Hi! I’m auditioning for Shenandoah’s musical theatre program soon and I was wondering if anyone had experience audition for them before. What was it like? Who did you talk to? When did you hear back? Etc…
Thank you!
The day begins with all students and parents in the main theatre for a welcome meeting. At 9am, students and parents meet with the MT faculty. The faculty are Jacob Brent, Kevin Covert, Rick Edinger, and myself. We spend 9-10 in a Q&A so parents and students can ask questions about the program and get to know the faculty. We then take the students to the dance call where they will learn a jazz combo and perform it for the whole faculty. We then do a group voice warm-up, led by myself. They then go to a holding room where they get to hang out with each other and current SU students. When it is their time, they will meet their accompanist to talk through their cuts, and then walk into the room for the full faculty to perform their songs and monologue. Students get to decide what order they want to perform their rep in. The atmosphere is very casual, we try to make the students feel comfortable and give them an opportunity to show us their authentic selves. Hope that helps, if you have any other questions, let me know. Good luck! ~ VT
As for decisions, we do not make those until all auditions are complete. ~ VT
My D auditioned for the vocal major last Saturday and LOVED the experience! She said it was a very positive one and less stressful compared to another school she recently auditioned for. She was also very surprised to get a call 4 days later with her acceptance. I was really glad she was buckled into her seat. She was seemingly calm when she heard from her SU Counselor, but definitely excited after getting off the phone. My suggestion to everyone who is auditioning, regardless of major, is to have fun! Know WHY you’re there. If you love what you’re doing, it will come out in your audition. It’s not about being perfect in the audition as you’re still a work-in-progress and no one expects it. They want to see your passion, your love for your craft. Good Luck!
What time did the audition day end? We have an audition coming up and we’re not sure if it makes sense to get a second night hotel for Saturday if it ends in the evening, or can make the 4-hour drive home that night.
@DadfromNewJersey Last year the auditions ended around 5pm. As they took the same number of auditionees from prescreening, I’d expect it to be about the same. Last year dance call was in the morning and then kids could leave after their individual audition. One of the nicest, most relaxed places we were - most kids seemed to come out happy. Best of luck!
Thank you. It was a well-run day, very welcoming staff and faculty and we came away very impressed.
@DadfromNewJersey My D auditioned for the vocal performance program and was so impressed with the way that things were done that Shenandoah jumped ahead to the top of her list! She said it was relaxed, welcoming, and she really could feel that they wanted her to be successful and not just say those words. Hubby and I are very impressed with Shenandoah Conservatory!
FWIW, I am the father of a freshman MT girl at SU. My daughter is on cloud nine each and every day. She is having a love affair with the SU Conservatory. Loves her teachers, her classmates, her classes, her life. Having a happy daughter who is away at college takes a load off and justifies paying that tuition. If you have any specific questions, give me a shout.
@grayhairedman That is great to hear! The freshmen class is quite special, a great group of kids. ~ VT
Hello Voice Teacher! Thank you for all your prompt responses here at the site. My daughter and I are here at Shenandoah today and tomorrow for a tour and meeting with admissions. We reside in Los Angeles. I was wondering how students normally used to a suburban life close to major cities deal with the remoteness of Shenandoah in their first year. I noticed that there were acclimation classes for freshmen through the university. Does this apply to Conservatory students as well? If you are available on Monday (4/9) we would love to speak with you. One of the students currently in the program shares a vocal teacher with my daughter and she is going to meet us tomorrow, too. We’re excited to see what Shenandoah offers since recommendations come so highly. It’s very cold for our SoCal bones tonight!!! We may look like polar bears during our tour. 
Thank you for responding, even if we don’t get to connect tomorrow.
I’ve been tracking Shenandoah’s MT program for some time now. Just saw the acceptance list for 2018/19 and I am AGAIN dismayed at the lack of cultural diversity in this MT program. Will no longer be watching a school with such an archaic approach when it comes to talent pool. Truly shameful.
Dear @MTScout4: I am very sad to hear that is your perception and I’m responding to let you know that what you are seeing on the surface is not an accurate representation of our commitment to recruiting a diverse student body. This year 23% of our 732 completed applications self-identified as being from a diverse background. Our records show that 24% of the students we accepted self-identified as being from a diverse background. However, only two of those students accepted us back, so very sadly we ended up with only 10% of our incoming class who self-identified themselves as from a diverse background. This year we traveled more than ever, visiting performing arts high schools that we knew had a diverse student body. Sadly many of the students we saw at those schools did not follow through and apply to SU; we have not received any feedback as to why. About a month ago I had a long discussion with our assistant dean for admissions about how to improve the situation and she is actively working with us to find solutions.
I hope you will reconsider “not watching” us since referrals of those who care are critical to helping us improve the diversity of our program. If you have ideas of how to improve our reach to diverse populations, please send me a private message. I am on the board of directors of the Musical Theatre Educator’s Alliance and we are constantly discussing this issue not only in regards to students but also recruiting faculty from diverse backgrounds and presenting works created by those from underrepresented populations. We are exploring every idea that is presented to us, sadly we haven’t been hearing many new ones lately and we are already doing most if not all of the suggestions that have been discussed. The one thing that is obvious is that we are all trying to improve the diversity of our student body and we are all competing with each other for students and faculty. Please know that what you are suggesting is not accurate, the faculty at SU care deeply about this issue and will continue to do everything within our power to improve the situation.
~VT