AcProgram Overview
The Academy for Performing and Visual Arts at Heritage High School was founded in 2014 for students with exceptional talent in the arts. Its goal is to develop and nurture talented young artists for successful vocations, avocations and advocacy in the arts through extensive training programs and classes in dance, drama or technical theatre, instrumental music, visual arts, and vocal music while maintaining high academic achievement. The Academy for Performing and Visual Arts faculty views academics and the arts as equally important and is committed to developing lifelong learners and arts advocates.
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Click here for brochure PDF)
Components for Student Success
Each accepted student is enrolled in a major:
• Vocal Music
• Instrumental Music
• Dance
• Theatre
• Technical Theatre
• Visual Arts
Students study in their major concentration area for two class periods each semester. They are expected to remain in the program every semester of their high school careers. Students are actively involved in extracurricular performances and are given the opportunity to work with top professionals in the arts from the Atlanta area and throughout the United States.
Application
RCPS will use an electronic application process for 2022 - 2023 School Choice programs. No paper applications will be accepted. Students may apply for one School Choice program only for the 2022 - 2023 school year. The application window is November 11 - December 9, 2022. The online application will be available on the district website at www.rockdaleschools.org/specialtyandchoice
Only complete applications will be accepted.
Eligibility Criteria
• Students must meet the student registration requirements for Rockdale County Public Schools.
• Students who change schools after day one of their 9th grade year may not be eligible for varsity sports, literary competitions or One Act Play. All GHSA eligibility rules apply for all programs.
• Students and parents must agree to the Choice contract.
Virtual Audition/Artistic Review
Eligible applicants must complete the audition/artistic review process for final selection.
The date for audition/artistic review will be Saturday, January 21, 2023. Applicants who complete the RCPS School Specialty and Choice application will be notified via email of the submission process.
Audition/Artistic Review Requirements
Applicants must complete the audition/artistic review process for final selection.
ALL AREAS
Teacher Recommendations - Students must submit two letters of recommendation using the HHS APVA Recommendation Form, one of which should be from a fine arts teacher. This form will be sent to individual students who have completed the online application by the due date.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Due by 3:00pm on Saturday January 22nd
What to wear
Girls: leotard and convertible tights, ballet shoes with the elastic sewn on and tie strings tucked for ballet, bare feet for modern dance. Hair should be nice, neat, and away from the face and neck with no jewelry, bows or accessories other than bobby pins and/ or a hair net.
Boys: solid T-shirt with tights or gym shorts, ballet shoes with the elastic sewn on and tie strings tucked for ballet, bare feet for modern dance. Hair should be nice, neat, and away from the face and neck.
Expectations:
Auditionees will submit 2 videos. The first video will require the auditionee to watch and learn the combination from the video, then record and submit a video of you doing the dance combination from video. The second video will consist of a solo of any kind (ballet, hip hop, jazz, tap, majorette, etc). The second video is not to exceed 60 seconds.
Video 1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig3b-2RUQ30
Evaluation:
Auditionees will be evaluated on: Physique and Body Alignment, Coordination and Flexibility, Evidence of Natural Ability and Potential, Rhythmical Accuracy, and Ability to sight read and reproduce movement combinations given by dance faculty.
Instrumental Music
Due by Saturday January 22nd at 3:00pm
No minimum score to be accepted but teacher recommendation required.
To remain in program each year, student must:
Pass the course with a B or higher.
Audition for Georgia Music Educators Association all-state band or orchestra on primary instrument or participate for a full season with the marching patriots (all skill levels accepted. Must attend weekly practices and participate in region game halftime shows. You may also be a band member without being in a band class if schedule conflicts arise.)
Students displaying high level of skill will be considered top priority and placed in advanced band/orchestra if schedule permits.
According to national and state standards, middle school advanced band does equate to high school advanced band/orchestra. Most 9th graders will be assigned to the beginning level courses.
SCALES AND RUDIMENTS
Orchestra:
All stringed instruments will perform a chromatic scale in first position across all strings in quarter notes at 60 bpm in one octave
Violin – A, D, and G major scales performed in quarter notes at 60 bpm in one octave.
Viola/Cello – D, G, and C major scales performed in quarter notes at 60 bpm in one octave.
Bass – E, A, and D major scales performed in quarter notes at 60 bpm in one octave.
Top priority students will perform the current year’s GMEA All-State Audition scales and arpeggios for their grade level. Click the following link for orchestra Audition Information — GMEA.
