3800 Washington Avenue Windsor Mill, MD 21244 The prime at prepares students for solo and ensemble performances in a variety of musical genres including opera and musical theatre. Course work includes vocal fundamentals and technique, sight reading, and music history, theory, and criticism. Students may also work with music technology, recording, and engineering. Magnet Transportation Information: (Northwest Area) Transportation is provided at community pick-up points only for students who are zoned for high schools in the Northwest or Southwest areas. Magnet Showcase Event: Saturday, October 13, 2018 10 a.m. 1 p.m. 2019-2020 Assessment Guidelines Magnet Coordinator: Arinita Crawford 443-809-0660 acrawford@bcps.org Assessments Date: Saturday, January 12, 2019 9 a.m. 12 p.m.. ALL Assessments by Appointment Individual assessment appointments must be scheduled no later than Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Schedule your appointment online at the BCPS Magnet Programs Web site (www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet) or call BCPS Magnet Programs at (443) 809-4127 (NOT BOTH). Pre-Audition Workshop: Thursday, November 15, 2018 6 7 p.m. This workshop will give students an opportunity to experience a few of the many skills that the program offers. In addition, expectations for the audition will be discussed. The workshop is optional and participation in the workshop is not considered during the application, audition or decision process. Students MUST register to attend the workshop. There must be at least 6 or more students registered to attend the workshop in order for it to commence. It is recommended that you sign up for the workshop during the Magnet Showcase Event, but if you are unable to attend the event, you may e-mail Arinita Crawford (acrawford@bcps.org) by Friday, November 2, 2018 at 3 p.m. Unforeseen Illness or Emergency: Parent(s) must inform the school immediately if the applicant cannot attend or complete the scheduled assessment due to an unforeseen illness or emergency. Please be aware that assessments will not be rescheduled without documentation verifying the illness or emergency. Inclement Weather Date: Saturday, January 19, 2019 at the previously scheduled appointment time Inclement Weather: In the event that school activities are cancelled due to inclement weather, magnet assessments will be postponed. Postponed assessments will occur on the designated inclement weather date. All emergency closing and cancellation information will be posted on the BCPS automated information line, 443-809-5555. Closings and cancellation announcements may also be made through local media.
Prior to the Audition All applicants must schedule a vocal audition. Applicants are encouraged to seek assistance in preparation for the audition. Your middle school teacher may be your best resource. A Pre- Audition Workshop is also available (see page one for details). Theory, Sight Reading & Aural Skills: Applicants should be prepared to complete a brief theory assessment including a written component, melodic and rhythmic sight reading and a simple aural skills assessment. Musical Selections: Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces that show their vocal strengths. Initiative and commitment are essential in the program. It is expected that the student will take responsibility for finding his or her songs. Students will need to learn the audition songs they will sing, from memory. The first selection must be an Art Song, Aria or selection from a Broadway musical. This piece should include piano accompaniment. Applicants must provide their own music. An accompanist may be present however applicants are welcome to bring their own accompanists taped instrumental only accompaniment. Applicants must bring one set of music for the judges and one for the accompanist. Copies must be legible and in the key in which the selection is to be performed. If a photocopy is used for the accompanist, it must be placed in a three ring binder and must be able to rest upright on the piano rack without closing or falling off. A list of suggested vocal music resources is provided in this document. The second selection may be any suitable song of the applicant s choice. This may include any style or genre appropriate to the applicant and it must be performed a cappella. This song should further demonstrate the singer full range and vocal ability. Applicants are welcome but NOT required to perform the selection Simple Gifts (see page 6) as the a cappella selection. On the Day of the Assessment The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes. It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to: ensure that the applicant attends the assessment on the scheduled date and time. contact the schools if scheduled magnet assessment appointments conflict. Failure to attend an assessment WILL result in disqualification. Assessment Guidelines 2019-2020 2
Registration Information All applicants are required to attend the magnet assessment held at. Applicants should be accompanied to the assessment by at least one parent. Applicants should arrive 15 minutes prior to the scheduled assessment time and will need to register for the assessment in the main lobby. Applicants arriving more than 15 minutes after the scheduled assessment time will not be allowed into the testing area. If the applicant cannot attend or complete the scheduled assessment due to an unforeseen illness or emergency, please contact at (443) 809-0660. Please be aware that assessments will not be rescheduled without documentation verifying the illness or emergency. Assessment Description Dress Requirements: Professional attire is expected. Recommended appropriate dress for young women is dark slacks/skirts that come to the knee and dress shoes with little heel. Young men should wear dress pants and a tie. Interview (10 points): Applicants will be interviewed during the audition. Questions for the interview portion of the audition will concern why the applicant wants to be part of the magnet, what the applicant can offer the program, areas of strength, and leadership skills. Essay (10 points): Applicants will write a brief response to a question posed immediately prior to the audition. Theory, Sight Reading & Aural Skills (20 points): Candidates will take a short written and aural test to determine their knowledge of reading music and general musicianship. Two al Selections (60 points): Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces that show their vocal strengths. Initiative and commitment are essential in the program. It is expected that the student will take responsibility for finding selecting appropriate material. Suggested resources are listed below. Students will need to learn the audition songs they will sing, from memory. The judges will evaluate students on the basis of musical accuracy and expression, alignment/body use, breath management, tone quality and the potential for further creative development. Please carefully refer to the specific selection requirements described above under Musical Selections and be certain to bring 2 clear and legible copies of your first performance selection with you for the judges and or accompanist. Documented testing accommodations, as appropriate to the assessment, will be provided Assessment Guidelines 2019-2020 3
Magnet Application Deadline Friday, November 16, 2018 Applications are available on the BCPS Magnet Programs Web site (www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet) beginning at 12:00 noon on Monday, September 17, 2018. Applications must be submitted on or before Friday, November 16, 2018. Late applications are not processed. You are encouraged to apply online on the BCPS Magnet Programs Web site (www.tinyurl.com/bcpsmagnet) or submit a paper application. Online applications may be submitted until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 16, 2018. To apply online, you will need an active email account. Paper applications must be postmarked on or before Friday, November 16, 2018. Assessment Guidelines 2019-2020 4
Suggested Resources: MILFORD MILL ACADEMY Any song in the following books, or songs like them, is an acceptable Broadway song: Kids Broadway Songbook. Hal Leonard, publisher. The Singer s Musical Theatre Anthology (Soprano/Mezzo-soprano or Alto/Tenor/ Baritone or Bass), Hal Leonard, publisher. Each voice classification has several volumes. Any song from any volume for the student s voice class is acceptable. Any song in the following books, or songs like them, is an acceptable art song: Easy Songs for Beginning Sopranos/Mezzo-sopranos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. Easy Songs for Beginning Altos/Tenors/Baritones. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. Easy Songs for Beginning Basses. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. First Book of Soprano Solos/Mezzo-soprano Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. First Book of Altos/Tenor/Baritone Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. First Book of Bass Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. Each voice classification has several volumes. Any song from any volume for the student s voice class is acceptable. 24, 26 or 28 Italian Arias Each voice classification has several volumes. Any song from any volume for the student s voice class is acceptable. The song collection books referenced above are available at: Music and Arts. 1940 York Road, Lutherville/Timonium. 410-453-0814 Menchey Music Services. 2444 Broad Avenue (off Padonia Road), Timonium. 410-543- 6635 Stu s Music Shop. 723 Baltimore Boulevard, Westminster. 410-876-7585 www.amazon.com www.abe.com www.barnesandnoble.com, bn.com Assessment Guidelines 2019-2020 5
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