Composition
Two or three original compositions in neat manuscript form submitted with your application. At least one of these should be written by hand. In addition, we require a recording demonstrating level of proficiency on your major instrument.
Instrumental (Classical)
Two or three contrasting movements or short works. The works should include selections from at least two different musical periods (ex: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, Contemporary).
Jazz
Two contrasting pieces, with at least one of the two pieces should be composed by a jazz musician such as Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Herbie Hancock, etc.
Play the written melody once at the beginning, then improvise on the form of the tune for between 1 and 3 minutes. If you play a chord instrument (like piano or guitar) and have other jazz musicians to play with, please demonstrate your ability to accompany someone else’s solo. The composed melody should only be played one time at the beginning. If you play bass, please demonstrate walking bass lines in one piece, and another type of rhythm in another piece (such as funk, bossa nova, ballad, ostinato, or Afro-Cuban, etc.). If you play drums, please demonstrate a swing feel on one piece and another type of rhythm in another piece.
Submit a recording with a small jazz ensemble consisting of bass, drums and chord instrument (guitar or piano). If a live group is not available, then a “play along” recording is fine for accompaniment. Please use the guidelines above.
Please Note: If you have no previous small jazz ensemble experience, you may audition by playing two contrasting pieces in any style. At least one of the pieces should demonstrate your ability to play in strict metric style (no rubato, no tempo shifts).
Voice (Classical)
All classical voice applicants should submit a video audition package including a personal introduction and at least two selections. Singers should perform from memory with piano accompaniment. Pre-recorded piano accompaniment tracks played from a speaker in the same room as the singer will be accepted for the 2020–21 application year.
REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES:
- Submit two Classical Art songs from memory.
- One song should be in English
- One song should be in another language, preferably Italian (for example, songs from collections such as “24 Italian Songs and Arias”). French, German, Spanish or Latin are also welcome.
- OPTIONAL: You may include a third song of your choice. For example, Golden Age Musical Theater, or a classical song representing your native language or culture.
- Please do not submit operatic arias or contemporary pop.
- Our voice program is strongly committed to diversity of representation in our performance projects. We welcome and encourage you to include repertoire from underrepresented composers and poets (works by women, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx or People of Color, or other underrepresented groups).
- Please contact Head of Voice, Teresa Winner Blume, with any questions about your repertoire selection. Email: tblume@walnuthillarts.org
VIDEO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- Submit one short introduction video. Please say your name, age, current grade, and hometown. Please include one short statement about why you are interested in classical singing and our voice program at Walnut Hill.
- Recording with a smartphone is acceptable.
- Please ensure that the volume of your piano accompaniment does not overpower your voice. If using a speaker and a pre-recorded accompaniment track, place the speaker near you so you have as much auditory support as possible.
- Please record in landscape orientation, and try to capture from just above your head to your hands when at rest. Ensure your face is well lit and that your background is clear of clutter.
- You may not edit the recording for audio or video enhancement of any kind. We would like to hear you as naturally as possible, as if you were auditioning for us in person.
