AUDITION REQUIREMENTS &
ASSESSMENTS
Visual and Performing Arts Program
The IRCHS VAPA program provides students with a learning environment to excel in the fine arts.
Six artistic disciplines are offered: dance, theatre arts, music-vocal, music-instrumental, visual
arts, and creative writing. Each course of study goes beyond the basic Florida High School
graduation requirements. Students must take the required foundational, historical, and
theoretical classes germane to their specific discipline. This is paramount to their development
as a complete and multi-dimensional student of the arts. The school offers two tracks of learning:
one for the experienced student who has significant training in an artistic area and desires to
work more diligently in that area; and one for the beginning student who wishes to explore
his/her interest in the creative arts.
In addition to participating in the IRCHS Core Curriculum Program, the artistic disciplines further
the connections made with the thematic time periods by studying the art, music, dance, drama,
and literature of the times. Each semester culminates with a final performance blending all the
disciplines. This presentation demonstrates the knowledge and improvement gained by the
students throughout the semester.
VAPA DAY 2015 Schedule:
10:00
10:15
10:30
11:30
11:45
12:30
2:00 -
– Arri val
- I n t r od u cti o n of t h e VAPA Pr o g a m w/ Dr . Ra y Ad a ms
- I n di vi d u al Pr og r a m I n t r o d u ctio n s a n d Pe r fo r ma n ce s
- Au di tio n Sig n - up Pe ri o d
- L UNCH!
- Pro g r a m Au d i ti o n s
Bye fo r n o w! !
DANCE
The IRCHS Dance Program prepares students to succeed in postsecondary college programs and prestigious dance companies. Many
students have gone on to study and dance with the Royal Swedish
Ballet, Joffery Ballet School, Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical
Ballet, Amercian Ballet Theatre, The Tallahassee Ballet and the
Florida School of the Arts. In addition to the academic and
professional level, many of IRCHS high school students have achieved
high gold platinum, high platinum and scholarship awards at
competitions such as L.A. Dance Magic and the World Famous
National High School Dance Festival.
Courses Offe red
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Ballet 1, 2, 3, 4
Dance Kinesiology
Dance Techniques 1, 2, 3, 4
Dance Competition Team
Instructors
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Hedi Khursandi ([email protected])
Cherith Bounds ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Students will participate in a 60 minute class. During this class, students will warm up, stretch, and perform simple
movements and choreography.
Audition Assessme nt
During the class the instructors will assess technique, flexibility, and ability to learn choreography. All students will
be placed in a dance class that best meets their abilities.
INSTRUMENTAL
The IRCHS Jazz Studies, Orchestra and Percussion programs perform
all in stand-alone settings and in collaboration with the other
departments. They've recently completed a very successful run of
Tarzan with the musical theater company at Charter. They've
performed works ranging from Shostakovich's Waltz No. 2 to
Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar-Overture. The IRCHS Instrumental
Program encompasses all styles of music and prepares students for
the finest music schools in the country.
Courses Offe red
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Orchestra 1, 2, 3, 4
Percussion Ensemble 1, 2, 3, 4
Jazz Ensemble 1, 2, 3, 4
Beginning Guitar 1
Music Theory 1, 2, AP
World Music
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Music Technology and Sound Engineering
Guitar Techniques
Bass Techniques
Percussion Techniques
Wind Techniques
Instructors
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Dr. Ray Adams ([email protected])
David Mundy ([email protected])
David Heroux ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Applicants will meet the Directors and have an opportunity to showcase themselves on their instrument. The
auditions will be in 5 minute increments. We are looking for dedicated students who have the desire and willingness
to be a part of an award-winning music program. Opportunities will be given to all students to express themselves,
learn, and improvise with music. Prepare something to play perhaps a song or piece of music 30 seconds long. Playing
scales and sight reading are not required, but could be asked depending on the applicant.
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Guitar: basic chords, riffs or songs
Bass: rock funk or jazz basslines
Drummers: rudiments, grooves (funk, rock, jazz, pop)
Orchestral instruments: bring something you have been working on or performing with your current
orchestra or concert band.
Audition Assessme nt
This is a placement audition. You cannot fail. It will help us decide which course is best for you. We are looking for
dedicated students who have the desire and willingness to be a part of an award winning music program.
You will be assessed in the following categories:
• Skill Level
• Technique
• Quality of Sound
• Dynamics/Expressiveness
CHORAL
The IRCHS Choral Program has the most consistent Superior ratings at
District and State MPA in the Indian River County. The department
has been awarded the three-time Grand Champions at Music USA
Universal Studios Competition, are four-time attendees of Carnegie
Hall, New York City, NY, and have travelled to Syros, Greece to
perform at the Aegean Sea Festival. The program has received
invitations to all major university honor choir programs.
Courses Offe red
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Chorus 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Vocal Ensemble 1, 2
Music Theory 1, 2, AP
World Music
Instructors
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Gary Miller ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
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Sing a short sampling of a prescribed simple classical Art Song
Sing a short sampling of a prescribed commercial song (POP, Broadway, Country, etc.- no rap, scream, or
harsh metal)
Do a short written test to assess your musical knowledge
Audition Assessme nt
This is a placement audition. You cannot fail. As you consider being a part of the IRCHS Choral program, please
remember you are joining a group of young people that have achieved a great deal of success in this musical
discipline. Both the students and I are excited about welcoming new students to continue the development and the
tradition of success that others have established in the early years of Charter.
