LAGUARDIA HIGH SCHOOL (Manhattan)
OVERVIEW
Acceptance to LaGuardia Arts is based on a competitive audition and review of student records to ensure success in both the demanding studio work and the challenging academic programs. Students who are New York City residents in the 8th or 9th grade are eligible to audition. In September of the 8th or 9th grade, your child should inform his/her guidance counselor of his/her decision so that an admission ticket can be issued for the appropriate audition(s).
Students may audition for the following studios: Art, Dance, Drama, Instrumental Music, Technical Theatre, and/or Vocal Music
On average, between 600-700 students are chosen from more than 9,000 applicants. Students come from all five boroughs and reflect the diverse racial and cultural composition of New York City.
Audition Schedule
Dates are scheduled according to the borough in which your school is located, not where you live, and by the first letter of the student’s last name. All Audition ending times are approximate and vary according to the Studio. Please check the high school handbook or the school’s website for dates.
MUSIC AUDITION VOCAL & INSTRUMENTAL
PART 1: Performance Audition
- Prepare and perform one musical selection that demonstrates your musicianship and technical proficiency.
- Instrumental music students must bring their instruments to the audition. However, the school will provide a piano, double bass, tuba, percussion, harp, and guitar amplifier.
PART 2: Rhythmic Memory Test
- Applicant taps back rhythmic patterns
PART 3: Tonal Memory Test
- Applicant sings short melodies played by the examiner
PART 4: Sight-reading test (Instrumental applicants only)
**Academic performance in ALL subject areas is heavily weighed in the admissions decision. Preference is given to students with 90+ averages and level 3+ on state math and ELA assessments.
***********************************************************************************************************************
FRANK SINATRA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (Queens)
OVERVIEW
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts will offer the opportunity for all students to achieve their fullest academic and artistic potential. This will be accomplished through a rigorous educational program, which will include a challenging academic program, pre-conservatory studio work, experiences with cultural institutions, and intensive participation in community service. Students will be offered the opportunity to gain real world experience in the arts through internships and apprenticeships. Graduates will be prepared for both the finest conservatories and the best universities in the country. All of the people associated with the school – administrators, teachers, artists and performers – are consonant in their belief that students should be committed and dedicated to their art form, not fame and celebrity. Students should be prepared to work hard and long in their chosen field, learn to appreciate the art itself and, finally, to see their hard work as its own reward. From vision to course development to day-to-day teaching, the school is designed to reinforce its dedication to the arts.
InstrumentalAudition Information: Perform at least one solo selection and three major scales. Take a sight-reading test and a rhythmic comprehension test in which you are required to tap back rhythmic patterns. Bring your own instrument (except piano, tuba, double bass, percussion instruments, guitar amplifiers); bring 2 copies of audition music.
Vocal
Audition Information: Perform the Star Spangled Banner (accompaniment will be provided) and one minute of a classical or a standard musical theatre piece. Bring sheet music in your key.
AUDITIONS ARE BY REGISTRATION ONLY. PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR CHILD'S GUIDANCE COUNSELOR REGARDING AUDITION REGISTRATION.
For further audition & student transfer informationsee the school’s webesite, franksinatraschoolofthearts.org
You may also contact Mrs. Marchetta@ 718 392 5025 or
**Academic performance in ALL subject areas is heavily weighed in the admissions decision. Preference is given to students with 90+ averages and level 3+ on state math and ELA assessments.
************************************************************************************************************************
BAYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL – ACADEMY OF MUSIC (Queens)
Q12B: Music Performance & Production
Academy of Music - Vocal and Instrumental Performing Arts
The original performing arts school in Queens, the Bayside High School Academy of Music prides itself on strong teaching and excellent facilities in order to prepare music students for the next level. With three instrumental rehearsal rooms, two vocal performance rooms, a state-of-the-art music technology lab, a brand new Music Production Mac lab, and an auditorium that is always filled to capacity for performances, the Bayside High School Academy of Music is the ideal institution for music education.* (see note below for clarification)
-Preparation for careers in vocal and instrumental performance (Band, Orchestra, -Chorus, Guitar, Drums, Percussion) and in music production and studio recording; pianists and beginners welcome to apply
The end goal of this Program is to develop independent thinking, literate performers andRecording Arts technicians who are socially responsible and aware of the "business skills" required to secureemployment and successfully pursue post-secondary study in music performance and recording arts Technology.