Band:
All students will perform a chromatic scale in one octave using quarter notes at 60 bpm in one octave.
Concert B flat, E flat, A flat, and F in quarter notes in one octave using quarter notes at 60 bpm.
Percussion candidates to also perform a closed single, double, or multiple bounce stroke drum roll and a paradiddle rudiment. Paradiddle must be demonstrated slow to fast to slow. Consult your teacher or visit www.pas.org for more info on all essential rudiments.
Top priority students will perform the current year’s GMEA All-State Audition scales and arpeggios for their grade level. See Audition Information — GMEA for audition materials.
PREPARED SELECTIONS
All Band and Orchestra students must perform two prepared pieces, preferably, recommended by teacher or private instructor.
Each piece must be at least 45 seconds and no more than 90 seconds in length.
All styles and genres are welcome (jazz, world, music for tv/film, hip hop, classical, baroque, technical etudes, melodic etudes, pop, spiritual, etc.) but please note the following:
One piece should highlight tone quality and lyrical ability on the instrument; candidates will be able to play melodies with a singing quality.
The other piece should highlight virtuosity; candidates will be able to play with technical ability —varied articulations and some degree of velocity.
Top priority students will perform the current year’s GMEA All-State Etudes for their grade (lyrical and technical). See Audition Information — GMEA for audition materials.
PIANO
Navigate to https://bit.ly/3tL4DBK and play one of the pieces in the folder. Pick the piece that best reflects your skill and experience level.
Play four major scales of your choice. Two octaves are preferred; one octave is accepted.
Optional/Encouraged: You may also include a short (about a minute) selection of your choice to show off what you have learned by yourself or with previous teachers. Please bring an extra copy of your sheet music for the judges.
Sight Reading.
Video Submission
Record your video using laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Use best lighting possible.
Stand near a window for natural light or use a well-lit room.
Hands and face must be visible.
Record several takes; submit the best performance.
Sign-in/register at www.youtube.com or use the app if on a mobile device.
Upload your video.
Title should be Student Name/Middle School/HHS Fine Arts Academy Submission
Set video as UNLISTED if you do NOT want it made public.
Share the link with Mr. Bostic and Mr. Craft using your school/Rockdale County email.
View the following Youtube Tutorial for details on upload procedure.
Technical Theater
PREPARE A VIRTUAL PORTFOLIO OF YOUR WORK DUE SATURDAY JANUARY 15TH:
Create a PowerPoint presentation that shows at least TEN images of your work (sound, lights, set, costumes, makeup, video, graphic design, marketing, etc.).
Each image should be accompanied by a caption that describes what is being shown and the applicants’ role in its creation/execution.
Include content/images that you feel shows your work clearly and demonstrates your creative side. Feel free to include work that you might think is outside of ’normal’ theatrical work.
Be sure and include your Full Name on the first slide.
Video Recording of Applicant: DUE SATURDAY JANUARY 15TH
Discuss/highlight anything in your virtual portfolio that you would like to highlight to the judges.
Each applicant should include the following information during their video submission.
• First and Last Name.
• Possible area of interest in technical theatre (Sets, Lights, Sound, Costumes, Props, Management).
• Your most favorite theatre production/project that you have worked on and why.
• The most challenging theatre production/project that you have worked on and why.
• What is your favorite color and why?
• Any other information/facts about yourself that you would like us to know or you think makes you unique and an asset the Fine and Performing Arts Academy.
Files should be saved in the following format: “LastName,FirstName-Portfolio.pptx”
If Mr. Christopher Dills were submitting his PowerPoint portfolio it would be saved as “Dills,Christopher-Portfolio.pptx”
Questions can be directed to Mr. Christopher Dills at cdills@rockdale.k12.ga.us
Click the following link to upload your virtual portfolio and video recording: https://studentsrockdalek12ga-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/tgreen_rockdale_k12_ga_us/EgDLNBA-bVVAiUBUb3rRWdEBJaNny0AniDG8IoYKHZgDxA
Theater Information
Theater Audition Requirements: Due by 3:00pm on Saturday January 22nd.
Please see the audition requirements and suggestions below. For audition music/practice materials: CLICK HERE.
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Slate your audition by giving your name, age, and title/author/character of your monologue and song selection.
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Memorize and perform two contrasting monologues from published materials. Monologues should be one minute each for a total of two minutes.
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Memorize and perform one to two minutes of a song from musical theatre posted on the website above (Total time not to exceed four minutes).
