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Click here to download all the FAQs as a printer-friendly PDF.
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General Questions for All Students:
- Who should attend the School of the Arts audition/interview weekends?
- What are the beginning and ending times for events during the audition/interview weekends?
- How do I request an audition/interview for acceptance in the School of the Arts?
- Is my audition/interview for acceptance in the School of the Arts the same as an audition/interview for scholarship consideration?
- Is a letter of recommendation required for the School of the Arts application?
- How do I change my major?
- Do I need to wait to be admitted by the Office of Admission before scheduling an audition/interview with the School of the Arts?
- When will I be notified regarding my admission status within the School of the Arts?
- When will I be notified regarding School of the Arts scholarship awards?
- When should I notify the School of the Arts regarding my decision to enroll at Samford?
- Should I audition/interview in more than one area?
- Can I pursue a double major/dual degree with the Arts and another discipline? What is the difference between a double major and a dual degree?
- Can I audition for band scholarship or for membership in the A Cappella Choir during my audition/interview weekend if I am not already auditioning in those areas for my major?
- Can my family take a campus tour during the audition/interview weekend?
- Can I observe classes and rehearsals during the audition/interview weekend?
- When will I receive more information regarding the schedule of events for the audition/interview weekend?
- Is the Friday night dinner during the audition/interview weekend for students only?
- Is the Friday night Samford Arts performance during the audition/interview for students only?
- Can I stay overnight in the residence halls as a guest of a current student on Friday of the audition/interview weekend?
- What should I bring to my audition/interview weekend?
Additional Questions for Prospective Art Majors:
- Is a portfolio review required for all prospective art majors?
- Is an interview required for art scholarship consideration?
- Is attendance at Art Day required for art scholarship consideration?
- How do I select which Art Day sessions to attend?
- What should I wear for Art Day?
Additional Questions for Prospective Music Majors:
- Is an on-campus audition/interview required for acceptance and scholarship consideration?
- Can I work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist for my audition/interview? Is it required to audition/interview with live piano accompaniment?
- Will I have time to practice/warm-up during my audition/interview weekend?
- Should I bring copies of the music for my audition/interview with me?
- Will my audition/interview be closed? Will it be videotaped?
- Where can I store my instrument during the audition/interview weekend?
- Are the music theory placement and piano placement factors in my admission to the School of the Arts? How can I prepare for these placements?
- Can I request to study with a specific music professor for applied lessons?
- What should I wear for my audition/interview?
Additional Questions for Prospective Theatre Majors:
- Is an on-campus audition/interview required for acceptance and scholarship consideration?
- Can I work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist for my musical theatre audition/interview? Is it required to audition/interview with live piano accompaniment?
- Will I have time to practice/warm-up during my audition/interview weekend?
- Should I bring copies of the music for my audition/interview with me?
- Should I bring copies of my monologues for my audition/interview?
- Will my audition/interview be closed? Will it be videotaped?
- What should I wear for my audition/interview?
- Are placements in music theory and piano required for musical theatre majors? How can I prepare for these placements?
Who should attend the School of the Arts audition/interview weekends?
Any high school senior or transfer student planning to major in art, music, or theatre.
Students planning to major in art are encouraged to attend Art Day on November 14 to learn more about the Art Department, but students are not required to attend or to submit a portfolio for admission to the program. The portfolio review process is for scholarship consideration only, not admission.
Students planning to major in music or theatre must audition in order to be admitted to those programs.
What are the beginning and ending times for events during the audition/interview weekends?
Check-in for each audition/interview weekend begins at 2:00 in the lobby of Brock Recital Hall on Friday. Events typically conclude by 3:00 on Saturday; this is subject to change based upon the number of students attending each weekend.
How do I request an audition/interview for acceptance in the School of the Arts?
1. Submit an application for admission to Samford through the Office of Admission: http://www.samford.edu/admission
2. Submit an application for admission to the School of the Arts:
http://www.samford.edu/arts/admission.html
3. Receive a confirmation e-mail from arts@samford.edu for your attendance at one of the School of the Arts audition/interview weekends
Is my audition/interview for acceptance in the School of the Arts the same as an audition/interview for scholarship consideration?
Yes.
Is a letter of recommendation required for the School of the Arts application?
No. Recommendation letters are part of the Office of Admission application process only.
Contact Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524).
Do I need to wait until I have received an acceptance letter from the Office of Admission before scheduling an audition/interview with the School of the Arts?
No. As long as you have submitted the Office of Admission application and declared a major within the School of the Arts, you may submit the School of the Arts application and proceed with the audition/interview process.
When will I be notified regarding my admission status within the School of the Arts?
Prospective music and theatre majors who have already received acceptance letters from the Office of Admission will be notified regarding their admission status within the School of the Arts approximately two weeks after completing an audition/interview.
Prospective art majors apply for scholarship consideration only, not admission to the School of the Arts.
When will I be notified regarding School of the Arts scholarship awards?
Students who have been accepted by the Office of Admission and recommended by the faculty for School of the Arts scholarships will be notified of their awards as part of the financial aid packages mailed by the Office of Admission and Financial Aid on April 1. School of the Arts scholarships can be combined with all other forms of scholarship and financial aid at Samford.
