest of time.  Please do not take this negatively in any way in regard to quality of your audition.
•  Soon after the deadline for the close of applications, you will be emailed access to a calendar enabling you to schedule your audition time.

• Those auditioning will schedule for a 15-minute timeslot using a link provided through e-mail.
• The formal audition will include:

  Acting Audition: - Two options: 

  • Actors Only - Theatre Based:
    

    • Two prepared monologues from list provided (one comedic, one dramatic)All monologues must be memorized and extremely well-rehearsed. Students should research background information on the monologues, including the plays and characters, to understand subtext of the monologue.  Make sure you know the title and author of your monologue, as you will need to introduce each piece you have chosen prior to starting the audition.
      Upon staring your audition, please introduce yourself, your monologue author/title, then take a breath and begin your monologue. (Do this for both submissions) 

  • Actor/Singers - Musical Theatre Based:
    

    • One prepared monologue from list provided submitted through video submission (one comedic or one dramatic)All monologues must be memorized and extremely well-rehearsed. Students should research background information on the monologue, including the plays and characters, to understand subtext of the monologue. Make sure you know the title and author of your monologue, as you will need to introduce the piece you have chosen prior to starting the audition. For audition, please introduce yourself, your monologue author/title, then take a breath and begin your monologue. AND...

    • One prepared musical theatre vocal audition Must be a musical theatre piece. All songs must be memorized and extremely well-rehearsed. Act out your song as if it is a performance. You must sing to a karaoke track that is in the proper key for your voice. Introduce the piece you have chosen prior to starting the audition. For audition, please introduce yourself, and the song you will be singing, then begin your track and perform.

  • All those auditioning will have a brief interview with the panel following auditions.

• Those auditioning will be recorded on video for further evaluation by the panel, and will be asked to sign, and have a parent/guardian sign a waiver prior to auditions.
• These are closed auditions for those auditioning and judges only. Parents/guardians may not enter the closed audition room to observe. 
• On the day of auditions:
  1. Please arrive 15 prior to your given timeslot to sign in.
  2. Please dress appropriately – no jeans, t-shirts – dress for an interview.
  3. Please have your signed video/photo consent release form. 

Visual Art Portfolio Review and Interview

• Students interested in being enrolled in the Visual Art program should first submit an online application.

• Using the e-mail address listed on their application the student will be contacted to schedule a date and time for a portfolio review and interview.

• Students wishing to be enrolled in the Visual Arts Program will be required to prepare and present an art portfolio.  The portfolio should contain any recent artwork created by the student including but not limited to:

  • Drawings

  • Paintings

  • Sculpture

  • Sketchbooks

*It is not necessary to frame the artwork.