The Barton Community College Performing Arts Department invites high school seniors with an interest in dance, instrumental music, theater and vocal music to apply and audition for 2021-2022 Performance Awards, Major Scholarships and performance ensembles via virtual auditions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 10. Students can register at auditions.bartonccc.edu and registration for future dates will be opened closer to each respective date.
Awards range from $250 to $1,500 per year. Scholarships for majors are $2,000 and can be combined with other academic and activity awards. Students unavailable on April 10 for a virtual audition may schedule a video conference on a different date or make arrangements with the following instructors to submit their audition via video:
• Danika Bielek, director of Barton Dance Theatre, bielekd@bartonccc.edu, 620-792-9253
• Miller James, theater director, millerj@bartonccc.edu, 620-792-9205
• Dr. Eric Foley, incoming director of Choral Activities, foleye@bartonccc.edu
• Jessica Perez, interim director of Choral Activities and private voice instructor, perezj@bartonccc.edu, 620-792-9395
• Dr. Luis Palacios, director of Instrumental Activities, palaciosl@bartonccc.edu, 620-792-9396
Audition Information by Area
Barton Dance Program
During the audition for Barton Dance Theatre, the college’s resident dance company, candidates will be asked to learn and perform a ballet barre exercise, jazz dance sequence with kicks (grand battlements), a jazz pirouette and traveling turns, and a modern contemporary combination involving floor work, a leap, and performance quality. Refer to the registration form for guidance on appropriate dance audition attire. Scholarships will be awarded for both Barton Dance Theatre members and incoming dance majors.
Barton Instrumental Music Department
The Barton Instrumental Music Department will require students to perform a solo or excerpt of literature that they are currently working on in either band/orchestra or something they are preparing for a festival. The audition may also include a brief demonstration of a major scale(s) and sight-reading of a short musical passage. Pianists may perform up to two selections from their current repertoire and may be asked to demonstrate scale patterns. Guitarists may audition on either acoustic or electric guitar. Guitar students should be prepared to play two to three short examples, under two minutes each, that demonstrate their skill level. In addition to demonstration pieces, guitarists will also be engaged in an informal dialogue regarding their experience with chords and scales.
Barton Theatre
Barton Theatre will require auditioning actors to perform a memorized monologue and may be asked to perform it again after feedback. Those auditioning for a theatre technician role will need to be prepared to discuss their technical activities as well as present images of their work if possible, such as sets, costumes and lighting designs they’ve worked on or created.
Barton Vocal Music Department
The Barton Vocal Music Department will be auditioning singers and rhythm section players including piano, guitar, bass and drums for Hilltop Singers. No audition is required of Concert Choir members unless students wish to be considered for a scholarship. In the vocal audition, students will be asked to demonstrate range, sing some harmonic patterns and perform a familiar song between 1-3 minutes long such as a contest solo, an excerpt of a choir piece or other song that demonstrates their best singing. Memorization of music is preferred but not required. Refer to the registration form for guidance on appropriate audition attire and preparation.
