Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts

• Elementary Students
• Middle & High School Students
• Visual Arts
• Vocal Music
• Instrumental Music
• Theatre
• Dance

All students will come to their audition, regardless of grade level, with a student information sheet. This information sheet will contain details regarding their experience thus far in their artistic area of interest. This may include a professional head shot if they have one, in addition to listing the types of performances, roles held, titles of compositions performed, and for visual artists the types of medium in which they are experienced.

Audition Process:

1. Student interest (interview)
2. Performance (audition for performing arts) or portfolio review (for visual arts)
3. Recommendation (2 letters of recommendation from previous teachers)

Elementary School (grades 3-6) will audition in three areas: music (vocal), dance and theatre. At the conclusion of the auditions a panel of instructors will evaluate the students. Students will be notified within two weeks of their audition results. The following will be expected in the auditioned areas:

Music – Students will be vocalized to determine whether or not they have the basic ability to match pitch. In addition, they will be vocalized in order to determine vocal range. Vocal quality will also be taken into consideration. Students will be expected to sing a prepared song, which demonstrates the singer’s best musical attributes. If a song is not prepared, applicants will sing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.

Dance – students will come to the audition with proper attire: leotard, tights, and ballet slippers. They will participate in a dance class, which will teach them basic ballet moves. Their ability to follow directions and to execute will be observed. Evaluation criteria will include:

• Coordination
• Body alignment
• Dance technique
• Performance Skills

• Energy
• Acting instinct
• Emotional, physical, and vocal freedom
• Ability to communicate the circumstances of a scene
• Ability to communicate moment-to-moment reality

These monologues should be chosen from sources designated by the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Theatre Department. Click here for a list of resources.

Middle & High School Student Information Sheet:

All students will come to their audition, regardless of grade level, with a student information sheet. This information sheet will contain details regarding their experience thus far in their artistic area of interest. This may include a professional head shot if they have one, in addition to listing the types of performances, roles held, titles of compositions performed, and for visual artists they types of medium in which they are experienced.

Audition Process:

1. Student interest (interview)
2. Performance (audition for performing arts) or portfolio review (for visual arts)
3. Recommendation (2 letters of recommendation from previous teachers)

Middle School and High School (grades 7-12) will audition in a minimum of two areas. At the conclusion of the audition, a panel of instructors will evaluate the students. Students will be notified within two weeks of their audition results.

Visual Arts:

Middle School (7^th and 8^th grade) students should present a portfolio containing the following:

• A minimum of 5 drawings/paintings indicating the applicant’s ability to draw based on observation (not from photographs but from actual subjects – i.e., still lifes, portraits, etc.)
• In addition, applicants may also include photographs of original sculptures/3 dimensional works. Photographs should be in color.
• All art works should be either matted or mounted.
• All works should include LABELS: “Done under supervision” (in a class or with a teacher) “Done without supervision” (done completely independently), and “From observation” or “From imagination”.

High School (9^th and 10^th grade) students should present a portfolio containing the following: (works cannot be those which have been previously submitted to Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts)

• A minimum of 8 drawings/paintings indicating the applicant’s ability to draw based on observation (not from photographs but from actual subjects – i.e., still lifes, portraits, etc.)
• In addition, applicants may also include photographs of original sculptures/3 dimensional works. Photographs should be in color.
• All art works should be either matted or mounted.
• All works should include LABELS: “Done under supervision” (in a class or with a teacher) “Done without supervision” (done completely independently), and “From observation” or “From imagination”.

Students will also be required to take an exam in which they are required to demonstrate the following skills:

• Illustrate, using a medium of their choice, a topic that they are given (Example: Hot Day at the Beach; Winter on the Farm, etc.)
• Draw a still life. The test administrator will set a time limit for this portion of the exam.

High School (11^th and 12^th grade) students should present a portfolio containing the following: (works cannot be those which have been previously submitted to Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts)

• A minimum of 10 drawings/paintings indicating the applicant’s ability to draw based on observation (not from photographs but from actual subjects – i.e., still lifes, portraits, etc.). Included should be examples of at least three different mediums (watercolor, pen and ink, oils, acrylics, etc.).
• In addition, applicants may also include photographs of original sculptures/3 dimensional works. Photographs should be in color.
• All art works should be either matted or mounted.
• All works should include LABELS: “Done under supervision” (in a class or with a teacher) “Done without supervision” (done completely independently), and “From observation” or “From imagination”.

Students will also be required to take an exam in which they are required to demonstrate the following skills:

• Illustrate, using a medium of their choice, a topic that they are given (Example: Hot Day at the Beach; Winter on the Farm, etc.)
• Draw a still life from memory – pencil. The still life will be displayed for students taking the exam for a short period of 10 minutes. During that time, students may examine the still life from any angle they wish, and may observe close up for any details they may wish to include in their drawing. After the observation time has expired, the still life will be removed and the student will draw the still life from memory. The test administrator will set a time limit for this portion of the exam.
• Draw a live model – pencil. The test administrator will set a time limit for this portion of the exam.
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Vocal Music:

Middle School (7^{th 8th} and 9^th grade) students should be prepared to perform the following:

• A prepared song, to be sung from memory, which demonstrates the singer’s best musical attributes. This piece should be of a classical nature, although musical theatre selections may also be used. (No gospel, pop, or rap)
• The student will be asked to sing vocalizes to determine vocal range, ability to match pitch and tune intervals.

