Printable Audition Requirements
We are thrilled you are auditioning for The Chicago Academy for the Arts. Please remember: our number one goal is for you to be successful. That means that when you have questions, please ask them! You can email Department Chair Rachel Brown, at any time for more clarification.
Preliminary Audition Requirements:
Applicants must create an Online Application to submit their preliminary audition.
1. Student Introduction Video: (30 seconds - 1 minute)
Name, Grade, Current School.
Why are you applying to The Chicago Academy for the Arts?
Brief explanation of previous artistic experience.
2. Performance Videos: (1 minute each)
Applicants must submit two performance videos on their primary instrument/voice. The repertoire selected must be in contrasting styles. Details for your specific instrument/voice are below.
3. Optional: Students interested in digital production, sound engineering, or composition may submit additional materials for consideration. Examples of these materials are below.
Live Audition Requirements:
Applicants who pass their preliminary audition are invited to attend a live audition. The music audition consists of the following tasks completed on the candidate’s primary instrument or voice:
Scales, arpeggios, and/or vocalizations as appropriate to the candidate’s instrument/voice and level.
Applicants will perform the same two pieces/songs that were submitted for their preliminary audition.
Sight reading.
The audition will be followed by a short interview with Academy music faculty. This is a relaxed conversation aimed at gaining insight into the student’s background, motivation, and potential for successful study and growth in the music program.
**Opportunities exist for study and performance on secondary (non major) instruments. However, for audition purposes students should be prepared to audition on their major instrument only. A discussion of any secondary instrument(s) is welcomed during the audition interview.**
Requirements by Instrument:
Woodwinds
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Brass
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Percussion
Applicants must perform in two contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: Perform various drum set grooves:
jazz/swing in 4/4 and 3/4 at slow, medium, and fast tempos
bossa nova
straight eighths
Option 2: Perform a level-appropriate snare drum piece and/or rudiments
Option 3: Perform a level-appropriate vibraphone, marimba, or xylophone piece (highly recommended for incoming juniors)
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Piano
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please plan to comp the changes and/or improvise on the jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone. Please view this downloadable list for repertoire suggestions and guidance.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Harp
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Guitar
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please plan to comp the changes and/or improvise on the jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Violin
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone. Please view this downloadable list for repertoire suggestions and guidance.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Viola
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Cello
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please perform a transcription and/or improvise on your selected jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone. Please view this downloadable list for repertoire suggestions and guidance.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Bass
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please plan to walk the bass line and/or improvise on the jazz standard.
Option 2: One piece or etude from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Voice
Applicants must perform two selections in contrasting styles. Choose two options from the three listed below:
Option 1: One jazz standard demonstrating your skill level and experience in the genre. If able, please improvise on your selected jazz standard. Please view this downloadable list for repertoire suggestions and guidance.
Option 2: One art song (or aria, if appropriate) from the standard classical repertoire demonstrating your technical level, artistic expression, and tone. Please view this downloadable list for repertoire suggestions and guidance.
Option 3: One popular music selection, either a cover song or an original song. You may perform with a pre-recorded track for this portion of the audition.
**Other repertoire may be considered. Please email the Music Department Chair, Rachel Brown, with any questions or concerns (rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org)**
Digital Production and/or Audio Engineering
Supplemental Audition Requirements (to be submitted in addition to the standard audition)
Applicants must demonstrate at least one of the following options. Please choose one or two from the items listed below:
Option 1: Demonstrate music production skills by showcasing a music production session on the student’s computer. Be prepared to perform simple tasks on request including creating new tracks, importing samples, increasing/decreasing volume, adding audio FX, etc.
Option 2: Present a recording of an original piece of music. The recording should include both digitally produced sounds and organic/acoustic sounds recorded with some type of microphone. Discuss the methods and skills used to create the composition.
Composition
Supplemental Audition Requirements (to be submitted in addition to the standard audition)
Applicants must submit two complete original compositions. Candidates must submit both a score and a recording of both works. Please submit scores electronically as PDF files. For recordings, either a live video, live audio, or MIDI rendition is acceptable.
We look forward to working with you soon! Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Rachel Brown
Music Department Chair
rbrown@chicagoartsacademy.org