Application and Audition Guidelines Incoming 6 th Grade Students Kelly Maniscalco Principal 8901 Cypress Lake Drive Fort Myers, Florida 33919 Telephone: (239) 481-1533 Fax: (239) 481-3121 cym.leeschools.net Deadline to Return Audition Packet: Friday, February 19 th 2016 Auditions will be held on February 29 th and March 1 st 2016
Audition and Admission Criteria Please read this entire packet completely. Cypress Lake Middle School is an Arts School located in the South Zone. We offer four levels of Band, Dance, Art, and Theatre and three levels of Orchestra and Chorus. Incoming 6 th Grade students who are interested in coming to Cypress Lake Middle as one of our selected arts students must live in Sub Zones 1 or 2 in the South Zone and complete their Student Assignment application before they are able to apply and audition. Please follow the procedures described on the following pages carefully. The entire process for application into Cypress Lake Middle School Arts Program includes the following steps: 1. Complete the LCSD Student Assignment application either online or paper. 2. Complete Student Application (enclosed) and return by February 19 th. Application Two letters of recommendation (one from a current teacher and one that can speak to the student s artistic ability. Letters must not be from a member of the applicant s family.) See forms included in packet. Any additional paperwork or portfolio documentation required by a specific department to meet audition qualifications Late applications will not be accepted, no exceptions. Audition appointments will be scheduled for qualifying students upon review of the packet by the Arts Department. 3. If you are selected for an audition, you will be contacted to schedule this audition on either February 29 th or March 1 st. Prepare for your audition by following the audition guidelines as listed under each art area in this Audition and Admission Criteria packet. Come to your audition at the appointed time. All auditions are closed to observers. If a student becomes ill and is unable to audition, written verification documenting the illness from a doctor must be presented to the school within three (3) school days of the date of the of the student s scheduled audition. A new audition date and time will be selected for the student by the school. 4. If you auditioned: You will receive notification by mail no later than March 15 th, 2016, regarding the status of student s acceptance. 5. If you are selected for the Arts Program at Cypress Lake Middle School: You will be removed from any other assigned school through Student Assignment. This will be taken care of by CLMS. You are making a three year commitment to the Arts Program at Cypress Lake Middle School. Participation and attendance for performance related after school activities is required. Parent/Guardian involvement is HIGHLY recommended and welcomed.
Audition Requirements by Department Each arts department has specific criteria that will be used to determine eligibility. Students may audition for up to two departments. Dance At CLMS dance students will be provided with a wide range of quality opportunities and experiences that will allow them to prepare for advance study, creative growth, and personal fulfillment. Students participating in dance will study the major dance styles and choreography, with a strong focus on performance practices and individual creative expression. In the dance classroom, skills are developed through classwork, technique, individual and class projects, and performance opportunities. Audition Requirements: A short assessment of ballet barre exercises such as plie, tendu, degage, and grand battement. A short assessment of locomotor movement such as chasse, leap, and chainés. A short assessment of basic jazz exercises such as pivot turn, Jazz Square, and pirouette. A short paragraph or resume outlining student s dance experience and desire to be a member of the Cypress Lake Middle School Dance Department. Please be sure to wear appropriate dance wear or clothing that is easy to move in. Hair should be secured up and out of the face in a ponytail, bun, or French braid. Feet can be bare or appropriate dance shoes may be worn. Theatre CLMS Theatre students will study and explore all aspects of the theatre process. Through classroom study and studio work, students will be trained in the art and craft of theatre. Drama students gain skills in acting, pantomime, costumes, lighting, sound, stage craft, literature, history, vocal techniques, and playwriting. Students will learn successful communication in the theater involves the full integration of all of these parts. Audition Requirements Prepare one (1) monologue from a published play. The selected monologue must be memorized. Maximum monologue time is a total of two minutes. Check your material carefully to ensure that you meet this time limit as you will be timed. Students may be asked to participate in a short movement activity to demonstrate basic skills of commitment to character. Please wear attire which allows for movement. Students must wear appropriate audition attire. No shorts, t-shirts, or sandals of any kind will be permitted. Please dress as you would if you were attending a special event, but remember to also dress in a way that allows for movement. Hair should be secured away from the face.
Band The Cypress Lake Middle School Band Program is designed to help students establish the fundamental techniques needed to perform on a band instrument as well as how to read music. There are four levels of band offered: Beginning Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. All students must perform in seasonal concerts and students in the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band perform at Music Performance Assessment events each spring. Audition Requirements Students will be asked to identify pitches by reading either the treble or bass clef (student choice) Students will be asked to define common musical vocabulary such as tempo, dynamics, allegro, crescendo, etc. Students will be required to perform a sight reading exercise in four-four time that includes quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and all corresponding rests Students will be required to demonstrate that they can maintain a steady beat Students should bring a prepared piece to perform on any instrument. The piece should demonstrate the student s current proficiency on that instrument. Students must wear appropriate audition attire which includes professional dress. A white shirt, black pants or skirt, and black shoes are recommended as this is what is needed for concerts. Chorus The Choral Program at Cypress Lake Middle consists of three levels of chorus: Chorus 1, Mixed Chorus, and Panther Singers. Each group will be expected to perform in front of an audience consisting of student community, family members, and possible community performances. Music theory and music reading are part of the expectations for all three levels of chorus. All incoming 6 th graders will start in Chorus 1 and choral placement in 7 th grade will be dependent upon performance throughout the student s 6 th grade year. Audition Requirements Students are expected to prepare and memorize a vocal selection. Students will respond orally to questions about note recognition for their own clef, note and rest values, and musical symbols. Flashcards may be used. Students will listen to a series of 3-5 pitches on the piano and sing them back. Students will sing a major scale using solfeggio or other syllables. Sight reading Applicants will be judged on pitch accuracy, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, expressiveness, musical effect, and sight reading. Accompaniment: Students may sing with or without accompaniment. If accompaniment is desired, it must be a CD or URL of a YouTube accompaniment. Accompaniments must be instrumental only. No recorded voices on the tracks. Suggested songs: American folk songs or easy classical pieces. Current pop songs should be avoided if at all possible. Students must wear appropriate audition attire. No shorts, t-shirts, or sandals of any kind will be permitted. Please dress as you would if you were attending a special event, but remember to also dress in a way that allows for movement. Hair should be secured away from the face.