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Performance Audition Guidelines:
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4 minutes in length maximum, includes slate before audition (slate consists of name, name of character, title of play, name of playwright (i.e., “Hello, my name is Ricky Rodgers. Today I’m Cory from August Wilson’s play, Fences and Charlie Brown from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown by Charles Schulz. I’ll sing “Luck Be a Lady” from the musical Guys and Dolls, music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.”)
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Consists of 2 contrasting monologues and 1 Song (combined, not to exceed 4 minutes)
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Record and submit your performance at the following Flipgrid link:
Tips for digital video submissions:
● Find an effective filming location:
● Area should be quiet so we can hear both you and your track.
● Film in front of a non-distracting background. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you. The color should contrast with your clothing.
● Do not use set pieces, props, or costumes, including the use of hair, non-prescription glasses, earrings, or other personal items.
● Make sure you are lit enough to be clearly visible.
● NO VIDEO EDITING, MICROPHONES/AMPLIFICATION, DUBBING, SPECIALTY LIGHTING, etc. is allowed. All video submissions should be one take simultaneously with no editing from slate to finish.
● Before filming, conduct a full-volume test to make sure you can be heard (and that your track can be heard) and ensure your blocking is effective and visible when filmed. Consider whether to decrease your movement or to adjust your camera angle.
● Shoot your video horizontally, not vertically.
Try multiple takes and submit your strongest.
Visual Arts
2) Visual Arts Digital Portfolio Requirements:
Students must upload a digital portfolio with a maximum of ten artworks to the OneDrive link provided no later than 11:59 PM on Saturday, January 15. The portfolio must be in the form of a PowerPoint. The first slide must include the student’s first and last name as entered on the application for the Academy.
The slideshow may include the following items: photographs, drawings, paintings, 2-D design, 3-D artwork, or any works the student feels exhibit their abilities in the visual arts. NO VIDEO SUBMISSIONS ARE ALLOWED. Each artwork should include an artist statement that describes processes or techniques used in the creation of the artwork. When digitizing work, ensure that each piece is clearly focused. All works must be completed by the student.
Vocal Music
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Vocal Music Audition Requirements: Due by 3:00pm on Saturday January 22nd, 2022.
Each applicant should upload one video recording of the following:
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• Required Solo - students should sing the required solo for their current grade level. Students must use the accompaniment only track (not the version with the singer) and play it out loud as they perform the solo. A cappella solos will not be scored.
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Click here to access the appropriate accompaniment file for your current grade level and voice part.
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• Scales - student should then sing the major, minor, and chromatic scale using the system of their choice (solfeggio, numbers, or other).
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Students should play the starting pitch for their selected voice part, then sing the scales acapella. Click here to access an audio file of each starting pitch.
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The video should be made in one take, with no editing.
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The student should state their name (first and last) and their voice part.
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The solo should be performed first with the accompaniment, playing out loud.
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The student should then play their chosen starting pitch for scales and sing the major, minor, and chromatic scale a cappella.
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Click here to access practice materials for all audition components.
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Find an effective filming location:
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Area should be quiet so we can hear both you and your track.
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Film in front of a non-distracting background. If possible, choose a solid-color wall or consider hanging a sheet behind you. The color should contrast with your clothing.
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Make sure you are lit enough to be clearly visible.
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Before filming, conduct a full-volume test to make sure you can be heard (and that your track can be heard).
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Shoot your video horizontally, not vertically.
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Try multiple takes and submit your strongest.
Activities
Theatre and Technical Theatre:
One Act
Improv Impire
Fall Play
Fall Musical
Cabaret
October Tales of Terror
Winter Musical
Spring Play
Spring Musical
Great Playwright Series
Individual Showcase
Friday Night Live
Theatre for Social Change
August Wilson Monologue Contest
Shuler Hensley Performance Thespian Conference
One Act Play Competition
Summer Children’s Theatre
ESU Shakespeare Monologue Competition
Dance:
Winter Concert
Spring Concert
Instrumental Music
Marching Band
Symphonic Band
Jazz Band
Concert Bands
District Honor Band
All State Band
Vocal Music:
All State Sight Reading Chorus
District Honor Chorus
Governors Honors
Ladies’ Trio
Literary Competition
Large Group Performance Evaluation
Men’s Quartet
Spring Sing Pop Concert
Spring Talent Show
University of Georgia Choral Day
Visual Arts:
Ceramics
Drawing
Painting
Graphics
Photography
National Art Honor Society
Youth Art Month
NAHS Conference
Museum/Gallery Tours
Student Art Shows