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Auditions and Interviews

General Information:

What do I have to do to enter the School of the Arts?

  • Complete a qualifying audition as an applicant to these majors/minors/concentrations in the School of the Arts:
    • Music Major
    • Musical Theatre Major
    • Dance Minor or Concentration
    • Piano Pedagogy Minor
  • Submit a digital portfolio or samples of actual artwork as an applicant to these majors:
    • Art Studio Major
  • Apply for admission to SUNY College at Geneseo following standard procedures established by the State University of New York (your High School guidance counselor can provide you with the necessary forms and instructions, or you can see the Geneseo admissions web page ).  This applies to all prospective students.
  • Decisions for admission to the College in one of those majors or minors will be based on high school academic records, results of college entrance examinations, and results of School of the Arts auditions.

When should I audition?

  • There is an upcoming audition for the Musical Theatre Major, for students applying for admission in Fall 2012.  The audition will be held Saturday, November 19 2011.
    • Reserve your audition spot by contacting Tammy Farrell at farrell@geneseo.edu or (585) 245-5824.  If you are unable to attend the audition, contact Tammy to discuss alternative audition times.
  • It is recommended that high school seniors interview or audition before March 1 of the year preceding entrance to Geneseo, although on-campus interviews and auditions may take place virtually any time of the year by individual appointment. There will be auditions on February 4 and February 18, 2012 for admission to the Musical Theater major.
  • It is in your best interests to become familiar with the campuses and programs of all schools you are considering. On your campus trip, you can include visits to Theatre, Music, or Dance classes or productions, interviews in the Office of Admission and other departments of the College, and a campus tour.

Why do I need to apply?

  • The purposes of the interview/audition process are to assess whether your background is appropriate and sufficient for the program of study and to assess your potential to successfully complete the program.

What is an audition for the Geneseo School of the Arts like?

  • The Geneseo experience includes sufficient warm-up time and the opportunity to perform all of the prepared material.
  • You will learn the results of your application to the School of Performing Arts immediately.
  • The Geneseo faculty, fully understanding of audition anxieties, makes every attempt to make the experience as positive and friendly as possible. Indeed, we are eager for you to do your very best.

Audition/Interview Requirements:

Art Studio Major Dance Minor/Concentration
 Music Major
 Music Minor
Musical Theatre Major
Theatre Major

 

Art Studio Major

On November 18, 2010, it was announced that the Studio Art program is being de-activated, effective immediately.

 

Due to this action, students applying for admission to SUNY Geneseo will no longer be able to make an application to major in Studio Art. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused current applicants. If you are an applicant to Geneseo, and have any questions about this issue and your application to attend SUNY Geneseo, please contact the Office of Admissions, at 585-245-5571 or at admissions@geneseo.edu.

 

Students who are currently enrolled at SUNY Geneseo as Studio Art majors or minors will be afforded the opportunity to finish the program and earn their degree during the next three years. If you are a current Geneseo student, and have any questions regarding this issue, please contact Dr. Savi Iyer, Associate Dean of the College at 585-245-5541 or at iyer@geneseo.edu.


Dance Minor or Concentration

  • Dance auditions for admission in Fall 2012 will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012 and Saturday, February 18, 2012 (9:30am to 12:00pm).
    • arrive by 9:00am to complete an audition form and warm-up.
    • provide a 3x5 photo of self (in leotard and tights) in First Arabesque Position to attach to audition form.
    • bring a resumé to attach to the audition form.
    • bring ballet and jazz shoes, and be prepared to dance in bare feet.
    • download additional audition information here.
    • If you can not attend the audition dates but wish to audition for the dance program please contact Lori Morsch (585) 245-5841 or morschl@geneseo.edu
  • The audition class will include:
    • ballet barre
    • ballet enchaînement (combination)
    • modern spinal column warm-up
    • modern phrase
    • jazz phrase
    • interview with Dance Faculty


Music Major

 

Music Major: Performance Option-Voice

  •  
    • Three contrasting, memorized art songs, including one foreign language, that demonstrate classical singing technique.
    • No period or composer requirements.
    • Applicants may be requested to sight read.
    • Résumé.
    • Geneseo will provide an accompanist.



