Step 3: Portfolio Submission
In addition to completing the online application, student applicants to Roxbury's Choice Program for the Fine & Performing Arts are to submit a portfolio.
Choose the area that pertains:
for Visual Arts
What to Submit:
Personal Statement: This statement should include the applicant’s motivation for applying to the school of choice; the contributions that the applicant will bring to the school; and how the future goals of the applicant will benefit from admission to the program. (Maximum 200 words. Should be typed on its own page with applicant's name and heading at the top, as if it were being handed in for a Language Arts assignment.)
Portfolio: Eight to ten pieces of high quality work, 2-D or 3-D, including a minimum of two observational drawings. (Standards of Excellence provided in this section.)
Submission Format and Deadline:
Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Share Personal Statement and Portfolio in a folder through Google Drive:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with a link to a Google Drive folder containing your Personal Statement and Portfolio.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Portfolio and Personal Statement.
Google Drive folder should be named as follows: Last Name, First Name -- Choice 2024-2025
Files in the folder should be titled according to the applicant's name and number of work. i.e. Last Name, First Name -- Artwork 1
Option 2: Visit your local Post Office and have your Personal Statement and Portfolio mailed to our Board Office:
Use the following address for your mailing: Roxbury Board of Education, Attn: Choice School, Lauren Dubek, 42 North Hillside Avenue, NJ 07876
Your mailed package must be received prior to 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Personal Statement and Portfolio.
Option 3: Submit Personal Statement and Portfolio in Person:
You can deliver your Personal Statement and Portfolio in person to Lauren Dubek at the following address, from M-F between the hours of 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Roxbury Board of Education, 42 North Hillside Avenue, NJ 07876
Standards of Excellence:
for a Visual Arts Portfolio:
Composition Elements & Principles of Design- Original, imaginative and inventive articulation of the elements and principles of design. Highly successful.
Decision Making & Engagement- Well-informed decision making, experimentation and intention. Engages the viewer with visual qualities.
Technical Competence & Skill Mastery- Generally excellent: Materials and media are used effectively to express ideas.
Appropriation & Personal Vision- Clearly provides a visual reference that is transformed in the service of a larger, personal vision in which the student’s voice is prominent.
Portfolio Organization & Presentation-Selection of work shows exceptional range of ability. 2 or more observational drawings. High quality images; clearly displays excellent craftsmanship. Completed thorough personal statement. Submitted all criteria by deadline.
for Dance
What to Submit:
Personal Statement: This statement should include the applicant’s motivation for applying to the school of choice; the contributions that the applicant will bring to the school; and how the future goals of the applicant will benefit from admission to the program. (Maximum 200 words. Should be typed on its own page with applicant's name and heading at the top, as if it were being handed in for a Language Arts assignment.)
Digital Video Audition: The audition is to consist of a 1½ minute solo in the dance discipline of the applicant’s choice. (Standards of Excellence provided in this section.)
Submission Format and Deadline:
Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Share Personal Statement and Digital Video Audition in a folder through Google Drive:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with a link to a Google Drive folder containing your Personal Statement and Audition.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Portfolio and Audition.
Google Drive folder should be named as follows: Last Name, First Name -- Choice 2024-2025
Files in the folder should be titled according to the applicant's name and number of work. i.e. Last Name, First Name -- Audition
Option 2: Email Personal Statement and You Tube link to Digital Video Audition:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with your Personal Statement and a secure You Tube link to your Digital Video Audition.
Standards of Excellence:
for a Dance Portfolio:
Composition Elements & Principles of Design- Original, imaginative and inventive articulation of the elements and principles of design. Highly successful.
Technique- Consistently demonstrates an outstanding use of technique in all areas.
Content- All choreography explores extensive dance composition.
Musicality- Full attention to all dynamics and style changes in music.
Self Expression- Shows a high level of commitment to the intent of the piece.
Performance Quality- Consistently has a strong stage presence.
Portfolio Organization & Presentation- Audition shows exceptional range of ability. Completed thorough personal statement. Submitted all criteria by deadline.
Instrumental Music | Gr. 7-8
What to Submit:
Personal Statement: This statement should include the applicant’s motivation for applying to the school of choice; the contributions that the applicant will bring to the school; and how the future goals of the applicant will benefit from admission to the program. (Maximum 200 words. Should be typed on its own page with applicant's name and heading at the top, as if it were being handed in for a Language Arts assignment.)
Digital Video Audition of Major Scales: One or two Major scales chosen by the applicant. In the event that an applicant is unable to perform scales he/she may still submit a selection as indicated below. (However, preference is given to students who can play both scales and a selection.)
Digital Video Audition of Applicant's Choice: A one minute selection (chosen by applicant). This may include an etude, exercise, solo, or selection from current ensemble music.
(Standards of Excellence provided in this section.)
Submission Format and Deadline:
Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Share Personal Statement and Digital Video Auditions in a folder through Google Drive:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with a link to a Google Drive folder containing your Personal Statement and Auditions.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Portfolio and Auditions.
