Santa Susana High School
​Performing Arts Auditions
​
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 Vocal Music
Auditions for incoming students will take place
​LIVE on March 11th, 2023. 
​
​ Please see below for more information on the Vocal Music auditions. 

 The Santa Susana High School Vocal Music program is passionate about the musical growth of students. Through focused learning, practice and performance the SSHS choirs excel in their musicality and vitality. Working with expert accompanists, choreographers, and costumers, the experiences students gain are at a professional level. With opportunities throughout the year to collaborate with theatre, film and stagecraft students, as well as professionals in the industry, vocal music majors will gain an understanding of all of the options within the music profession.  

Students from the Santa Susana Vocal Music Program have gone on to attend colleges such as Berklee School of Music, Westminster Choir College, NYU TISH, Pace University, Harvey Mudd, AMDA, UCLA, USC, Syracuse, Bard University, and many more. Alumni are working in the music industry as singers, musicians, studio singers, talent agents, music therapists, sound design, choreographers, and more, all the way to Broadway.

Certificates are offered to students who complete the coursework for an academy emphasis in Vocal Music. Students who complete the certification program will leave with a portfolio of works performed in ensemble and solo performances and a comprehensive understanding of different genres within vocal music. The program currently is comprised of six different types of vocal music classes.

Here is a brief description of the Choirs offered:
Concert Choir: An ensemble for beginning to advanced treble clef singers
Vocal Ensemble: An ensemble for beginning to advanced mixed singers

Show Choir: A mixed voice ensemble for beginning to advanced singers that focuses on Musical Theatre style performances
Chamber Choir: An ensemble for intermediate to advanced treble clef singers
Abbe Road A Cappella: An advanced group of mixed singers focused on A Cappella music

ALL CHOIRS perform a variety of music and styles.
All choirs perform in three shows at school each year, as well as in the community and regionally.
All singers have opportunities for solos, and field trips.

For more information on the program please go to www.santasusanachoir.org 
For current student audition information please go to www.santasusanachoir.org/auditions.html
​To contact Mrs. Abbe please email bevin.abbe@simivalleyusd.org 

Click HERE to sign up for an audition slot

 The Process 

The Vocal Audition will consist of the performance of a prepared solo, evaluation of tonal memory and sight singing. Evaluation will also be based upon potential ability, performance skills and knowledge of music fundamentals. Students will be placed into the vocal class that best reflects their current vocal placement.​​ 
​

Evaluation Criteria:

Students will be evaluated individually. Areas of assessment will include:
● Tone Quality
● Rhythm
● Notes and Pitch
● Expression and Style
● Music Choice
● Tonal Memory
● Singing Lowest of Two Pitches
● Sight Reading
● Ability to receive feedback/constructive criticism


Vocal Auditions

SSHS Vocal Music Auditions 

Live auditions are for both incoming and returning students for classes.
​
Prior to auditioning, please fill out this Google Form and join the Auditions Remind (text @sshsau to 81010) 
​
If you are auditioning for more than one discipline, please check the boxes for all the departments you are auditioning for.

Please carefully read through the audition elements required for Vocal Music.

INCOMING LIVE AUDITIONS: March 11th, 2023

All singers will sing a one minute excerpt from a song that shows the best qualities of your voice. This song should be recognizable and be sung with Karaoke.


Concert Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Show Choir - Please be prepared to sing the following in person
  1. Sing a Major Scale starting on whatever note you’d like (the Do Re Mi scale) ​
  2. One minute of a song that shows off your voice, using karaoke
 SHOW CHOIR DANCE AUDITION VIDEO 
  1. Prepare for your dance audition, Dance 1. 
    1. The Dance 1 audition practice video is TBD


ADVANCED AUDITIONS: For incoming and current students
Incoming students can audition for Chamber Choir March 11th, but must complete the Flipgrid ahead of time. Abbe Road auditions include the pre-recorded Flipgrid, and the live portion will only take place on the date below.