Entrance Criteria
- Audition: Students may audition for the instrumental part of the program by performing one preparedmusical selection and three scales. Students may audition for the vocal string of the program by singing oneprepared musical selection in any style. All students (beginners included) will take a music aptitude test and beinterviewed.
- Grades: 80-100 in all courses
- Standardized Test Scores: 2-4 Math; 2-4 English
- Review of Attendance & Punctuality
For audition information, please visit the "Music and Art Audition lnformation" link at
*FYI…
The focus of the BHS Music program is contemporary and popular music. Although students will audition on their band/orchestra instruments, they will be primarily focusing on drums, guitar bass and/or keyboards. At the present time major ensemble instruction (concert band, jazz band and orchestra) are NOT offered at this school.
TALENT UNLIMITED HIGH SCHOOL (Manhattan)
Talent Unlimited High School is a small New York City performing arts public high school with students from all five boroughs. Admission is by audition and review of academic records. Located in the Julia Richman Educational Complex on East 68th Street off Second Avenue in Manhattan, TUHS is widely recognized for its successful cultivation of an artistic, academically-proficient community of college ready citizen-artists dedicated to lifelong learning and creative collaboration.
TUHS offers an arts integration curriculum aimed at preparing its students
to achieve artistic and academic excellence. Students are accepted to one of five arts majors programs: dance, drama, instrumental music, musical theatre or vocal music. They also participate in a challenging college preparatory academic program that includes Regents and Advanced Regents certifications, Advanced Placement classes and College Now courses.
INSTRUMENTAL AUDITION INFORMATION
Students must bring on the day of their audition:
- A pen or pencil
- Instruments (except Percussion, Piano, Tuba, and String Bass which will be provided by Talent Unlimited HS) Percussionists must bring their own sticks and mallets.
- Two copies of a prepared musical selection of medium difficulty (i.e. NYSSMALevel 2 or 3 as a model of difficulty level)
In addition all students will be asked to play scales and to sight-read. Three major scales are required for each instrument.
* Pianists should play at least three major scales in multiple octaves with both hands.
** Percussionists will be asked to place several rudiments in lieu of scales
VOCAL AUDITION INFORMATION
Be prepared to sing one of the following in a medium key from memory:
-Amazing Grace
-Over The Rainbow
-Silent Night
-The Star Spangled Banner
An accompanist will be provided. Applicants will also be asked to repeat vocal phrases demonstrated by the teacher in order to test rhythm, tonal memory, and basic vocal technique. Ability to take directions will be strongly considered.
Evidence of strong academic performance is preferred. Admitted students have academic averages ranging from 80-100, although above 85 is preferable.
For more information go to the school’s website,
******************************************************************************************************CELIA CRUZ BRONX HIGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC (Bronx)
Celia Cruz High School of Music is a small magnet school for students seriously interested in continuing their music studies while pursuing a rigorous academic course of study.
- A small school where all members of the staff know you and support your academic and musical growth.
- Opportunities to be with like-minded students that are serious about music and academic achievement.
- Small class sizes in core academic subjects. Highly qualified and dedicated teacher s who care about you.
- A program that will prepare you for college. Individualized attention to your academic and music performance needs.
- Honors, Advanced Placement, and College Now courses.
- Music instruction in the music building of Lehman College, City University of New York.
- Opportunities to perform at various locations.
- A partnership of school, home, and community ready to support and guide you through high school and beyond.
Audition Requirements
Chorus:
Students should be prepared to sing a piece a cappella, match pitch, imitate rhythmic and melodic lines, and sing in harmony with the teacher.
Instrumental (Band, Orchestra, Piano):
Students should be prepared to perform a piece, scales, and sight read.
Percussion (Drums):
Students should be prepared to perform a piece on snare drum, sight read, and perform two rudiments.
Celia Cruz HS offers three levels of band as well as several choruses, an orchestra and a jazz ensemble. The school hosts a NYSSMA festival annually and all students are encouraged to participate in both solo and major ensemble adjudication. The Symphonic Band competes at level VI and has had several consecutive gold and gold with distinction ratings.
Located across the street from Bronx Science, Celia Cruz students can utilize the same private bussing company, Vallo Transportation. For further information about busses contact Vallo at 718.961.7600.
