Visual and Performing Arts Talent Awards recognize high school seniors with exceptional talents in the arts including instrumental or vocal music, visual arts, theatre performance, technical theatre, sound design/audio production, and/or music composition.
Incoming first-year students pursuing any major at Michigan Tech who plan to actively participate in musical ensembles, stage productions, take coursework in visual arts, or work toward a degree, second degree, or minor offered through the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Department are welcome to apply.
You must submit your application for the Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship by February 15 at 11:59 p.m. (eastern time).
Award Value
Multiple students will be awarded annual scholarships valued up to $1,000 per year. The awards are in addition to other financial aid and scholarships awarded by Michigan Tech and are renewable for four years (eight semesters) of study based on active participation in the VPA Department.
High school seniors who have been accepted to Michigan Tech may present work in music (instrumental and vocal), theatrical dance, acting, sound, visual art, music composition, and technical theatre. If selected for a Talent Award, students must actively participate in musical ensembles, stage productions, take coursework in visual arts, or work toward a degree, second degree, or minor offered through the Visual and Performing Arts Department to retain the award.
Prepare the following elements for your audition(s).
- Visual Art: submit a 4-6 minute video of you addressing the following points
- Show one or two of your works of art and discuss your art, your creative process, and your interests
- Explain if your projects were assignments or self-directed works of art, how you make creative decisions, and what areas of your work you feel are strong or need improvement.
- Show one other work of art by a different artist (not your own work) and tell us why you respond to this artist and this work of art.
- Theatre Performance: Submit a video of you performing a short monologue from a play written after 1950. The monologue should not exceed two minutes in length. Please do not submit videos from past productions.
- Technical Theatre: Submit a video sharing your experience working in technical theatre (sets, lighting, costumes, sound, backstage management).
- Sound Design: Submit a video detailing experience you have in working with sound (live or recorded).
- Vocal Performance: Submit a video of you performing a vocal solo (art song, aria, or musical theater) that highlights your voice.
- Instrumental Performance (classical or Jazz): Submit a video of you performing a solo and scales of your choice on your selected
instrument. Audio-only submissions are disqualified. When recording your audition
video, it is recommended that you space yourself at least six feet away from the microphone
for the best audio fidelity.
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- Woodwinds: 3-5 minute solo; one major scale, two octaves; one chromatic scale, two octaves
- Brass: 3-5 minute solo; one major scale, two octaves; one chromatic scale, two octaves
- Strings: 3-5 minute song/etude/concerto movement; one major scale, three octaves; one chromatic scale, three octaves
- Piano: 3-5 minute solo; one major scale of your choice, four octaves, hands together; one chromatic scale, four octaves, hands together
- Percussion: Play a solo or etude on your selected instrument, a demonstration of time is important
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- Snare: Rudimentary awareness and dynamic control
- Timpani: Tuning, dynamics, and ability to move around the drums
- Mallets: Facility (scales may be used in addition to the solo) and multiple mallet technique
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- Jazz: Note these additional guidelines if you are interested in submitting a Jazz audition.
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- Trumpet/Trombone/Saxophone(s)/Clarinet/Flute: Using a backing track or live band, demonstrate: Melody, Improvise, Melody (songs such as Autumn Leaves, Billie’s Bounce, Straight No Chaser, All the Things You Are, or There Will Never Be Another You work well)
- Drummers: Demonstrate a variety of grooves (swing, Latin, backbeat/funk, swing with brushes)
- Bass: Walk a bass line through the changes with a play-along recording (songs such as Autumn Leaves, Billie’s Bounce, Straight No Chaser, All the Things You Are, or There Will Never Be Another You work well)
- Guitar: Demonstrate melody, improvisation, and "comping" with a play-along recording (songs such as Autumn Leaves, Billie’s Bounce, Straight No Chaser, All the Things You Are, or There Will Never Be Another You work well)
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- Music Composition Review: Submit a video discussing an original composition.
- Please record your video with a 3/4 view (from the waist up) in a well-lit room, ensuring we can clearly see your face.
- Use a tripod, an existing shelf, or have a friend or family member hold the recording device for you, ensuring proper framing and focus.
- Please use a neutral background if at all possible. Even hanging something as simple as a bedsheet behind you can improve the quality of your video. Please be sure to introduce yourself, the play, and the role you're performing at the beginning of the video.
- Complete the online application for admission.
- Prepare your audition materials—additional details are provided on the file upload portion of the application and in the How to Prepare section above.
- Submit your Talent Award application and electronic audition materials no later than 11:59 p.m. (eastern time) on February 15.
- February 15: Submit your audition by 11:59 p.m. (eastern time).
- Mid-March: Award recipients are notified; applicants not selected for an award will be notified on the Application Portal.
The faculty of the Visual and Performing Arts Department is interested in hearing and seeing artistic work by students who have been accepted into any major on campus. Students are evaluated on artistic quality and proficiency of presented work. Faculty will consider needs in programs and ensembles and the ways in which student abilities can be utilized in the department.
See our Financial Aid VPA Talent Award page for additional details.