Chamber Choir - Please submit one video that includes some of the following elements. Include an introduction in your video.
To be able to submit the FlipGrid, you need to join the group with the code 
512c2b90
  1. FLIPGRID- Due March 7th
    1. Scales Video - Turn in to FLIPGRID
      1. Sing a Major Scale starting on whatever note you’d like (the Do Re Mi scale)
      2. Sing a Chromatic Scale
      3. Sing the Do Re Do Mi exercise (^ is upper Do)
        1. Bottom up- Do Re Do Mi Do Fa Do Sol Do La Do Ti Do ^Do 
        2. Top Down- ^Do Ti ^Do La ^Do Sol ^Do Fa ^Do Mi ^Do Re ^Do Do
  2. IN PERSON - March 14 at Lunch 
    1. ​Solo Song - Sing a one minute section of a song of your choice with karaoke
    2. Song - Sing your vocal part to the following song 
      1. TBD
 Click HERE to sign up for Chamber Choir Auditions!

Abbe Road Auditions -  Please submit two recordings to FLIPGRID that includes the following elements. Include an introduction in your video. You will also submit a letter (due March 7th) saying why you should be chosen for Abbe Road. You may email the letter to bevin.abbe@simivalleyusd.org Please put "Abbe Road Letter" in the subject. 
To be able to submit the FlipGrid, you need to join the group with the code 
512c2b90
  1. FLIPGRID - Due March 7th 
    1. Scales Video - Turn in to FLIPGRID
      1. Sing a Major Scale starting on whatever note you’d like (the Do Re Mi scale)
      2. Sing a Chromatic Scale
      3. Sing the Do Re Do Mi exercise (^ is upper Do)
        1. Bottom up- Do Re Do Mi Do Fa Do Sol Do La Do Ti Do ^Do 
        2. Top Down- ^Do Ti ^Do La ^Do Sol ^Do Fa ^Do Mi ^Do Re ^Do Do
    2. Star Spangled Banner Recording - Sing your vocal part to the Star Spangled Banner. You will turn in to FLIPGRID and sing it live at the audition.
      1. ​Sheet Music LINK
      2. Flat for Star Spangled Banner LINK
  2. IN PERSON - March 14th  4:45pm-7pm 
    1. Warm up singing your part of the Star Spangled Banner in person
    2. Solo Song - Sing a one minute section of a song of your choice a cappella
    3. Sing your vocal part to the following song(s)  
      1. The sheet music and demo track is posted below
      2. TBD
Click HERE to sign up for Abbe Road Auditions!

For video elements:
Utilize the correct passcodes and upload videos to Flipgrid. Please submit the required videos that will include an introduction and will demonstrate the necessary skill sets. 


Example: State, “Hello, my name is ______ and I will be in ______grade. In this video I am auditioning for ______.”

How to submit your video - Instructions at the bottom of the page. 
Each individual video should be continuous (without edits) and include all the elements. Please make sure to include what the title of the song and who wrote it. You may take a moment between sections but please keep each video continuous as we will be looking at how you transition from one element to another. Each video should not exceed 10 minutes.
If you have questions please reach out to bevin.abbe@simivalleyusd.org 
​

Audition Times:
Show Choir and Musical Theatre Dance Auditions will occur March 11th. Time: 8:00am-9:00 am 
​Vocal Music Auditions will occur March 11th. Time: 9:30-12:30 (10 minute blocks) 
Abbe Road Auditions are March 14th 4:45pm-7:00 pm 
​Chamber Choir Auditions FOR CURRENT STUDENTS are March 14th at Lunch 

How to submit your video:

Click the link below to submit Abbe Road and Chamber Choir videos:
Abbe Road/Chamber Auditions FLIPGRID
​​
Please specify which choir your video is for in the title.
You may have to create a Flipgrid account if you do not already have one. This is very easy to do. We recommend you use your school email to sign up, even if it is an out of district email. You may record with your own device and upload a video, or you may use the Flipgrid Camera. 
​

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