For further information go to the school’s website,
*************************************************************************************************************************
THE GRAND STREET CAMPUS HIGH SCHOOLS (Brooklyn)
The Grand Street Band Program is set up as a four-year sequence
There are no auditions. Students with past instrumental music training will be placed on one of the upper-level bands.
The Grand Street Campus Band has performed for former NYC Schools chancellor Klein, Arturo O’ Farrill and congresswoman Nydia Velasquez
All GSC Band Participate in annual NYSSMA adjudication festivals.
The Beginner Band has received a gold rating at Level I for five consecutive years. The Wind Ensemble has received multiple gold with distinction levels IV and V.
In March of 2013, the Grand Street Campus hosted New York City’s first ever Area-All State Festival.
Student applicants must apply to one of the Grand Street Campus High Schools.
The most competitive school on the campus is The High School for Enterprise, Business and Technology. It is an “A” school and academic performance is very heavily weighed for admission. Incoming students generally have academic averages ranging from 85-100. There are a multitude of AP classes offered.
Progress High School has slightly less rigorous entrance requirements. It is a “C” school. Incoming students generally have academic averages of 80 and above.
For further information, contact Mr. Ball, Director of Bands at the Grand Street Campus at
*********************************************************************************************
FOREST HILLS HIGH SCHOOL (Queens)
The Forest Hills HS Music Department is among the strongest in Queens. Ensembles include Concert Choir, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble and the Advanced Percussion Ensemble. Instruction is also available in music theory (four levels of coursework are offered), vocal training and beginning percussion. Completion of the FHHS music program will result in an arts endorsement on your Regents diploma.
Entrance to the FHHS Music Department requires an audition. Students with grade point averages between 85 and 100 are preferred.
FHHS is a large comprehensive high school serving nearly 4,000 students. They have been an “A” rated school for the past five years. An extensive number of advanced placement courses are offered.
The audition requirements are as follows:
-A prepared piece at or above NYSSMA Level II or III
-Sightreading
-Pitch matching assessment for prospective vocal students
For further information, check out the website
********************************************************************************
SPECIAL MUSIC SCHOOL HIGH SCHOOL (Manhattan)
In September of 2013 the K-8 Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School expanded to include grades 9-12. The state of the art facility is located in midtown Manhattan, footsteps from LaGuardia HS, the Juilliard School and Lincoln Center. This highly-selective school only enrolls 50 students in each grade. In addition to helping students build extremely strong core skills as music makers, Special Music School High School prepares them to improvise and compose as well as perform, understand music technology and collaborate with other musicians both in small and large groups while providing meaningful experience working with living composers.
Students may apply and audition for one of three studios: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music or Composition. The application, detailed information and the audition schedule can be found on the school’s website
Instrumental:
Required: A selection, or selections, totaling at least 3 minutes in length, plus a two-octave scale of your choice.
Based on your audition, you may be asked to sight sing, participate in a mini improvisation workshop, and take a music theory test.
Please note: Certain instruments, such as violin, piano, cello, and flute, are exceptionally competitive. While we encourage all interested students to apply, we will undoubtedly have more applicants for these instruments than we can accept. In rare occurrences, applicants in highly-competitive pools with excellent grades and potential may be conditionally accepted to Special Music School High School on a different instrument. Outside of these occurrences, we do not accept beginning instrumentalist.
String players and pianists are encouraged to play from memory.
Vocal:
It is suggested that you perform your audition from memory, however it is not a requirement to do so.
Students will be asked to vocalize and should bring in a Classical or Musical Theater song. For specific recommendations, please visit our FAQs.
Based on your audition, you may be asked to sight sing, participate in a mini improvisation workshop, and take a music theory test. In addition, you may be asked to sing melodic patterns throughout your range.
Composition:
Composition majors should be prepared to submit scores and/or recordings of their original compositions, which will need to be received by November 1, 2015. Composition majors will be scheduled for an interview in which they will discuss their compositional interests, process, and aesthetic. Additionally, they may be asked to demonstrate skill on an instrument.
In addition to your interview, you will be asked to sight sing, participate in a mini improvisation workshop, and take a music theory test.
How to submit you supplementary materials:
All scores, recordings, YouTube links, audio files, CDs, etc. must be received with your completed application, by November 1, 2015.
SPECIALIZED HS AUDITION LIST
NAME / CLASS / School(s) / Instrument(s)Or voice part / Need music
(yes/no)