Academy of Visual and Performing Arts

Audition/Porfolio/Interview

Complete the application and forward immediately to the office of the Director of Visual and Performing Arts. All applications must be received by January 5th, 2009. Audition/portfolio interview details will be confirmed by return mail. Since there are a limited number of spots for each program, it is important that students apply as soon as possible. Applicants may audition for no more than two programs.

Auditions/portfolio interviews for the 2009 – 2010 school year will be held on January 10th, 2009 beginning at 8 AM at Red Bank Regional High School. Students will be notified within 30 days regarding the results of auditions. Auditions may continue on an individual basis in areas that still have available spots after February. Keep in mind that acceptances are on a first come first serve basis for the limited number of openings.

Tuition and transportation are the responsibility of the parents or sending school district for out of district students. Students may re-apply next year if not accepted this year.

Commercial Art

Students must submit a portfolio of 10 Pieces of original artwork only (no copies, no cartoon or comic book characters) consisting of the following:

1. One self-portrait in pencil
2. One figure drawing of a human form in pencil
3. One collage
4. One outdoor scene using pastels or colored pencils
5. One painting using (watercolor, acrylics, tempera, oil) in your choice of subject matter.
6. One Still life of fruit in chalk or oil pastels.

The additional four pieces can be of the student’s choice: more painting, more pencil sketches, computer art, pen and ink, sculpture, etc. Large sculptural pieces may be photographed.

All work should not exceed 16” x 20” excluding matting and mounting. Each piece should be cleanly presented on mat board or poster board, which can be purchased at any stationery store. Work should be mounted or matted on gray, black, or white mat board with a 2” border on all sides.

In addition to presenting the portfolio at the interview, the candidate should be prepared to discuss one well-known artist of his or her choice.

Creative Writing

Students must submit, along with their application package, a minimum of four writing samples which demonstrate their versatility and creativity in at least two of the following genres: poetry, fiction, non-fiction, journalism, playwriting, screenwriting, and essay writing. Students will be interviewed and asked to read one of their pieces, to discuss their goals in the creative writing program and other areas of interest, and to critique a piece by another writer.

Commercial Photography

Students must submit a portfolio of ten - 4” X 6” black and white photographs consisting of the following:

1. Three landscapes (pictures of any land, scenery, beach, park or around your neighborhood)
2. Four portraits (one self-portrait, one close-up, one full length and one head shot)
3. Two still life images (any objects arranged creatively)
4. One lighting project (any household lamp will do)

Black and white film (Kodak T-Max 400 or Kodak Tri-X 400) can be purchased at any photography supply store. * Photographs submitted that are deemed to be digital or digitally retouched will be eliminatedfrom the portfolio & the portfolio will not be deemed complete.

Photos should be individually mounted on either gray or black 8” x 10” mat board. Student must present their portfolio at the interview. Portfolios will not be returned until all candidates have been selected. As such, please note that upon approval or rejection you must pick up your portfolio prior to school closing at the VPA office. All portfolios that remain will be discarded upon school closing. If you’re unable to pick up your portfolio prior to school closing, please include a prepaid, self-addressed envelope based on weight with your portfolio (you can go to the post office for this service). We will mail your portfolio to you. IMPORTANT: Please have the return address read: RBRHS VPA ACADEMY, 101 Ridge Road, Little Silver, NJ 07739.

Dance

The audition, which will begin at 1:00 PM, will be approximately two hours long. Dancers will be expected to participate in a ballet class, which will include ballet barre, adagio, piroueltes, petit and grand allegro. Dancers will also learn a short jazz combination. Proper ballet attire is required. Candidates will be chosen based on the results of their performance and ability. All applicants will be notified of the results of the audition by mail.

Drama/Theatre

Students will be asked to improvise, move, and recite a Shakespearean sonnet (any library has the complete works by Shakespeare). They will also be required to present a monologue, one to two minutes long. Criteria used for judging the student’s performance are memorization, preparation, movement, articulation, diction, projection, expression and stage presence.

Piano

Students will be asked to sight-read an open score, play major scales (sharps and flats) and arpeggios. All prospective piano and vocal performance candidates will take a written music theory/history placement exam to test their previous musical knowledge. Although students will not be expected to know everything on the exam, it will include notation, musical terms, symbols, key signatures, chords, scales, form, analysis, rhythmic reading and ear training.

The history portion will include questions about composers, time periods and genres, musical styles, performance practices and terminology.

Students must perform one piece each from any two of the following major musical periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic or Twentieth Century. * Original, jazz or popular piano selections will NOT BE ACCEPTED. Students interested in piano accompaniment must perform three selections: one from the Romantic Period, one art song from a song cycle, and one choral selection.

Vocal Music

Students must sing two prepared songs of contrasting character in addition to some basic vocal exercises. Songs may be selected from various genres such as opera, lieder, oratorio, art songs, Broadway, folk songs, spirituals, standards or ballads. Students should provide their own accompanist. Unaccompanied auditions will not be accepted. If an accompanist is needed, the applicant must contact the Visual and Performing Arts department one week in advance. In the event that an RBR accompanist will be utilized, students must bring their own sheet music. Tapes or CD’s are permitted (instrumental or “music minus one” versions only). Students can also expect to be assessed on their ear training and sight singing ability.

All prospective piano and vocal performance candidates will take a written music theory / history placement exam to test their previous musical knowledge. Although students will not be expected to know everything on the exam, it may include notation, musical terms, symbols, key signatures, chords, scales, form, analysis, rhythmic reading and ear training. The history portion will include questions about composers, time periods and genres, musical styles, performance practices and terminology.