TALENT ACADEMY 2017 Preparation Notes for Submission and Audition in Music International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) DSA-JC Applicants Eligibility Criteria Students in the Music IBCP can choose to specialise in either Performance or Composition, and must take Music at a Higher Level (HL). The nature of exposure and opportunities will be dependent upon the area of specialisation. Applicants need to have a strong passion for their chosen field and intend to continue their studies at a music college or conservatory. Applicants for Performance must be technically as well as musically exceptionally strong on their instruments. Applicants for Composition must have had a wide range of musical experiences and show this in their portfolio and interview. All applicants are expected to have a good knowledge of Western analysis and music theory and need to be able to read bass, alto and treble clef. They also need to have some awareness of music of non western cultures. Students will be expected to be imaginative, enthusiastic, expressive, co-operative, openminded and flexible thinkers, and self-driven learners. A strong command of English, spoken and written, is a key pre-requisite. A keen interest in all aspects of the arts is clearly essential. Phase 1: Shortlisting What to submit for Music Portfolio Items Performance Track Description For ALL instruments except for Voice: For Singers (Voice): A recording of 1 or 2 performances (10 15 mins in total) which demonstrate your best performance qualities. Video recordings of 2 performances (10 15 mins in total) which demonstrate your best performance qualities. All candidates (regardless whether they focus on Western Classical, traditional Indian or Jazz singing) must prepare at least one song / aria in Western Classical tradition. No candidate is allowed to present two pop / jazz / musical theatre songs. If the candidate applies as a Western Classical Singer, the two presented works must be in two different Western languages. Choir pieces cannot be accepted. Voice applicants are advised to take voice lessons before auditioning. 1 of 9
For all applicants (instrumentalists as well as singers) You must present your programme with an accompanist A minus-one CD or ipod will not be permitted You have to provide the music score of the work you have recorded Jazz Instrumental Studies: 1. You may apply for Jazz Instrument Studies through the following instruments only: Saxophone Guitar Bass Voice Piano All applicants (singers, instrumentalists in any tradition) Must submit a score and recording of one composition Minimum duration is 3 minutes long Live recording is preferred but a midi version is acceptable. Instruction Video Submission: Recorded in a single take (no editing); cannot be professionally produced Upload videos to any video uploading websites (eg. YouTube, Google Drive) Title of video: Full Name_Music_IBCP_Performance 1 or 2 (eg. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Performance 1) Privacy setting: Public Share video links on TA Portal Audio Submission: Upload audio files to Google Drive Title of Audio: Full Name_Music_IBCP_Composition(e.g. Deborah Yeo_IBCP) Privacy Setting: Public Share audio links on TA Portal Music Scores: Combine scores into 1 file File Name: Full Name_Music_IBCP_Scores (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Scores) File Type:.pdf Maximum File Size: 2 MB Upload file to TA Portal 2 of 9
Composition Track 1. A portfolio of 2 to 4 compositions Minimum 3 minutes each Include scores and recordings Live recording is preferred but a midi version is acceptable Combine all recordings into 1 file 2. Video recordings of 2 contrasting works that demonstrate your best performance qualities You must present your programme with an accompanist A minus-one CD or ipod will not be permitted Music scores of the 2 works you ve recorded Record 2 separate videos for the 2 works Instruction Video Submission: Recorded in a single take (no editing); cannot be professionally produced Upload videos to any video uploading websites (eg. YouTube, Google Drive) Title of videos: Full Name_Music_IBCP_title of the work (eg. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Snowy Mountains) Privacy setting: Public Share video links on TA Portal Audio Submission: Upload audio files to Google Drive Title of Audio: Full Name_Music_IBCP_title of the work (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Snowy Mountains) Privacy Setting: Public Share audio links on TA Portal Music Scores: Combine scores into 1 file File Name: Full Name_Music_IBCP_Scores (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Scores) File Type:.pdf Maximum File Size: 4 MB Upload file to TA Portal 3 of 9
Relevant Credentials (Optional) Most recent top 5 Achievements / Awards related to Music, from the last 3 years. Examples of relevant credentials include the following items: Letters of reference from schools or teachers, testifying to the applicant s artistic experience and merit Evidence of participation in Music performances in and/or out of school (eg. Singapore Youth Festival, competitions, concerts or workshops) Instruction Combine scores into 1 file. File Name: Full Name_Music_IBCP_Credentials(e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_IBCP_Credentials) File Type:.pdf Maximum File Size: 10 MB Upload file to TA Portal Advice / Tips Select the pieces with great care. Present pieces of contrasting nature, which display your musicianship and technical proficiency. Supporting documents and portfolios submitted for shortlisting will be retained for the school s records. 4 of 9
