Institute for the Arts
Auditions/Portfolio Reviews/Student Schedules

Requirements Dance | Music | Theatre Arts |Visual Arts |

Auditions, Portfolio Reviews, and Student Schedules
Auditions are used for placement purposes only and not for admission to IFTA. Course descriptions contain audition and portfolio review requirements. Courses not requiring an audition are open to any student meeting the grade-level requirement.

Where
Robinson Secondary School, 5035 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA.

Auditions/portfolio reviews for all classes will be held both evenings.

All students must check in at the registration table and will then receive audition location information.

All student schedules are finalized after auditions and are mailed 7-10 days before the program starts.

Dance

• Sign in to receive an audition number.
• All advanced-level dance classes (levels II and III) include a group audition. All dancers are taught a dance combination, assessed on their performance, and assigned to the appropriate class.
• Note: A Level II or III class does not mean the number of years a student has taken dance. Students are placed into classes based on their technical skill and dance presentation.
• Appropriate dance shoes and clothing are necessary. Please follow these guidelines: Ballet—leotard and tights; Tap and Jazz—form-fitting top, form-fitting leggings of any length; Modern Dance—leotard and footless tights. Please wear solid colors, have hair secured off the neck, and minimize jewelry. No thongs or bare midriffs.

The following courses require an audition for class placement. Audition times apply to both evenings.

6:30 pm         
MODERN DANCE-ADVANCED - (IFT0651)
Grades 7-12

7:00 pm         
BALLET INTERMEDIATE - (IFT0151)
BALLET ADVANCED - (IFT 0161)
Grades 7-12

7:30 pm         
JAZZ DANCE II - (IFT0551)
JAZZ DANCE III - (IFT0561)
Grades 7-12

8:00 pm         
TAP II - (IFT0851)
TAP III - (IFT0861)
Grades 7-12

Music

• Sign in to receive an audition number.
• Bring your own band and/or string instrument.
• All music auditions are conducted individually on a drop-in basis from 6:30 pm to 8:15 pm.

The following courses require an audition or a diagnostic test for class placement:

ADVANCED VOCAL TECHNIQUES (IFT1056)
Grades 10-12
Students prepare and perform a short musical selection.

BASS GUITAR II (IFT1221)
Grades 7-12
Students are required to prepare and perform a short musical selection. Be prepared to sight-read a selection utilizing all four strings, in first position, using quarter and eighth note rhythms.

ELECTRONIC MUSIC LAB
Grades 7-9 (IFT1113)
Grades 10-12 (IFT1116)
Students should be able to read music in both treble and bass clefs. All students must take a diagnostic test.

Garage Band (IFT1446)
Grades 9-12
Students prepare and perform a short musical selection and sight-read.

GUITAR II (IFT1251)
Grades 7-12
Students are required to prepare and perform a short musical selection. Be prepared to sight-read a selection utilizing all six strings, in first position, using quarter and eighth note rhythms.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MUSIC ASSISTANCE (IFT1561)
Grades 10-12
Students should come prepared to discuss the requirements of their portfolio summer assignment.

JAZZ BAND
(IFT1351) Intermediate Level
(IFT1361) Advanced Level
Grades 7-12
Students will perform what they can of the following: major scales, a chromatic scale, a short musical selection, and a sight reading piece.

MUSIC THEORY (IFT1511)
Grades 7-12
Students must take a diagnostic test.

PIANO–ADVANCED (IFT1761)
Grades 7-12
Students prepare and perform a short musical selection and sight-read. A brief interview with the piano teacher may be required.

SHOW CHOIR
(IFT1010) Intermediate Level
(IFT1011) Advanced Level
Grades 7-12
Students prepare and perform a short musical selection.

STRING ORCHESTRA
(IFT1851) Intermediate Level
(IFT1861)Advanced Level
Grades 7-12
Orchestra audition includes the playing of major scales and a short sight reading.

WIND ENSEMBLE
(IFT1951) Intermediate Level
(IFT1961)Advanced Level
Grades 7-12
Students will perform what they can of the following: major scales, a chromatic scale, a short musical selection, and a sight reading piece.

Theatre Arts

• Sign in to receive an audition number

MUSICAL THEATRE II (IFT3717)
Grades 10-12
Students should bring sheet music from a Broadway show and be prepared to sing for two minutes. A piano will be available (no CDs).  

VIDEOGRAPHY II (IFT4117)
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite:  IFTA Videography I OR
Bring a video of previously recorded material (mini DV) for review.

Visual Arts

• Sign in to receive an audition number

CARTOONING–BEYOND THE BASICS (IFT5154)
Grades 9-12 
Prerequisite:  IFTA Cartooning Basics OR
Students bring 12 samples of cartooning work.

CARTOONING–ADVANCED (IFT5164)
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: IFTA Cartooning: Beyond the Basics OR
Students bring 12 samples of cartooning work.

CERAMICS II (IFT5254)
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Ceramics I OR
Students bring 12 samples of ceramic work.

COMPUTER GRAPHICS–ADVANCED (IFT5365)
Grades 8-12
Prerequisite: Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator OR
Students bring 12 samples of computer graphics work.

COMPUTER GRAPHIC DESIGN (IFT5415)
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: Computer Graphics OR
Students bring 12 samples of graphic design work.

PASTEL PROJECTS AND ADVANCED TECHNIQUES (IFT6325)
Grades 9-12
Prerequisite: IFTA Pastels I OR
Students bring 12 samples of pastel work.

PHOTOGRAPHY II (IFT6420)
Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: IFTA Photography I OR
Students bring 12 samples of photography work.

PHOTO LAB AND DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (IFT6556)
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Photography or HS equivalent OR
Students bring 12 samples of photography work.

VISUAL ARTS PORTFOLIO PREPARATION (IFT7066)
Grades 10-12
Bring your current portfolio for review with the department chair. Portfolio should contain samples from a variety of media.

Watercolor I (IFT6610)
Grades 10-12
Students bring 12 samples of artwork.

Contact Information

Institute for the Arts Main Office
703-227-8446