TALENT ACADEMY 2017 Preparation Notes for Submission and Audition in Music DSA-Secondary and DSA-Secondary (Non-MOE) Applicants Eligibility Criteria The Music Faculty offers two tracks the Creating and Performing. Music is an art form which requires both the conceptualization and development of ideas as well as the ability to find expression for those ideas through an instrument/voice. Applicants whose strength and interest is in the creative and conceptualization process should apply to Creating Track. Applicants whose strength and interest is on instrumental or vocal performance should apply for the Performance Track. Performance Track Applicants may receive an offer letter to attend the Creating Track during the Talent Academy. Both tracks lead to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Group 6 Subject Music. Music applicants should have completed at least two years of musical training or involvement in a musical activity (e.g. school band, choir, ensemble) on any instrument. 'Instrument' here refers to voice and instruments of all cultures and traditions. All applicants should be able to sight-read or sight-sing in at least one clef. Phase 1: Shortlisting What to submit for Music Portfolio Items Description Performance Track 1. Video recordings of 2 performances 2. Music scores For ALL instruments: Video 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 Voice ONLY: You must prepare two contrasting songs. At least one song in Western Classical tradition and are not permitted to present two pop / Jazz or musical theatre songs. A choir piece will not be accepted Voice applicants are advised to take voice lessons before attending SOTA s Talent Acadmey. 1 of 8
Jazz Instrumental Studies: You may apply for Jazz Instrumental Studies through the following instruments only: o Saxophone o Guitar o Bass o Voice o Piano Instruction Video Submission: 2 videos performances no longer than 10 minutes 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_DSA_Performance 1 or 2 (eg. Deborah Yeo_Music_DSA_Performance1, Deborah Yeo_Performance 2) Privacy setting: Public Share video links on TA Portal Music Scores: Combine scores into 1 file File Name: Full Name_Music_DSA_Scores (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Scores) File type allowed:.pdf Maximum fill size allowed: 4 MB Upload file to TA Portal Creating Track 1. 1 video recording of either a), b) or c) 2. 1 video recording of the primary instrument A recording of no longer than 5 minutes of a spontaneous improvisation in one of the following styles: a) A free improvisation with any number of instruments; or b) An improvisation in a non-western musical style (i.e. Carnatic improvisation). The improvisation should be entirely spontaneous, and should not represent prewritten or prepared material; or c) Improvisation on a 12-bar Blues Form, with multiple choruses One piece on the primary instrument. This piece should also not exceed 5 minutes 2 of 8
3. Portfolio of 1 or 2 musical compositions (Optional) 4. Music scores You may also submit a portfolio of 1 or 2 musical compositions (Optional) o Audio files alone are acceptable, but scores (in any notational style) are preferred o Any scores should ideally include either a live or computerised (i.e. MIDI-playback) recording of the piece o You may also choose to include composers' notes with the pieces Instruction Video Submission: 2 videos no longer than 5 minutes each 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_DSA_Creating 1 or 2 (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_DSA_Creating1, Deborah Yeo_Creating 2) Privacy setting: Public Share video links on TA Portal Audio Submission: Upload audio files to Google Drive Title of Audios: Full Name_Music_DSA_Audio 1 or 2 (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_DSA_Audio1, Deborah Yeo_Music_DSA_Audio2) Privacy Setting: Public Share audio links on TA Portal Music Scores: Combine scores into 1 file. File Name: Full Name_Music_DSA_Scores (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Scores) File Type:.pdf Maximum File Size: 4 MB Upload file to TA Portal 3 of 8
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 all credentials into 1 file. File Name: Full Name_Music_DSA_Credentials (e.g. Deborah Yeo_Music_DSA_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 8
Phase 2: Audition for Shortlisted Applicants A. What to prepare and bring for Music Audition Below are some pointers on preparing the audition: Preparation 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 Snare drum Xylophone Congas Chinese percussion instruments 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 2 works that you have 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 2 works that you have submitted. Prescribed piece for Piano, Violin and Voice will be availble for download via the TA Portal on 2 June 2017 5 of 8
Creating Track No preparation required Come with an open mind and be ready for the audition On the Audition Day Attire Peformance Track: Treat the audition like a performance and dress neatly yet comfortably. You will be required to physically move in the group activity, so avoid uncomfortably tight clothes and shoes with heels. Creating Track: Come with an open mind to learn and explore. Be neatly yt comfortably dressed to allow free movement. No tank tops, shorts/short skirts, sandals and slippers. B. What You Will Experience During The Talent Academy Tracks Description Creating and Performing Tracks (a) Group Music Activities This segment allows applicants to experience how musicianship classes are conducted at SOTA. The activities include group singing and movement which lay the foundation for the training of innate musicianship within students. Your attitude, receptiveness, and engagement during the lessons will be observed, along with important musicianship skills like maintaining tempo, reproducing rhythm correctly, good intonation in singing, musical responses, independence of performance, and the ability to perform collaboratively with others. (b) Critical Listening Class You will also take a 45-minute interactive critical listening class and a reflective exercise. No prior knowledge is required for this class. Creating Track Only You will undergo a creative performance exercise. You will be given a 90-minute hands-on exercise with a SOTA faculty member and an assessor, which culminates in a short performance at the end of the class. The exercise will include the learning of a melody through sight-reading, improvising in a group, and creating a new melody. 6 of 8
Performing Track Only You will undergo a fifteen-minute audition that includes two contrasting works, the set piece (where applicable), sightreading/singing and an interview. For ALL applicants: You will perform the 2 set pieces that 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 Speak about the pieces you have performed, how you have prepared for the audition and other interesting points that you would like to share with the panelists Sight-sing or sight-read a short idiomatic passage with your voice or instrument For Piano, Violin and Voice applicants ONLY: You will perform the 2 set pieces 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 For Jazz Instrumental Studies applicants ONLY: You will perform the 2 set pieces that you have submitted and the prescribed piece set by SOTA (for Voice and Piano) Sight-reading The panelists are looking for musicianship, talent and an ability to learn. The audition panel includes a teacher from SOTA s Faculty of Music and an external specialist. The panel may not always listen to the entire musical performance. 7 of 8
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 8 of 8