When should I notify the School of the Arts regarding my decision to enroll at Samford?
Students should notify Samford and any other institutions to which they have applied as soon as final decisions have been made regarding accepting or declining scholarships, enrolling, attending Orientation, and so on. According to guidelines for the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), students may take until May 1 to make a final college decision. Students may request an extension to any deadline prior to May 1.
Should I audition/interview in more than one area?
Students should audition/interview in the area in which they plan to focus during their studies at Samford. (Multiple auditions/interviews should be scheduled for students who plan to major in one area but are also interested in membership in the A Cappella Choir or Band Scholarships.)
Can I pursue a double major/dual degree with the Arts and another discipline? What is the difference between a double major and a dual degree?
Double majors are two majors within the same school/college (i.e., two majors from the School of the Arts, two majors from the Howard College of Arts and Sciences).
Dual degrees are two majors from different schools/colleges (i.e., one major from the Brock School of Business and one major from the O.B.B. School of Education and Professional Studies).
Most majors offered by the School of the Arts are very time-intensive and require well beyond the minimum 128 credit hours for graduation at Samford. Additional coursework that would be required to complete a double major or dual degree typically requires additional semesters of study.
Students considering a double major or dual degree should contact Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524) as soon as possible to receive additional contact information for an academic advisor in their major.
Can I audition for band scholarship or for membership in the A Cappella Choir during my audition/interview weekend if I am not already auditioning in those areas for my major?
Yes. Please contact Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524) to make these arrangements. Guidelines for Band Scholarship auditions can be found at http://band.samford.edu. Guidelines for A Cappella Choir auditions can be found at http://www.timbanks.org.
Can my family take a campus tour during the audition/interview weekend?
Families are encouraged to schedule a campus tour through the Office of Admission on Friday by calling 1-800-888-7218 or visiting http://www.samford.edu/admission.
Can I observe classes and rehearsals during the audition/interview weekend?
If your schedule permits you to arrive in Birmingham prior to check-in for the audition/interview weekend, you are welcome to visit classes and rehearsals in the School of the Arts. Please contact Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524) to make those arrangements.
When will I receive more information regarding the schedule of events for the audition/interview weekend?
A general schedule of events can be downloaded at http://www.samford.edu/arts/admission.html.
Two weeks prior to the audition/interview weekend, a more detailed schedule will be mailed to each of the confirmed students attending.
A final schedule including each student's audition/interview time and location will be given to both the students and their parents at check-in for the audition/interview weekend.
Updates will also appear on the School of the Arts web site: http://www.samford.edu/arts/admission.html.
Is the Friday night dinner during the audition/interview weekend for students only?
Only the high school seniors or transfer students who plan to major in art, music, or theatre should attend the Friday night dinner. Parents will receive a list of area restaurants near the campus at check-in for the audition/interview weekend.
Is the Friday night Samford Arts performance during the audition/interview for students only?
All family members traveling with the student are encouraged to attend the Samford Arts performance on Friday evening. There is a blank on the School of the Arts application where students can list the total number of family members attending the weekend, including themselves.
Can I stay overnight in the residence halls as a guest of a current student on Friday of the audition/interview weekend?
Students can request to stay overnight in the residence halls as a guest of a current student on Friday by selecting that blank on the School of the Arts application. These students should bring a towel and washcloth, toiletries, pillow, alarm clock, and shower shoes or flip-flops, since some of the residence halls have community bathrooms.
What should I bring to my audition/interview weekend?
Clothing for the audition/interview (it may be videotaped), copies of music for an accompanist, copies of music for the faculty (instrumental students only), umbrella
Dress for activities on Friday evening typically is more casual than for auditions/interviews on Friday.
All applicants traveling by plane are strongly encouraged to pack audition/interview attire, copies of music, instruments, portfolios, or any other materials essential to the audition/interview process in their carry-on luggage.
Is a portfolio review required for all prospective art majors?
No. The portfolio review is for scholarship consideration only.
Back to additional art questions
Is an interview required for art scholarship consideration?
No. Students should use the one-page statement of purpose and portfolio as an opportunity for the faculty to become better acquainted with their work and goals.
Back to additional art questions
Is attendance at Art Day required for art scholarship consideration?
No.
Back to additional art questions
How do I select which Art Day sessions to attend?
Both high school juniors and seniors can register for Art Day sessions beginning October 1 at http://www.samford.edu/arts.
Back to additional art questions
What should I wear for Art Day?
Students should wear "art-friendly" clothes. Art Day sessions may include anything from working with graphic design software to oil painting to ceramics.
Back to additional art questions
Is an on-campus audition/interview required for acceptance and scholarship consideration?
An on-campus audition/interview is strongly encouraged. In some cases, individual auditions/interviews can be arranged by contacting Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524). Students with exceptional circumstances may contact Rachel to request to submit a video audition/interview; these students may need to perform their audition selections for the faculty on-campus at a later date, typically in the final days before the fall semester begins.
Back to additional music questions
Can I work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist for my audition/interview? Is it required to audition/interview with live piano accompaniment?
