Audition Guidelines

1. You must be a Palm Beach County resident at the time of application.
2. Have a GPA of at least a 2.0. The GPA is calculated for 9th grade applicants using the last quarter of 7th grade and the first two quarters of 8th grade. The GPA calculations for 10th-12th grade applicants will be based on the student’s earned GPA at the time of eligibility determination. Students who do not meet the minimum grade point criteria will not be accepted regardless of a qualifying audition score. Private school students will be required to submit an updated transcript to determine eligibility.
3. You must participate in a audition and earn a qualifying score (see table below). The audition process depends on the program you are interested in. The intention of this booklet is to describe in detail what those auditions will be like and what you must prepare for each program.

Qualifying Scores

Scores are averaged from three adjudicators and range from 1 to 5.
9th Grade: 4.25 or higher
10th Grade: 4.50 or higher
11th Grade: 4.75 or higher
12th Grade: 4.90 or higher

Scores may need to be adjusted by art area depending on the number of available seats and score distribution of art area applicants. If such an adjustment occurs, qualifying scores will not increase.

• The names of all qualifying students will be submitted to the Department of Choice and Career Options for a random lottery selection process. If there are more qualified students than available spaces in a program, The School District of Palm Beach County will make the final selection using the random computer lottery system. Students not initially selected will be placed in a wait pool for all choice programs in which they applied and were deemed eligible for.

Accommodations

Accommodations are given to students with special needs documented in an active IEP or 504 plan. Students who have limited proficiency in the English language are encouraged to audition in their native language. Students identified as LY will be provided language facilitators for their auditions. A parent/guardian must notify West Boca High’s Academy Coordinator immediately following the submission of the application if the child has a special need that requires accommodations for their audition. A copy of the child’s current IEP or 504 plan (public school students) or medical evaluation (private school students) must be provided to the school immediately following the submission of the application in order to ensure audition accommodations.

Ballet

Attire:
Female Applicants: Black leotard, pink convertible tights, pink ballet shoes with their hair neatly secured
in a bun.
Male Applicants: Black Convertible tights, Solid white form fitting shirt, white socks and white ballet
shoes.

1. Applicant will execute two combinations in concentrations of Ballet and Jazz techniques. Students
will be asked to execute their Ballet combination then their Jazz combination. Once a student has
executed both combinations, the solo and interview process will take place (see #2 and #3 below).

Evaluation of the dance combination execution will be based on:

• Technical Execution: Body alignment, Clarity of Movement, Strength, Stamina, Endurance and Flexibility
• Coordination / Movement: Moving two or more body parts simultaneously in a cohesive manner
• Artistic Ability: Performance quality, facial expression, dynamics, effective movement quality and projection
• Retention Skills: Ability to learn combinations quickly and execute them accurately

2. Applicant will need to perform a prepared ballet, modern, contemporary or jazz solo no longer
than one and a half (1.5) minutes in length. Female ballet solos may be on pointe but it is not re-quired.
Applicant will bring his/her music on a CD or media player (iPod) cued to the beginning of the selection.
If applicant chooses to use an iPod/iPhone, please place the device on “Do Not Dis-turb” and disable
auto-lock. No costumes, accessories or props are permitted.

Evaluation will be based on:

• Overall technique: Clarity of movement, proficient technical execution and musicality
• Overall artistic ability: Performance quality, dynamics and projection

3. Applicant will be interviewed by the dance department faculty prior to their solo. Interview questions
will be limited to 1 - 3 questions per dancer.

Evaluation will be based on:

• current involvement in dance
• ability to communicate ideas and goals
• potential for professional success

1. Applicants will perform a prepared solo chosen from the state music list of standard music literature.
Go to www.flmusiced.org/fba/dnn/Music-List/Solo-Ensemble for some examples. The chosen
solo piece should showcase the student’s technical ability at the highest level with which the
applicant is comfortable. We recommend a level three solo or higher.

Evaluation will be based on:

• pitch accuracy (discrimination and partials)
• rhythmic accuracy (timing, tempos, actual written rhythm)
• tone quality (characteristic for instrument)
• technique (breath control, fluency , fingering, entrances, releases, tempos, articulation)
• expressiveness (dynamics, phrasing, tempo, shaping)
• musical effect (artistry, stage presence, appearance, emotion)

2. Applicant will prepare six (6) major scales in the keys of: C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db. The judges will ask the student to perform 3 of the 6, selected at random. PLEASE NOTE: TRANSPOSITION IS NOT NECESSARY!

Evaluation will be based on:

• accurate performance of each scale asked to perform

3. Applicant will sight-read several measures after 30 seconds of visual study.

Evaluation will be based on:

• accurate performance of each measure

4. Applicant will sing a familiar song (e.g. “Happy Birthday.”)

Evaluation will be based on:

• Accuracy (pitch, rhythm and timing)

5. Applicant will sing a series of notes played on the piano in real
time.

Evaluation will be based on:

• Aural memory and intonation

6. Applicant will participate in an interview.

Evaluation will be based on:

• Demonstrated motivation through description of practice habits, lessons, festival participation, awards, eagerness to learn and try new concepts.

 

Note: West Boca does NOT offer a guitar program nor do we offer a drum set program. However, students who play legitimate percussion are encouraged to apply. Percussionists are expected to perform and sight-read on SNARE DRUM or MALLETS. No timpani is required.

After fulfilling the requirements for the Percussion audition, students may elect to demonstrate Drum Set skills.

Drum Set:

Prepare the following styles in 32 bar form

• Straight Ahead Swing at quarter note= 100-160 bpm
• Latin Style (samba, bossa, etc.) at quarter note= 100-140 bpm
• Funk/Rock at quarter note =100 bpm

1. Applicant will perform a prepared solo* chosen from standard music literature available through any middle or high school music department. The solo repertoire should showcase the student’s technical ability and well-produced tone at the highest level with which the applicant is comfortable. Selection must be memorized. Please bring a track of your accompaniment on CD or downloaded directly on a device (no internet streaming).

