ARMES Nominations for 2025-2026 are now closed.
Audition information will be emailed in a few weeks. Please be sure to check the email provided on the nomination form and your spam filter to ensure you do not miss important audition information.
2025-2026 ARMES AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
BAND: 6TH-8TH GRADE
6th Grade Band
Advanced 6th grade students will be identified by their band director during 1st semester and will be provided an invitation to do an abbreviated audition in December. The purpose is to give students time to develop foundational skills during their first semester of band.
7th & 8th Grade Woodwind & Brass
Play as many scales as you know, sight read, and perform a 16 measure solo of your choice.
7th & 8th Grade Percussion
Play as many rudiments and scales as you know, perform a 16 measure solo of your choice and sight read.
CREATIVE WRITING: 3RD-8TH GRADE
Students will compile a portfolio of their best work in the areas of short fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction, and will turn it in at the time of the audition. Also, during a 45-minute timed writing, students will compose a story based on a prompt handed out at the audition. This piece will be evaluated for its creativity, the student's ability to develop plot and character, voice, use of literary devices, and written conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.). Finally, students will complete a 5 minute interview with a creative writing teacher.
DANCE: 3RD-8TH GRADE
Dancers will be led through a warm up to get the body moving. Then they will learn multiple sequences, some in the center and some going across the floor. The dancer will be judged on how quickly they can pick up movement, their musicality and creativity. The dancer will not be asked to show a “solo,” but to come and have a good time!
MUSIC: 3RD-5TH GRADE
Students will sing My Country Tis of Thee (America), complete two matching pitch exercises by singing the same pitch played on a piano back on “La”, echoing back two rhythm examples by clapping the rhythms they hear, and clapping two written rhythm examples.
STRINGS: 3RD-8TH GRADE
Strings is offered to 3rd-8th Grade students at the Central Site (League Academy) only. The Northern Site (Greer Middle) and Southern Site (Hillcrest Middle) offers strings to 6th-8th Grade students only.
Elementary Auditions for 1st Year Students: Central Site Only
Students will sing a song of their choice, echo clap three given rhythms and sing back three given melodies.
Middle School Auditions: All Sites
Play as many scales as you know, sight read, and perform a 16 measure solo of your choice.
THEATRE: 3RD-8TH GRADE
Elementary Theatre Auditions: 3rd-5th Grade
Auditions for elementary theatre students will resemble a typical ARMES Theatre class and will be conducted by the ARMES Theatre teacher. There will be a brief interview, group warm up, and a prompted improvisation exercise focused on group collaboration. The audition will conclude with a Q&A session
Middle School Theatre Auditions: 6th-8th Grade
Auditions for middle school students will closely resemble a typical ARMES Theatre class and will be conducted by the ARMES Theatre teacher. There will be a brief interview, group warm up, and a prompted improvisation exercise focused on group collaboration and spontaneity. Students will also present a memorized monologue or poem, chosen from the options provided by the ARMES program, to the group. The audition will conclude with a Q&A session.
VISUAL ART: 3RD-8TH GRADE
Students will complete two drawings during the audition. In the first drawing, they will have 20 minutes to complete a still life drawing from an example that will be provided. In the second drawing, students will have an additional 20 minutes to complete a work on their own from a visual prompt. Students will be scored on composition, value, line, expressive quality, and overall impression.
VOCAL/CHORAL MUSIC: 6TH-8TH GRADE
Sing one song chosen by the student. Please pick something that shows off your range and performance skills. The song must be memorized and you must provide your own accompaniment.