Phase 2: Audition for Shortlisted Applicants A. What to prepare and bring for Music Audition Below are some pointers on how to prepare for the audition: Performance Track For ALL applicants: Be prepared and ready for the audition. Keep practising your 2 set pieces and the prescribed piece (Piano, Violin, Voice) For Percussion Applicants ONLY: You should inform SOTA in advance to discuss instruments and specifications SOTA will provide, within reasonable limits, the agreed instruments Standard instruments include o Snare drum o Xylophone o Congas o Chinese percussion instruments o Drum-kit (standard 5-piece kit) and a 4.3 octave marimba (5-octave marimba available upon request) Email SOTA at: sa@sota.edu.sg You should bring your own mallets and beaters. For Piano, Violin and Voice Applicants ONLY: For shortlisted applicants, you will be given a prescribed piece* to prepare and present, in addition to the video performance that you ve submitted Prescribed piece for Piano, Violin and Voice will be availble for download via the TA Portal on 2 June 2017 For Jazz Instrumental Studies Applicants ONLY: For shortlisted Piano and Violin applicants, you will be given a prescribed piece* to prepare and present, in addition to the video performance that you ve submitted Prescribed piece for Piano, Violin and Voice will be availble for download via the TA Portal on 2 June 2017 5 of 9
Composition Track No preparation required Come with an open mind and be ready for the audition Composition and Performance Tracks 1. Portfolio You may wish to prepare a portfolio, which includes the following: Music essays, projects or composition portfolio Hard copies of relevant credentials that you have submitted during Phase 1: Shortlisting via the TA Portal On the Audition Day Attire Peformance Track: Treat the audition like a performance and dress neatly yet comfortably. Avoid uncomfortably tight clothes and shoes with heels. Composition Track: Dress neatly yet comfortably. No shorts/short skirts, sandals and slippers. 6 of 9
B. What You Will Experience During The Talent Academy Tracks Composition and Performance Tracks 1. A Music Listening Paper No preparations required Description 2. Interview You will be interviewed by the audition panel to ascertain your passion for music and ability to articulate your musical ideas You will be asked questions about all facets of music You will be given an opportunity to share your portfolio, past learning experiences and interest in music Performance Track Only You will undergo a twenty-minute audition that includes the following: For ALL applicants: You will perform the works you have submitted in Phase 1: Shortlisting You must bring your own instrument except for piano, double bass, drum kit and harp 2 copies of music scores of the set pieces You must present your programme with an accompanist* A minus-one CD or ipod will not be permitted You are expected to memorise your programme Sight-singing/reading For Piano, Violin and Voice applicants ONLY: You will perform the works that you have submitted and the prescribed piece set by SOTA The respective prescribed pieces will be available for download via the TA Portal on 2 June 2017 You are expected to memorise your programme Sight-singing/reading For Jazz Instrumental Studies applicants ONLY: You will perform the works that you have submitted and the prescribed piece set by SOTA (for Voice and Piano) You are expected to memorise your programme Improvisation on a 12-bar Blues Form, with multiple choruses Sight-singing/reading Composition Track Only Undergo a mini lesson 7 of 9
Advise/Tips Performance Track *If the music piece(s) you have chosen require an accompanist, you must have an accompanist during your solo performance audition. Approach the audition like you would for a concert: arrive in good time. Ensure you have brought copies of your music scores for the audition panel. Make good use of the warm-up time allocated. Concentrate during your performance. Remember that the audition panelists are just as keen to enjoy your performance! Composition Track Come with an open mind and be ready for your audition. 8 of 9
ANNEX A Need Help? 1. How do I upload videos to YouTube? You may refer to the YouTube Help page for assistance Direct Link: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?co=genie.platform%3ddesktop&hl=en Google Search Engine In google search engine, type the following keywords: How to upload video on youtube 2. How do I upload videos and files to Google drive? You may refer to the Google Support page for assistance Direct Link: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?co=genie.platform%3ddesktop&hl=en Google Search Engine In google search engine, type the following keywords: How to upload files or folders to google drive 3. How do I convert, compress or merge documents to PDF? There are many free online websites you can use. Below are a few suggestions. Please note that SOTA is not affiliated to any of these sites. The links below will bring you to an external website not hosted by SOTA. a. Convert word document to pdf document 1. www.freepdfconvert.com 2. https://smallpdf.com/word-to-pdf b. Compress / Resize pdf documents 1. http://www.ilovepdf.com/compress_pdf c. Merge individual pdf documents into 1 document 2. http://www.ilovepdf.com/merge_pdf 9 of 9