Students should bring two copies of the song they are singing. One copy will be used by the judge, and the other will be used by the accompanist. An accompanist will be provided; CD accompaniment will not be permitted.

High School (10^th 11^th and 12^th grade) students should be prepared to perform the following:

• Two prepared songs, to be sung from memory, which demonstrates the singer’s best musical attributes. One selection may be in English, while the other must be in Italian, French or German. This selection should be from the Class I, II or III University Interscholastic League Prescribed Music List, or a comparable selection.
• The student will be asked to sing vocalizes to determine vocal range, ability to match pitch and tune intervals.

Students should bring two copies of the song(s) they are singing. One copy will be used by the judge, and the other will be used by the accompanist. An accompanist will be provided; CD accompaniment will not be permitted.

Instrumental Music:

Middle School (7^th 8^th and 9^th grade) students should be prepared to perform the following:

• One selection which demonstrates technique appropriate for the number of years of experience on the instrument. This selection should be from the Class II or III University Interscholastic League Prescribed Music List, or a comparable selection.
• Student should be able to demonstrate technique through the performance of major scales up to 5 flats and 5 sharps.
• Student should be able to demonstrate technique and range through the performance of the chromatic scale.
• Students will be asked to sight read.

Students should bring a copy of their prepared selection for the judge’s use. If an accompanist is needed, one will be provided, or the student may use his or her own or bring a tape or cd.

High School (10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade) students should be prepared to perform the following:

• One selection, which demonstrates technique appropriate for the number of years of experience on the instrument. This selection should be from the Class I or II University Interscholastic League Prescribed Music List, or a comparable selection.
• In addition to the solo selection listed above, the student should prepare an etude, comparable to the TMEA All-State audition material.
• Student should be able to demonstrate technique through the performance of major scales in all 12 keys.
• Student should be able to demonstrate technique and range through the performance of the chromatic scale, utilizing the full range of the instrument.
• Students will be asked to sight read.

Theatre:

Middle School (7^th and 8^th grade) students should be prepared to do the following:

• Students should prepare a monologue of no more than two minutes. These monologues should be chosen from sources designated by the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Theatre Department. Click here for a list of resources.
• Students will be asked to do a cold reading.
• Students will answer questions in an interview.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Energy
• Acting instinct
• Emotional, physical, and vocal freedom
• Ability to communicate the circumstances of a scene
• Ability to communicate moment-to-moment reality

When choosing material for these auditions, students should choose characters that are close to themselves in age. Students should avoid verse, and original material.

High School (9^th through 12^th grade) students should be prepared to do the following:

• Prepare two monologues of no more than two minutes each. One must be from a classical play (Shakespeare) and one must be from a contemporary play written after 1900. Click here for a list of resources.
• Students will be asked to do a cold reading.
• Students will answer questions in an interview.
• Students must be prepared to sing sixteen bars of a song a cappella.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Energy
• Acting instinct
• Emotional, physical, and vocal freedom
• Ability to communicate the circumstances of a scene
• Ability to communicate moment-to-moment reality

When choosing material for these auditions, students should choose characters that are close to themselves in age. Students should avoid verse, and original material.

Dance

Middle School: (grades 7-8)

• Applicants will come to the audition with proper dance attire: solid-colored leotard (girls) or t-shirt (boys), tights (girls) or form-fitting dance pants (boys), and ballet slippers. (Jazz shoes are optional.)
• They will participate in a ballet class, including barre exercises, petite allegro, and grande alegro. Applicants will also be asked to perform a variety of jazz progressions across the floor. These will include traveling steps, turns, and leaps.

A panel of instructors will evaluate the students.

Evaluation criteria will include:

• Body alignment
• Dance technique
• Musicality
• Performance skills

High School: (grades 9-12)

Applicants will come to the audition with proper dance attire:

• WOMEN – black leotard, pink or black tights (that can be rolled up for modern dance), ballet slippers, and jazz shoes. Pointe shoes are not necessary unless you need them for your audition piece.
• MEN – black tights or jazz pants, white t-shirt, ballet slippers, and jazz shoes.

Please DO NOT wear leg warmers, sweaters, or jewelry. For the modern dance portion of the audition, the applicants must be barefoot. For the jazz sections, applicants must wear jazz shoes.

Applicants will participate in a technique class including the following:

• Ballet – barre work, adagio, petite allegro, grande allegro, and turns across the floor
• Modern dance – center floor and progressions, including a variety of body isolations, turns, traveling steps, jumps, and leaps
• Jazz –progressions across the floor involving basic movements performed in classical jazz, including turns, jumps, and leaps.

AUDITION PIECE:

High School Dance applicants must also come to the audition with a self-choreographed solo in the style of ballet, jazz, or modern dance.

Music selection should be appropriate to the chosen style of dance. Classical, instrumental, or world music is preferred. Pop music that is regularly heard on the radio is unacceptable.

A panel of instructors will evaluate the students during each part of the audition.

Evaluation criteria will include:

• Talent and potential as a performer: The faculty is most interested in those students who show strong performing abilities, an openness to assimilate corrections, and a willingness to learn in the various styles.
• Level and quality of training: Although the purpose of the Academy of Fine Arts is to train dancers, we are not equipped to deal with the inexperienced student.
• Musicality