Music Major: Performance Option-Piano
  •  
    • Three contrasting, memorized pieces equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA Level V or VI.
    • No period or composer requirements.
    • Applicants also may be requested to play scales and arpeggios, and sight read.
    • Résumé.



Music Major: Performance Option-Brass, Strings, or Winds
  •  
    • Three contrasting pieces equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level V or VI.
    • No period or composer requirements.
    • Memorization is not required, though strongly encouraged.
    • Applicants may be asked to play scales and arpeggios in various keys and to sight read.
    • Résumé.
    • If requested with sufficient notice, Geneseo can provide an accompanist.



Music Major: Performance Option-Percussion
  •  
    • Three selections equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA level V or VI; one each on snare, timpani, and melodic percussion.
    • Applicants also may be requested to tune timpani, play scales and arpeggios on a melodic instrument, and sight read.
    • Résumé.



Music Major: Composition Option
  •  
    • Three original compositions fully notated either by hand or computer application, with audio recordings if available.
    • Piano proficiency at the level of Bartok's Mikrokosmos Book 1, Anna Magdelene Bach Notebook; major and minor scales with up to two flats or sharps, at moderate speed.
    • Performance of one instrumental or vocal selection that demonstrates proficiency for admission into one of Geneseo's instrumental or choral ensembles.
    • Applicants also may be requested to sight read.
    • Résumé.



Music Major: Conducting Option
  •  
    • Interview with Conducting Faculty.
    • Piano proficiency at the level of Bartok's Mikrokosmos Book 1, Anna Magdelene Bach Notebook; major and minor scales with up to two flats or sharps, at moderate speed.
    • Performance of one instrumental or vocal selection that demonstrates proficiency for admission into one of Geneseo's instrumental or choral ensembles.
    • Applicants also may be requested to sight read.
    • Résumé.



Music Major: History and Literature, Music Theory, Ethnomusicology Options
  •  
    • Interview with History, Theory, or Ethnomusicology Faculty.
    • Piano proficiency at the level of Bartok's Mikrokosmos Book 1, Anna Magdelene Bach Notebook; major and minor scales with up to two flats or sharps, at moderate speed.
    • Performance of one instrumental or vocal selection that demonstrates proficiency for admission into either Chamber Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, String Band, Chamber Singers, Spectrum Women's Ensemble, Festival Chorus, or other current performance group.
    • Applicants also may be requested to sight read.
    • Résumé.



Music Minor: Piano Pedagogy

  • Three contrasting, memorized pieces equivalent in difficulty to NYSSMA Level V or VI.
  • No period or composer requirements.
  • Applicants also may be requested to play scales and arpeggios and sight read.
  • Résumé.



Musical Theatre Major

  • Musical Theatre auditions for admission in Fall 2012 will be held Saturday, November 19, 2011, Saturday, February 4, 2012, or Saturday, February 18, 2012.
    • Reserve your audition spot by contacting Tammy Farrell at farrell@geneseo.edu or (585) 245-5824.  If you are unable to attend either of the audition dates, contact Tammy to discuss alternative audition times.
  • Three memorized songs in contrasting styles: two art songs, one in a foreign language, that demonstrate classical singing technique; one musical theatre song.
    • No period or composer requirements.
    • Applicants also may be requested to sight read.
    • Résumé
    • Geneseo will provide an accompanist.
  • Two memorized monologues of two to three minutes duration each, one serious and one comic.
    • No style or period requirements.
  • Participate in a dance technique class at the appropriate level for purposes of assessment
    • For those without formal technique, take a Jazz 1 or other College 100-level technique class at Geneseo on the day of the audition and demostrate the potential for success.
  • Submit an actor's résumé.

 


Theatre Major: Performance Students and Theatre/English Major

  • As of September 1, 2009, there is no longer an audition required for the Theatre or Theatre/English Major.
  • Applicants interested in special talent admission to the College can schedule an audition or a design interview in the fall semester; contact Lori Morsch (585) 245-5841 or morschl@geneseo.edu.