Families of 10th/11th graders, if you are interested in finding out more about summer governor’s school programming, please join AHS Talent Development for an interest meeting on Parent/Teacher conference nights on October 16 or October 22 from 6-6:30 in the AHS Library. *Attendance is not mandatory to apply. Homeschool families districted to AHS are also welcome to join us.
Students can also draft themselves for Talent Development in Powerschool during Patriot Period to see Ms. Newman to begin the application process after October 10.
Interest forms will be due November 1 for all interested applicants (students should fill out the form, not parents).
!Please READ THIS WHOLE SECTION BEFORE EMAILING MS. NEWMAN!
Virginia Summer Residential Governor's School provides students currently in 10th and 11th grade an opportunity to continue their learning over the summer with some of the most talented students throughout the Commonwealth. Students with a passion for learning in these fields are encouraged to apply. Any AHS 10th or 11th grade student is welcome to apply to the Governor's School (as long as AHS is your base-school--if it's not, you'll apply through your base school) (*Home-school students can also apply--10th or 11th grade only!) The Governor's School application process is highly competitive. You can only apply to 1 Governor's School. You can only attend 1 Governor's School.
Academic Governor's School Programs:
Humanities
Math, Science, Technology
Agriculture
Engineering (internship)
Health and Medical Science
Marine Science (internship)
Visual and Performing Arts:
Dance
Drama
Instrumental Music
Vocal Music
Visual Arts
World Languages:
French
German
Latin
Japanese
Spanish
Please note that Governor's School slots are HIGHLY COMPETITIVE ( I'm here to HELP with applications and resumes, but I do NOT serve on selection committees).
Who? any current 10th or 11th grader may apply
What? a month-long program for top students who are passionate about academic and artistic subjects
Where? held at a variety of colleges and universities across VA
When? Applications OPEN October 10-deadlines are Nov 1 (Visual and Performing Arts only) or December 1 (all other schools)
How? It is an application-only program with 2 selection rounds (division selection + state selection). You will need to ask 2 teachers to do recommendations for you. It is your responsibility to check with teachers and make sure they have sent their recommendations and ratings to Ms. Newman by the deadline.
Cost? The school system pays your tuition ($$$$) which includes room/board if you are selected for Gov School. However, you may have pay some activities fees (low $$$).
Need help? Want more info? Draft yourself for Talent Development in Adaptive Scheduler before Nov 1.
*Note: Governor's Schools require that students attend the entire program. Students do NOT go home on weekends. Some schools (the languages, for example) are completely cell-phone free (and students love it)! Please do not apply to Gov School unless you plan to actually attend.
Where and When?
Medicine and Health Sciences Radford U
Marine Sciences William and Mary
Agriculture Virginia Tech
Humanities Radford U
Math/Science/Tech Lynchburg
Engineering William and Mary
Visual and Performing Arts Radford
French, German, and Spanish Academies Washington and Lee University
Japanese and Latin Academies Randolph Macon College
I am filling out an application and I need help--Read THIS: Governor's School Applications: FAQs
p. 1: School Address: 2775 Hydraulic Road Charlottesville, VA 22901
Telephone: 434 975 9300
Fax 434 974 4335
HS Contact Name and email: Holly Newman hnewman@k12albemarle.org (DO NOT PUT THE PRINCIPAL)
Division Name: Albemarle County Public Schools
p. 7: Just fill out the box that says Applicant's Full Name (at top) (I will fill this page out for you and get Mr. Barfield's Signature)
p. 8: Just fill out the box that says Applicant's Full Name (at top) (Central Office will fill this page out if you are selected to apply for the District)
*Draft yourself for Talent Development in Adaptive Scheduler if you need help (not Fridays please)
School LEA number 002-0880
A. Applicants will present a portfolio containing ten pieces of original artwork from the following media: Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture, Installation, Collage, Assemblage, Video, and New Media.
a. Core Portfolio: Six artworks should share a standard media, working method, or theme.
b. Supplementary: Four artworks should differ from the Core Portfolio to show variety, experimentation, and growth.
c. The Portfolio should be submitted as a PDF.
B. Applicants will create two drawings for the Adjudication, one based on everyday life and the other on more conceptual content. Each drawing should be a continuous 20-minute video of this activity, totaling 40 minutes.
