Audition Requirements

1. Step 1: Submitting your Online Application (starting January 14th).
   After you submit your application successfully, you will be sent an email link to the website SLATE where you can upload your audition material and pay the $55 application fee.

   Step 2: Uploading your Audition Submission & Supplemental Material.

   Please note: You must have your application number in order to successfully begin this step. This application number is provided after completing the online application in Step 1.

   Submission Requirements

   Please note: These requirements only apply if you are applying as a Participant. If you want to apply to multiple workshops, you only need to submit one application.

   Past experience in screen scoring is not required. To be considered as a Participant, you will need to submit 3-6 audio/video files & corresponding documents to showcase your music. Submit your best work, regardless of its connection to the workshop you are applying to. We are not judging your past experience in the field, but your overall composing / production skills. 

   For each audio/video file, you must include a PDF explaining the purpose or context of the piece/track, the composing process, technical details if applicable (libraries used, sound processors, software, etc.) and any other relevant information.
   
   If you are applying to the Film Scoring Workshop: Orchestral Ensemble Track, at least two of the pieces submitted must be for orchestra or large ensemble, and you must submit a score for each of them. If you are applying to other workshops, you can also submit a score or sketch for your pieces, optionally. 

Submit TWO contrasting recordings (either audio or video), which best represent your playing – if possible, we encourage you to submit one solo recording and one chamber recording, though this is not required. Your submitted recordings are not for "audition" purposes, but rather for placement. NYU Steinhardt Sandbox Percussion Seminar participants will be sent chamber music to prepare for rehearsals with artist faculty and performance in an iconic NYU contemporary music venue. Chamber group assignments will be made based on your placement recording, experience level, and previously performed repertoire. Pre-existing percussion groups are welcome to apply and attend the Seminar together – please make a note on your application if you are applying as a group.

If you are applying for scholarship, please submit one additional audio or video recording (2 total) and complete the following;

A written personal statement (500 words maximum) that answers the following questions:

• What do you hope to get out of this seminar
• How will you use the skills learned in this seminar to make a positive contribution to your community?
• What unique qualities do you possess that make you a good fit for this scholarship?

Workshop Not Running 2022

Please video-record all audition materials, upload, and submit them with your application. See the instructions below for more information about what to submit.

Video Auditions:

Video auditions should be submitted along with the MPAP Summer Programs application no later than April 12. To submit a video audition, upload the file to the Digital Portfolio section of the application. A follow-up video interview with the LFS program staff will be scheduled with each applicant individually.

Audition Instructions:

For your audition, please prepare 2 of the following audition materials:

• Monologue
  • Perform a 1-2 minute Shakespearean monologue.  
• Vocal 
  • Sing a 1-2 minute cut of any song.
• Instrumental 
  • Play a 1-2 minute cut of any song.
• Movement
  • Creatively move or dance for 1 minute to any song.
  • Movement can include dance or creative gesture using the body and face. You don’t have to be a trained dancer; we just want to see you use your body to be expressive! 

Notes for singers and musicians

• Please prepare any song you enjoy singing/playing! 
• Don’t feel like you have to replicate a song as it was originally sung or played. In fact, we’d like to see how you interpret the song and make it your own!
• If you are a singer AND an instrumentalist and would like to submit separate songs for each discipline, you may do so. Individuals who wish to accompany themselves on their instrument while singing are also welcome to do so.

Email looking4shakespeare@nyu.edu if you have any questions.

Audition for Summer 2022 - TBD

Recommendation letter (required): Recommenders should be chosen from people most familiar with your former or current studies, musical interests, or work. Friends, family members, or guardians should not write the letters of recommendation. Examples of people who should write letter of recommendation include teachers of music and/or music technology related subjects, guidance counselors, work, or internship supervisors.

The required recommendation letters are to be submitted within your application directly (instruction are provided in regards to having the recommender uploading it themselves). Optional but highly recommended: Please submit one audition video of the applicant playing a musical instrument or singing from sheet music or audio recording showing your instrument/voice recording and mixing skills.