Strings The Strings Program at Cypress Lake Middle consists of three levels of orchestra: Orchestra 1, Orchestra 2, and Chamber Orchestra. Each group will be expected to perform in front of an audience consisting of student community, family members, and possible community performances. Music theory and music reading are part of the expectations for all three levels of orchestra. All incoming 6 th graders will start in Orchestra 1 and orchestral placement in 7 th grade will be dependent upon performance throughout the student s 6 th grade year. Chamber Orchestra will have opportunities to audition for All County, All State, and participate in the MPA process. Audition Requirements Students should perform a solo that demonstrates their highest level of ability. An accompanist isn t required or provided. A CD accompaniment is accepted. Students need to bring at least two (2) copies of their sheet music for the judges. Students will respond orally to questions about note recognition for their own clef, note and rest values, and musical symbols. Flashcards may be used. Students will listen to a series of 3-4 pitches on the piano and play them back. Students will perform a major scale of the applicant s choice, one or two octaves. Sight Reading Applicants will be judged on pitch accuracy, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, expressiveness, technique, sight-reading, tone matching, musical effect, and ability to perform a major scale. Students must wear appropriate audition attire. No shorts, t-shirts, or sandals of any kind will be permitted. Please dress as you would if you were attending a special event, but remember to also dress in a way that allows for movement. Hair should be secured away from the face. Visual Arts The visual arts program at Cypress Lake Middle School teaches an appreciation of Art across time and cultures. The Beginning Art course concentrates on developing students artistic skills and techniques. Students will become strong visual communicators, creative thinkers and resourceful problem solvers. Throughout the curriculum, students will be expected to create both two and three dimensional artworks as well as maintain a personal sketchbook. Our goal is to prepare students for the next phase of their Visual Arts education in high school. Audition Requirements Students will be required to sketch with 6B pencil and charcoal without erasers. Students will have a choice of still life compositions to draw. Sketches made during the audition will NOT be returned to students. A portfolio folder containing examples of the student s best art work (any medium 2D or photos of 3D) will also be judged. The folder or box must contain a minimum of 4 items and a maximum of 12. Each piece must be labeled with the student s name, current Art teacher s name and current school. Folders of prior work will be taken home by the audition participant at the end of the audition. Students must wear appropriate audition attire which includes professional dress.
Cypress Lake Middle School Arts Program Middle School Audition Application Form 2016-2017 School Year Fax # (239) 481-3121 Phone # (239) 481-1533 8901 Cypress Lake Drive, Ft. Myers, FL 33919 Please fill out the information below and return by fax, US Mail or in person to our school. The deadline to submit this application is Friday, February 19 th. Student Last Name Student First Name MI Date of Birth Gender Student ID Street Address Apartment Number City, State, Zip Home Phone Parent Cell Phone Parent Guardian Name Work Phone Primary E-Mail Address Secondary E-Mail Address Current School Primary Language Artistic Areas of Interest Please select up to two (2) areas of interest for which you wish to audition. Band Chorus Dance Strings Theatre Visual Arts As per district policy, you MUST have a Student Identification Number to apply. This is obtained by registering with the School District of Lee County through Student Assignment office BEFORE turning in this application. Your student assignment receipt must accompany this application. Additionally, you MUST have a current address in South Zone, Sub Zone 1 or 2 to audition for the CLMS Arts Program. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the Audition and Admission Criteria. Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date Office Use Only: Date Received Complete Not Complete
Application: Teacher Recommendation 1 Recommendations must be in a sealed envelope with the teacher s signature across the back. Recommendations must be included in the application packet and returned by February 19 th no later than 5:00 p.m. Please print clearly. Student Last Name Student First Name Student ID Name of person making the recommendation Title Phone E-Mail Years you have known applicant How would you rate this student in terms of: (Mark an X in the appropriate space) Creativity Self-Motivation Discipline Work Habits Academic Achievement Interpersonal Skills Interest in the Arts Written Expression of Ideas Potential for Growth Ability to Follow Directions (Continue on the other side) No Basis Below Average Average Good Very Good Excellent Top 10%
Please provide a short recommendation for the applying student. Please reference your direct experiences with the student to include details from the criteria on the preceding page. Signature Date
Application: Recommendation 2 Recommendations must be in a sealed envelope with a signature across the back. Recommendations must be included in the application packet and returned by February 19 th no later than 5:00 p.m. Please print clearly. Student Last Name Student First Name Student ID Name of person making the recommendation Title Phone E-Mail Years you have known applicant How would you rate this student in terms of: (Mark an X in the appropriate space) Creativity Self-Motivation Discipline Work Habits Academic Achievement Interpersonal Skills Interest in the Arts Written Expression of Ideas Potential for Growth Ability to Follow Directions (Continue on the other side) No Basis Below Average Average Good Very Good Excellent Top 10%
Please provide a short recommendation for the applying student. Please reference your direct experiences with the student to include details from the criteria on the preceding page. Signature Date