THEATRE (ACTING)
The IRCHS Theatre (acting) program has consistently received
Superior ratings at district and state acting competitions. The
comprehensive acting troupe has been awarded the highest honor of
being selected three consecutively years as the Mainstage
performance at the Florida State Thespians Festival, the largest high
school theatre organization in the world.
Courses Offe red
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Acting 1 (introduction to acting)
Acting 2 Technique Training)
Acting 3 (Acting for College)
Comp Acting (competitive acting troupe)
Drama (theatre history, design and analysis)
Instructors
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Michael Naffziger ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Prepare (off book) one of the four monologues listed on the website www.irchstheatre.org under ‘Auditions’. You
will be given 2 minutes to audition.
Audition Assessme nt
This is a placement audition. You cannot fail. It will help us decide which course is best for you. In acting you are
assessed in the following categories:
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Voice (projection, diction and color)
Movement (connecting movement to emotion)
Risk (taking smart risk to enhance your audition)
Believability (is you character convincing)
Interpretation (the clarity of your perspective)
MUSICAL THEATRE
The IRCHS Musical Theatre program produces the annual musical
through rigorous training, by multiple instructors, in the disciplines of
acting, dance and song. VAPA musicals are held in high regard by the
local and professional community and are considered to be at a
college and/or professional level. VAPA musicals involve nearly 10%
of the student population on campus.
Courses Offe red
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Musical Theatre 1, 2, 3, 4
*Students will audition for the next year’s musical in the spring of the prior school year. Students who are
cast in the musical then will add Musical Theatre on their schedule
Instructors
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Michael Naffziger (acting) – ([email protected])
Gary Miller (vocals) – ([email protected])
Hedi Khursandi (dance) – ([email protected])
Cher Bounds (dance) – ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
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Sing 30 – 60 seconds of any song (A Capella) that highlights your vocal range
Connect to what you are singing, let us see your acting while you sing
Come dressed to move
You will learn a short movement piece (nothing difficult) to assess your ability to move
Audition Assessme nt
This is a placement audition. You cannot fail. It will help us decide which course is best for you. If you do not make
it into the musical, you will be placed in a dance or vocal class to help you prepare for your next musical audition.
TECHNICAL THEATRE
The IRCHS Technical Theatre Program designs, constructs and
operates all technical components of every VAPA performance on and
off campus. With over $100,000 worth of state of the art equipment,
technical theatre students graduate with a wealth of knowledge and
have gone on to work for theatres throughout the United States.
Courses Offe red
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Stagecraft 1 (Theatre Equipment/Demographics)
Stagecraft 2 (Set Construction)
Stagecraft 3 (Light and Sound Design)
Stagecraft 4 (Production management)
Scenic Design (Set and prop Construction)
Instructors
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Michael Naffziger ([email protected])
Liming Tang ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
No audition required. Students interested in the technical theatre program can take Stagecraft up to eight
semesters.
Please note that in order to take the class, students must be willing to:
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Work at heights up to twenty-two feet
Use power tools
Operate heavy machinery
Participate in intense physical labor on a regular basis
Audition Assessme nt
Students will sign a syllabus that will give permission to complete the tasks required of the stagecraft class.
VISUAL ARTS (2D)
The Visual Arts (2D) Department produces paintings, drawings, and
other flat works for display and contests on a local, state, and national
level. Student work is exhibited on regular basis in the 500 and 400
building student galleries and within the IRCHS Charter Dome. In
addition, students help to orchestrate installation and display of
thematic visuals for various performing arts shows throughout the
year. Students are encouraged to create compelling and challenging
work for college portfolios and scholarships.
Courses Offe red
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Painting 1, 2, 3 Honors
Drawing 1, 2, 3 Honors
Art 2D 1, 2
Instructors
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Ramayana Baba ([email protected])
Tony Kopp ([email protected])
Liming Tang ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Bring in up to 3 samples of your work in any of the following disciplines:
• Ceramics
• Drawing
• Painting
• Photography
• Sculpture
Audition Assessme nt
You are not required to bring in a formal portfolio, however presented work should best represent you as an artist
from simple sketches to your best photo.
VISUAL ARTS (3D)
The Visual Arts (3D) Department produces sculptures and ceramic
(clay) pieces for display and contests on a local, state, and national
level.
Courses Offe red
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Sculpture 1, 2
Ceramics 1, 2, 3 Honors, 4
Instructors
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Ramayana Baba ([email protected])
Tony Kopp ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Bring in photos of your 3 best sculpture or ceramics pieces.
Audition Assessme nt
You are not required to bring in a formal portfolio, however presented work should best represent you as an artist
from simple sketches to your best photo.
PHOTOGRAPHY &
DIGITAL ARTS
Photography courses utilize the digital camera to learn basic
operation, photo composition, and digital enhancement techniques
within Adobe Photoshop to produce compelling work for both print
and online display. Digital Arts courses use Adobe Photoshop as a
standalone artistic tool for fundamental to advanced techniques of
visual art.
Courses Offe red
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Photography 1, 2, 3, 4
Digital Arts
Commercial Art/Yearbook 1, 2, 3, 4
Instructors
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Tony Kopp ([email protected])
Jon Pine ([email protected])
Audition Requirement s
Bring in up to 10 photos that show mastery of photographic techniques.
*No portfolio is necessary for Digital Arts.
Audition Assessme nt
You are not required to bring in a formal portfolio, however presented work should best represent you as an artist
from simple sketches to your best photo.