C. Applicants will be asked to discuss and explain their art and roles in group learning. Applicants will be adjudicated on the following criteria:
a. Design (cohesiveness of composition)
b. Expression (communicative quality)
c. Originality (novel or unique solutions)
d. Fluency (number of ideas and concepts)
e. Flexibility (variety of work and ideas) f. Elaboration (stretching or expanding imagery)
Submissions
Preparation:
Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for your free draw.
Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
Lighting: Make sure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view.
Recording:
Create two continuous 20-minute recordings for part B above.
Finalize:
Upload videos to YouTube (unlisted link) or Google Drive. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above. Save the Word doc as a PDF.
Vocalists should select two (2) songs of contrasting style periods and moods from the Art Song (standard recital literature), Opera, or "Broadway Show" repertoire. Applicants should be sure that their compositions are legally used under copyright law. Numerous Websites make available public domain art songs that can be printed freely. Three such sites are the Choral Public Domain Library, the International Music Score Library, and Art Song Central. Vocalists must provide their accompanists/accompaniment and should not perform unaccompanied. The use of pre-recorded accompaniment is allowed. Applicants will be required to sight-sing an eight-bar example, VCDA level 5. Vocalists will be judged on technique, interpretation, tone, intonation, sight-reading, and diction.
Submissions
Preparation:
Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for you. Auditions must be video recorded from the front, framing the whole body.
Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
Lighting: Ensure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view, that you are not backlit, and that a lamp or sunlight is not coming through a window behind you.
Recording:
Each part should be one continuous recording with no edits or splicing.
Compile the parts together into one video file OR
You may do all parts as one continuous shot, pausing between each part to transition to the next part.
All audition videos must be under ten minutes long
You may record your parts multiple times and choose the best one to submit.
Finalize:
Upload videos to YouTube (unlisted link), Google Drive. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above.
Save the Word doc as a PDF.
All music applicants will perform two (2) contrasting prepared selections (2-3 minutes each) and a brief sightreading exercise available on Opus Event when the applicant registers. Additionally, applicants will be asked to respond to a question prompt about their practice on Opus Event at the time of registration. Memorization of music is encouraged but optional. The repertoire should be set at a medium level of difficulty or higher.
The applicant will select compositions for auditions from the standard solo repertoire for his/her instrument or voice within the following guidelines:
Woodwinds and Brass may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Etudes and exercises from your instrument’s method book are also acceptable (i.e. Klosé, Arban, Rochut, etc.) Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. In addition, applicants will be required to perform a chromatic scale overthe full range of their instrument (eighth notes, MM=60; slur up, tongue down). There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
Strings may select materials from the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association's (VBODA) Manual Solo Listings in grades IV, V, and VI; however, selections are not limited to those on these lists. Solos from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods are acceptable. Any form of accompaniment for instrumental music will not be allowed. There will also be a sight-reading exercise.
Classical/Symphonic Percussionists must present one prepared selection on a mallet instrument and one on the snare drum. Additionally, perform Eb major, A major, and Db major scales (eighth notes, MM = 60, 2 octaves). There will be sight reading exercises for snare drums and mallets. In addition to the classical/symphonic audition, percussionists who can perform the commercial/jazz audition requirements are encouraged.
Commercial/Jazz Percussionists must perform all the following grooves on a drum set: rock, funk, swing, jazz waltz, and a one-minute improvised drum solo. Videos of the grooves should be at most five minutes long. In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, percussionists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged.
Classical Guitarists (acoustic) and Harpists should select two (2) contrasting pieces from two different style periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th/21st Century, or original composition). There will also be a sight-reading exercise. Guitarists will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale in rest stroke (eighth-two-sixteenth pattern) In addition to the classical audition, guitarists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged.
Commercial/Jazz Guitarists (electric guitar and bass) should prepare two jazz standards of contrasting styles and plan to improvise at least one chorus on each selection. Sight-reading of a standard lead sheet will also be included. Guitarists will also be asked to perform a three-octave E melodic minor scale in rest stroke (eighth-two-sixteenth pattern). In addition to the commercial/jazz audition, Pianists and Guitarists who can perform the classical/symphonic audition requirements are encouraged to do so.
Pianists should prepare two (2) contrasting pieces from memory in different styles(Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Jazz, or original compositions are acceptable). Pianists will perform sight-reading once on campus if selected.
Adjudication specifics
Instrumentalists will be judged on technique, interpretation, tone, intonation, sight-reading, and scales.
Submissions
Preparation:
Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for you. Auditions must be video recorded from the front, framing the whole body.
Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
Lighting: Ensure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view, that you are not backlit, and that a lamp or sunlight is not coming through a window behind you.
Recording:
Each part should be one continuous recording with no edits or splicing.
Compile the parts together into one video file OR
You may do all parts as one continuous shot, pausing between each part to transition to the next part.
All audition videos must be under ten minutes long
You may record your parts multiple times and choose the best one to submit.
Finalize:
Upload videos to YouTube (unlisted link), Google Drive, or Dropbox. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above.
Save the Word doc as a PDF.
Theater:
A. Applicants for Governor's School will perform one memorized monologue 60-90 seconds long. For these auditions, a monologue is "a solo passage from a play." Applicants are encouraged to seek audition material that is close to their age and experience. Applicants must have read the entire play from which the monologue has been selected. Poetry not from a play, other nondramatic literature, and pieces from unpublished work (including original material) may not be used. Selections from monologue books or the internet are strongly discouraged.
B. Audition videos must be under two (2) minutes.
C. Applicants will be adjudicated on the following:
1) Vocal Ability: Did the actor demonstrate effective vocal technique and show vocal variety in pitch, tempo, and inflection?
2) Physical Ability: Did the actor effectively embody the character using gesture, movement, and nonverbal behavior? Was the actor’s use of the body specific, connected, and purposeful?
3) Performance Decisions: Did the actor pursue character goals? Did the actor choose and play dynamic tactics? Did the actor create a believable &engaging characterization appropriate to the piece's context?
4) Preparation for the Audition: Did the actor select appropriate audition material? Was the actor wellrehearsed? Did the actor demonstrate a thorough understanding of their character's super objective and function in the play?
5) Overall Impression: Did the actor demonstrate professionalism, stage presence, confidence, and spontaneity? Was the actor a creative risk-taker?
D. Applicants should perform in comfortable rehearsal clothes, not in costume. Props and/or sets (other than a chair) may not be used.
E. Applicants should do a vocal and physical warm-up before auditioning.
F. Applicants will be asked questions about their art form and role in group learning.
Submissions
Preparation:
Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for you. Auditions must be video recorded from the front, framing the whole body.
Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
Lighting: Ensure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view, that you are not backlit, and that a lamp or sunlight is not coming through a window behind you.
Recording:
Each part should be one continuous recording with no edits or splicing.
Compile the parts together into one video file OR
You may do all parts as one continuous shot, pausing between each part to transition to the next part.
You may record your parts multiple times and choose the best one to submit.
Finalize:
Upload videos to YouTube (unlisted link), Google Drive, or Dropbox. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above.
Save the Word doc as a PDF.
Applicants are asked to prepare and perform one solo dance 1-1 1/2 minutes maximum in length. The dance may be any form or genre. The applicant must design the choreography, but coaching by a teacher or instructor is permissible during preparation. The student determines the accompaniment for the dance.
In addition to the solo, please provide the following for the video:
Contemporary/Modern Combination that includes
Floorwork
InversionsBalances
Turns
Leaps
Ballet Center that includes:
Adagio
Pirouettes
Petite Allegro
Grand Allegro
Applicants will be judged on the following criteria:
Technique: Alignment, Musicality/Rhythm, Finished Movement, Strength, Flexibility, Varied Movement Vocabulary
Stage Presence: Presentation, Carriage, Display of Confidence, Body Language, Facial Expression, Dynamic
Performance of Movement: Interpretation of Movement, Connecting/Flow of Movement, Use of Technique, Execution, Musicality
Interview responses to questions related to the applicant's role in group learning
Submissions:
Preparation:
Camera: Most digital cameras, including cell phones, are perfectly fine for both the photos and videos for the adjudication. Professional photography or videography is neither required nor expected. Please ensure picture clarity. You may mount your camera on a tripod or have someone operate it for you. Auditions must be video recorded from the front, framing the whole body.
Space: Use a space free from distractions, specifically background noise.
Lighting: Ensure the lighting is adequate for the adjudicator to view, that you are not backlit, and that a lamp or sunlight is not coming through a window behind you.
Recording:
Each part should be one continuous recording with no edits or splicing.
Compile the parts together into one video file OR
You may do all parts as one continuous shot, pausing between each part to transition to the next part.
You may record your parts multiple times and choose the best one to submit.
Finalize:
Upload videos to Google Drive. Please ensure that our adjudicators can access the link.
Create a Word document with your name, discipline, and links you created above.
Save the Word doc as a PDF.