Google Drive folder should be named as follows: Last Name, First Name -- Choice 2024-2025
Files in the folder should be titled according to the applicant's name and number of work. i.e. Last Name, First Name -- Major Scales Audition
Option 2: Email Personal Statement and You Tube links to Digital Video Auditions:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with your Personal Statement and secure You Tube links to your Digital Video Auditions.
Standards of Excellence:
for an Instrumental Music Portfolio:
Tone / Intonation- Sustained characteristic sounds. Excellent intonation, consistently supported and focused tone.
Technical Facility- All correct notes. All correct fingerings and consistent pitch accuracy.
Rhythm- All correct rhythms. A steady tempo at performance speed.
Articulation- All correct articulations. Strong clarity and difference between articulations.
Musicality- Full attention to all dynamic and style markings. Strong exaggeration of markings.
Portfolio Organization & Presentation- Audition shows exceptional range of ability. Completed thorough personal statement. Submitted all criteria by deadline.
Instrumental Music | Gr. 9-12
What to Submit:
Personal Statement: This statement should include the applicant’s motivation for applying to the school of choice; the contributions that the applicant will bring to the school; and how the future goals of the applicant will benefit from admission to the program. (Maximum 200 words. Should be typed on its own page with applicant's name and heading at the top, as if it were being handed in for a Language Arts assignment.)
Digital Video Audition of Major Scales: Three Major scales chosen by the applicant. If an applicant is unable to perform scales he/she may still submit a selection as indicated below. (However, preference is given to students who can play both scales and a selection.)
Digital Video Audition of Applicant's Choice: Two contrasting one minute selections (chosen by applicant). This may include an etude, exercise, solo, or selection from current ensemble music.
(Standards of Excellence provided in this section.)
Submission Format and Deadline:
Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Share Personal Statement and Digital Video Auditions in a folder through Google Drive:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with a link to a Google Drive folder containing your Personal Statement and Auditions.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Portfolio and Auditions.
Google Drive folder should be named as follows: Last Name, First Name -- Choice 2024-2025
Files in the folder should be titled according to the applicant's name and number of work. i.e. Last Name, First Name -- Major Scales Audition
Option 2: Email Personal Statement and You Tube links to Digital Video Auditions:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with your Personal Statement and secure You Tube links to your Digital Video Auditions.
Standards of Excellence:
for an Instrumental Music Portfolio:
Tone / Intonation- Sustained characteristic sounds. Excellent intonation, consistently supported and focused tone.
Technical Facility- All correct notes. All correct fingerings and consistent pitch accuracy.
Rhythm- All correct rhythms. A steady tempo at performance speed.
Articulation- All correct articulations. Strong clarity and difference between articulations.
Musicality- Full attention to all dynamic and style markings. Strong exaggeration of markings.
Portfolio Organization & Presentation- Audition shows exceptional range of ability. Completed thorough personal statement. Submitted all criteria by deadline.
Vocal Music
What to Submit:
Personal Statement: This statement should include the applicant’s motivation for applying to the school of choice; the contributions that the applicant will bring to the school; and how the future goals of the applicant will benefit from admission to the program. (Maximum 200 words. Should be typed on its own page with applicant's name and heading at the top, as if it were being handed in for a Language Arts assignment.)
Digital Video Audition: Audition should consist of a one minute solo (accompanied or unaccompanied), and one verse of America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee).
(Standards of Excellence provided in this section.)
Submission Format and Deadline:
Choose one of the following:
Option 1: Share Personal Statement and Digital Video Audition in a folder through Google Drive:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with a link to a Google Drive folder containing your Personal Statement and Audition.
Within five (5) business days following your submission, you will receive an email from Lauren confirming her receipt of your Portfolio and Audition.
Google Drive folder should be named as follows: Last Name, First Name -- Choice 2024-2025
Files in the folder should be titled according to the applicant's name and number of work. i.e. Last Name, First Name -- Vocal Music Audition
Option 2: Email Personal Statement and You Tube link to Digital Video Audition:
Email Lauren Dubek (ldubek@roxbury.org) by 4:00 PM on Friday, December 1, 2023 with your Personal Statement and a secure You Tube link to your Digital Video Audition.
Standards of Excellence:
for a Vocal Music Portfolio:
Rhythm and Pitches- Student has virtually no errors. All pitches/rhythms are accurately performed.
Diction- Student articulates clearly and the text is easily understood.
Vocal Production- Student’s mouth is a tall, relaxed oval (2 fingers wide) with a relaxed tongue.
Tone Quality- Student’s tone quality is consistently clear throughout the range of the voice. Student clearly practices techniques.
Pitch- Student consistently displays a good sense of pitch, being able to sing on pitch and discern when he/she is not.
Portfolio Organization & Presentation- Audition shows exceptional range of ability. Completed thorough personal statement. Submitted all criteria by deadline.
Roxbury Choice Program Application Process- Step 1: Notice of Intent to Participate Form | Step 2: Online Application | Step 3: Portfolio Submission | Step 4: Documentation of Services