Dance

The dance program at Fort Caroline is classically based, focusing on ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques. During the audition, the student will learn and perform a ballet and modern dance combination sequence.  For a successful audition, the student should be able to consistently, efficiently, and effectively demonstrate coordination through movement, at least basic technical skills such as alignment, extension through the feet and legs, rotation, use of plie, core support, and port de bras efficiently. Timing and sequence should be accurate with musicality and skills working together to enhance performance quality. Students should demonstrate passionate focus and high awareness of the body throughout the audition.

Attire: Girls should wear black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers, while boys should wear a white t-shirt/tank, black tights/sweatpants, and ballet/jazz shoes, with hair secured. Students interested in auditioning for Dance must be dressed in appropriate dance attire: Girls: black leotard, pink tights, and ballet slippers. Kids- White tank top or t-shirt with black tights or sweatpants, and ballet or jazz sneakers. Hair should be safely removed from the face, neck, and ears. Students will perform some ballet and modern dance combinations, as well as some ballet barre exercises.

Instrumental Music (Band and Orchestra)

Our Band and Orchestra art areas accept beginners!  Rising 6th grade students do not need to know how to play an instrument already.  Students should be aware of the differences between Band (instruments you blow air into or hit or strike to produce a sound) and Orchestra (stringed instruments like violin).  Students should demonstrate ANY music knowledge or experience they have such as playing Orff instruments, guitar, piano, or recorder, if they have that ability.  Rising 7th & 8th grade students should have some experience and be prepared to perform a small exercise/excerpt of music on their instrument.  Students should demonstrate a clear, characteristic tone, accurate notes, rhythm, and intonation, and perform with a steady pulse.

*All students will be given a basic theory assessment to determine the level of understanding they have in basic music terms, signs and symbols. The assessment is for scheduling placement only once student gets accepted.

Chorus

A successful vocal/chorus audition includes a performance with accurate pitches, a uniform, controlled tone, clear diction/articulation and stylistically correct.   During the guided exercises students will demonstrate knowledge of solfege and have little to no difficulty singing back what is sung or played to them, while also demonstrating their knowledge of basic musical terms and symbols. Students will actively and energetically participate in the audition process. Students interested in auditioning for the choir should be prepared to sing an 8-bar exercise, demonstrated by the choir director. Students will be asked to repeat some simple melodies after hearing them played on the piano. Students should also be prepared to sing 30 seconds of a song of their choice. This song can be as simple as "Happy Birthday." Students will also take a basic music theory placement test

Theater

For a successful Theater audition, the first step is to submit a recorded monologue. Student should state their name, the title of their monologue, the name of the play and the author very clearly. The monologue performance should be completely memorized.  In the performance, the student should use their voice inflections (pitch, tone, tempo), gestures, facial expressions, varied and purposeful blocking* and actions to reflect the character’s emotions. to communicate the character’s emotions. For the improvisation, the student should create a distinct character and maintain it throughout the performance.  Successful improvisation* occurs with the student's commitment to become the character during the improvisation.  Student should make strong choices that result in a dynamic interpretation of the improvised task.

*Blocking is precise, planned movement and positioning to assist with storytelling.

*Improvisation is a type of live performance where characters, dialogue and scenes are created spontaneously. The audition process consists of two parts:

Part I:     Video Requirements for Theater:  Video submission via TEAMS.

• Slate: Your name, current grade and art area should appear in the beginning of the video and should be CREATIVELY presented!

• Student should record and perform a memorized monologue that is age appropriate.

Part II: In person Interview and improvisation for Theater

o   Students should be prepared to perform a short improvisation and be interviewed by the instructor.