Evaluation will be based on:

• tone quality
• technique (posture, breath management, legato style)
• pitch and rhythmic accuracy
• intonation
• diction (pure vowels, clear consonants, authentic diction)
• expressiveness (dynamics, phrasing, tempo)
• musical effect (6 elements: artistry, stage presence, appearance, emotion, memorization, choice of literature)

2. Applicant will sing a familiar song (e.g. “Happy Birthday.”) Applicant will also sing tones back
from chords played on the piano.

Evaluation will be based on:

• aural memory (accuracy of pitch, range accessibility)

3. Applicant will sing back a series of notes from short melodies played on the piano. Five examples
of progressive difficulty will be given.

Evaluation will be based on:

• aural memory, accuracy and intonation

4. Applicant will sight-read several measures after 30 seconds of visual study.

Evaluation will be based on:

• accurate performance of each measure

5. Applicant will participate in an interview.

 

*Note Regarding Solo Selection: Applicants may choose any song they wish for their solo. However, recommended selections appear in: Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Vol. I & II, Jay Althouse, Alfred Publishing Company.

Attire: Applicants should dress comfortably and tastefully in clothing that does not inhibit or restrict free movement. Clothing should completely cover the thighs, mid-section, back and chest when moving. Shoes should allow for safe, grounded and comfortable movement. No hanging jewelry. Do not wear a costume!

1. Physical Improvisation Exercises:
   • Applicant will participate in a series of exercises in a group led by a member of the WBRHS acting faculty. Evaluation of the physical improvisation exercises will be based on:
     • Ability to make clear, bold, specific physical choices that demonstrate freedom of movement, the ability to follow impulse and the willingness to take risks.
2. Applicant will verbally present one monologue (see criteria below). The monologue should be longer than 45 seconds in length.
   • The Monologue should follow the following guidelines:
     • Sourced from a published play written in the last 100 years
     • 45 seconds in length
     • Fully memorized
   • Evaluation of the monologue will be based on:
     • Energy & emotional investment
     • Focus, concentration and control
     • Clarity of storytelling (sense of imagination, discovery, communicating the meaning of the words)
     • Specific & appropriate character choices (physical gesture, style of piece)
     • Honest and truthful behavior in performance
     • Vocal quality (volume, diction, breath support, inflection)
3. Applicant will be challenged to a redirect (perform in a different way with specific direction) on one of the prepared monologues.
   • Evaluation of the redirect will be based on:
     • Willingness to take direction & ability to follow instructions
     • Success implementing the requested direction
4. Interview; All applicants will participate in an interview.
   • Evaluation of the interview will be based on:
     • Current involvment in theater
     • Ability to communicate ideas and goals
     • Potential for professional success

Attire: Applicants should dress comfortably and tastefully in clothing that does not inhibit or restrict free movement. Clothing should completely cover the thighs, mid-section, back and chest when moving. Shoes should allow for safe, grounded and comfortable movement. No hanging jewelry. Do not wear a costume!

The goal of the Musical Theatre audition is to get to know each applicant as a storyteller via acting, singing, and dancing. While emphasis is placed on execution of measurable skills, we are largely interested in learning who each applicant is and what artistry they will contribute to our ensemble. Girls should wear black leggings or jazz pants and boys should wear black sweatpants. Please wear jazz shoes if possible.

1. Dance Combination: Applicant will perform a dance combination taught in a group by musical theatre faculty.
   • Evaluation of the dance combination will be based on:
     • Retention (learning movement quickly with little or no repetition of instruction)
     • Execution (demonstrating coordination, dance technique and rhythmic accuracy of movement)
     • Storytelling via movement
2. Applicant will perform a musical theatre song.
   Applicant will prepare a verse and a chorus of a musical theatre song that showcases the applicant's ability. Applicant will sing to a track, which they will bring with them to the audition. The applicant will connect their track to a Bluetooth speaker at the audition, provided by WBRHS. This can be done with the applicant’s phone.
   • Evaluation of the song will be based on:
     • Energy & Emotional Investment
     • Clarity of storytelling (sense of imagination, discovery, communicating the meaning of the words)
     • Specific & appropriate character choices (physical gesture, style of piece)
     • Honest & truthful behavior in performance
     • Intonation
     • Vocal quality (rhythm, inflection, rhythm, volume, diction, breath support)
3. SING NOTE
   Applicant will sing a series of notes played on the piano in real-time.
   • Evaluation will be based on:
     • Aural memory and intonation
4. Interview and Written Response
   Applicants will participate in a written response.
   • Evaluation of the interview will be based on:
     • Current involvement in theatre
     • Ability to communicate ideas and goals
     • Expression of creative/ artistic vision

Applicants must have a 2.0 GPA to apply and should submit a portfolio of their work demonstrating their creativity, interests, and technical ability. An email will be sent to applicants in mid-late December detailing the portfolio submission procedure and deadline.

Portfolio Requirements

1. Please submit 3-5 original pieces (as a PDF) showcasing a range of projects that should include at least three of the following:
   • Digital illustrations
   • Graphic designs (logos, posters, brochures)
   • Website mockups
   • Animations
   • Typography experiments
     
     Ensure your work is high-resolution and well-presented and be sure to submit pieces that show your unique style and creativity.
2. A written explanation about the uploaded pieces of original artwork in your portfolio.
   Discuss choice of subject, motivation, and influences. Why would you choose Digital
   Design as your Academy choice? Your written explanations should be no more than 500 words.
3. Please submit entire packet (portfolio pieces and explanations) as a PDF file.