• Creative resume, a document that includes major solo works you have studied and/or performed recently 
• Video recording: Conducting video no longer than 10 minutes. We appreciate that some may not have a conducting video from a live performance. This will not impact your acceptance. Videos of you conducting to a recording are acceptable. Material can be from a show or from a classical work.

• Creative resume, a document that includes the following: major solo works you have studied and/or performed recently 
• Video recordings: 2 works or excerpts of larger works, no longer than 15 minutes

Submit three video clips consisting of the following material:

Introduction: Please say your name clearly, the date, the city you are from, and the pieces that you are going to perform. Two songs: Your two selections should be complete and contrasting songs. Each selection should be no longer than four minutes. One of your songs must be in English and the other in a foreign language – Italian, German, French, or Spanish. Live or recorded piano must accompany you (no a capella singing).

Rather than a single long video, we would like three separate clips: the introduction, the first song, and the second song. It’s easier for us to review and easier for you to shoot. We will not be influenced by the professional quality of the video. Please do not worry about any elaborate lighting or studio conditions. Please make sure your voice can be heard above the accompaniment – try different distances from the sound source until you find the right “balance” between piano and voice.

In addition to the above videos, please submit the following:

Resume: Your resume should reflect your experience as a performing artist and may include experience and training in solo voice, choral, theater, musical instruments and dance. Please include foreign language study and any special skills that you would like to share with us. Headshot or recent photograph: Again we are not looking for a professional quality photograph. If you have a headshot, that is fine. If not, a recent snapshot will suffice.

Please prepare two contrasting songs of your choice from the contemporary repertoire. Selections can include any genres you'd like: pop, rock, country, classical, jazz, musical theatre, R&B, etc. Please upload the two selections as two separate videos. You may choose to showcase the contrast in your selections by:

Choosing songs in different styles that will allow you to demonstrate contrasting vocalisms.
Choosing songs in similar styles that explore different aspects of your voice.
Choosing a ballad versus an uptempo, where you can demonstrate the ability to sing sustained/legato lines versus singing a patter song or a song with a moderate to fast tempo.

Your video should count with the collaboration of a live musician (pianist, guitarist, etc.) However, due to the current circumstances, applicants who do not have a video submission of their song selections pre-recorded with a live pianist may submit recordings using tracks for summer 2022 submissions.

Submit three video clips consisting of the following material: the introduction, the first song, and the second song. Submit three video clips consisting of the following material: Introduction: Please say your name clearly, the date, the city you are from, and the pieces that you are going to perform. Two songs: Your two selections should be complete and contrasting songs – each no longer than four minutes. Choose material from music theatre repertoire – but please avoid rock, pop, country, and jazz. Your video should count with the collaboration of a live musician (pianist, guitarist, etc.). However, due to the current circumstances, applicants who do not have a video submission of their song selections pre-recorded with a live pianist may submit recordings using tracks for summer 2022 submissions.

Rather than a single long video, we would like three separate clips: the introduction, the first song, and the second song. It’s easier for us to review and easier for you to shoot. We will not be influenced by the professional quality of the video. Please do not worry about any elaborate lighting or studio conditions.

Please make sure your voice can be heard above the accompaniment – try different distances from the sound source until you find the right “balance” between piano and voice.

In addition to the above videos, please submit:

Resume: Your resume should reflect your theatre performance experience. Think “theatre resume” rather than “academic resume” for this. Headshot or recent photograph: Again we are not looking for a professional quality photograph. If you have a headshot, that is fine. If not, a recent snapshot will suffice.

Submit recordings with two contrasting selections no longer than ten minutes. 

Creative Resume Requirements, please include:

• Any chamber music experience you may have had in the past (i.e., other summer programs, private study, school quintet) 
• Large ensemble experience
• Honors ensembles and/or youth orchestra experience 
• Solo repertoire