Students may bring their own accompanists or request to work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist by selecting that blank on the School of the Arts application. (This service is provided free of charge.)
Vocalists are required to perform with live piano accompaniment; recorded accompaniment tracks are unacceptable. Music provided for accompanists should be in the correct range and key with any cuts clearly marked. Accompanists should not be asked to transpose or improvise. Students will have at least ten minutes to rehearse with their accompanists prior to their auditions.
Instrumentalists are not required to audition with accompaniment, though these arrangements can be made at the student's request. Music provided for accompanists should be in the correct range and key with any cuts clearly marked. Accompanists should not be asked to transpose or improvise. Students will have at least ten minutes to rehearse with their accompanists prior to their auditions.
Back to additional music questions
Will I have time to practice/warm-up during my audition/interview weekend?
Students will have at least twenty minutes for warming up prior to the audition/interview; at least ten of these minutes will be spent with an accompanist if the student has requested to work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist by selecting that blank on the School of the Arts application.
Back to additional music questions
Should I bring copies of the music for my audition/interview with me?
Brass, wind, and percussion students should bring three copies of their audition music for the faculty. Students auditioning/interviewing in other areas are not required to bring copies for the faculty.
Back to additional music questions
Will my audition/interview be closed? Will it be videotaped?
All music auditions/interviews are closed to the public. They may be videotaped.
Back to additional music questions
Where can I store my instrument during the audition/interview weekend?
Instruments can be stored in the coat room outside Brock Recital Hall throughout the audition/interview weekend.
Back to additional music questions
Are the music theory placement and piano placement factors in my admission to the School of the Arts? How can I prepare for these placements?
Placements in music theory and piano identify the course levels in which prospective music and musical theatre majors will begin their studies at Samford. The placements are for academic advising purposes only and are not factors in faculty recommendations for acceptance or scholarships in the School of the Arts. More information on these placements and study guides can be found at http://www.samford.edu/arts/admission.html.
Back to additional music questions
Can I request to study with a specific music professor for applied lessons?
Students may complete the Teacher Preference Form available at http://www.samford.edu/arts/music/forms.html and mail it to
Dr. Bill Strickland, Associate Dean of Music
School of the Arts
Samford University
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
The faculty will take student preferences into account when assigning students to studios, but completing the Teacher Preference Form does not automatically guarantee the student a place in that professor's studio.
Back to additional music questions
What should I wear for my audition/interview?
Sunday dress is a good rule of thumb for music auditions/interviews.
Back to additional music questions
Is an on-campus audition/interview required for acceptance and scholarship consideration?
An on-campus audition/interview is strongly encouraged. In some cases, individual auditions/interviews can be arranged by contacting Arts Recruiter Rachel Lim (arts@samford.edu or 205-726-4524). Students with exceptional circumstances may contact Rachel to request to submit a video audition/interview; these students may need to perform their audition selections for the faculty on-campus at a later date, typically in the final days before the fall semester begins.
Back to additional theatre questions
Can I work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist for my musical theatre audition/interview? Is it required to audition/interview with live piano accompaniment?
Students may bring their own accompanists or request to work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist by selecting that blank on the School of the Arts application. (This service is provided free of charge.)
Musical theatre students are required to perform with live piano accompaniment; recorded accompaniment tracks are unacceptable. Music provided for accompanists should be in the correct range and key with any cuts clearly marked. Accompanists should not be asked to transpose or improvise. Students will have at least ten minutes to rehearse with their accompanists prior to their auditions.
Songs for musical theatre auditions should be full-length, not just sixteen-bar excerpts.
Back to additional theatre questions
Will I have time to practice/warm-up during my audition/interview weekend?
Students will have at least twenty minutes for warming up prior to the audition/interview; at least ten of these minutes will be spent with an accompanist if the student has requested to work with a professional School of the Arts accompanist by selecting that blank on the School of the Arts application.
Back to additional theatre questions
Should I bring copies of the music for my audition/interview with me?
Students should only bring music for their accompanists, not additional copies for the faculty.
Back to additional theatre questions
Should I bring copies of my monologues for my audition/interview?
No.
Back to additional theatre questions
Will my audition/interview be closed? Will it be videotaped?
All auditions/interviews are closed to the general public; monologues will be presented in the company of two or three other prospective students, and the dance auditions for musical theatre students will take place in a class/group rehearsal setting.
Auditions/interviews may be videotaped.
Back to additional theatre questions
What should I wear for my audition/interview?
Sunday dress is a good rule of thumb for music auditions/interviews, monologues, and technical theatre portfolio reviews. Musical theatre students should bring a change of clothes that allow for ease of movement and either jazz shoes/jazz sneakers or character shoes.
Back to additional theatre questions
Are placements in music theory and piano required for musical theatre majors? How can I prepare for these placements?
Placements in music theory and piano identify the course levels in which prospective music and musical theatre majors will begin their studies at Samford. The placements are for academic advising purposes only and are not factors in faculty recommendations for acceptance or scholarships in the School of the Arts. More information on these placements and study guides can be found at http://www.samford.edu/arts/admission.html.
Back to additional theatre questions