Academy of Vocal Arts

Vocal Arts Audition Information

Application & Requirements:

The Academy of Vocal Arts accepts singers on a full-tuition scholarship basis only. Most of AVA’s artists have graduated from renowned music schools in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Central and South America. They have already achieved a high level of musicianship, knowledge of music theory and history, and have had many years of private voice study with major voice teachers. Singers are urged not to apply unless they feel they have exceptional vocal/theatrical qualifications and have dedicated themselves to a professional career. All applications are reviewed by the executive director. Applicants with insufficient experience are discouraged from applying, and applications and fees are returned.

Contact Val Starr, Dean of Students or by phone at 215.735.1685 with questions regarding application and audition questions.

Vocal Arts (Artist Diploma)^**

**At this time, no degrees are granted, but Artist Diplomas are awarded to those whom the AVA believes are ready for operatic and concert careers, and have completed the minimum required classes. AVA is an accredited, non-degree-granting member of the National Association of Schools of Music. Course work completed at AVA does not compile credit-hours, and is not transferable to other institutions.

Starting December 1, 2018, singers may go to www.accepted.com and submit their application, pre-screening recordings and other required documents. The application deadline is January 1, 2019.

Pre-screening recordings: 

l  Singers will be required to submit an MP4 video recording of three (3) arias.  

l  The arias should be of contrasting styles and languages.  Recordings must be of the highest quality.   

l  The AVA Faculty will review the recordings and those applicants who are selected will be moved onto the Live Audition Round on Monday, March 18, 2018. 

Live Audition Round-March 18, 2019: 

l  Those singers who are selected to move onto the Live Audition Round will be sent an email that includes their time on Tuesday, March 

    19^th and a list of audition instructions. 

l  Applicants should be prepared to sing five (5) arias of contrasting styles and languages.  At the Live Audition, applicants will choose an aria and the faculty panel may choose an additional aria (or arias).  Five copies of the list of arias should be provided at the time of the audition.  The audition panel consists of the President and Artistic Director, Jeannine B. Cowles Music Director Chair, all voice instructors and vocal coaches, or any combination of above.

l  AVA provides an accompanist, but applicants are permitted to bring their own. The applicant must supply the appropriate scores at the time of audition. 

l  Applicants may warm up for 30 minutes in a practice room before their auditions. If an applicant is late for the scheduled audition, the panel will decide whether or not to hear the audition. The panel is not obliged to hear all the music that an applicant may have prepared or to give an audition evaluation.

Final Auditions-March 19, 2019: 

l  At the end of the Live Auditions on Monday, March 18^th, singers will be notified if they have been moved onto the Final Audition Round. 

l  Applicants should be prepared to sing five (5) arias of contrasting styles and languages.   

l  At the Final Audition, applicants will choose an  aria and the faculty panel will choose an additional aria (or arias). 

l  Applicants will be notified by mail of the status of their application within a few weeks following the audition.

                                                                                                                                                      Updated on 04/18/2019