Applications for incoming students '25-'26 open on November 6th

Please check back regularly for any updates. We do not try to change dates, requirements, steps, etc., but if something does change, it will be on the website.

Application Checklist

What do you need to apply? There are three steps to complete. The first two steps are due by  January 24th, 2025 (Enroll Austin is open until February 4th, but we will start auditions prior to the final deadline. Students who submit after January 24th will audition between February 10-14th as available).

Recruitment Slideshow

Sign Up for Parent Zoom Information Call

Sign Up for Audition Workshop

You must reside within the AISD school district to apply and be an incoming 9th or 10th grader. 

Audition and Portfolio Review Requirements for All Majors

Find the major(s) you wish to audition for below. Carefully read through what is expected for you to show the faculty judges. Start preparing for your audition now! You should take a minimum of 2-3 months of practice / portfolio development to be ready. 

If you have general questions about the Fine Arts Academy and the application, you can reach out to Dr. Parrott at samuel.parrott@austinisd.org 

For specific information about individual major requirements, please reach out to the department to which you are applying. We will have different opportunities for families and students to ask questions throughout the application process. Please check back for more details on event dates as they become available.

Audition Rubrics and Requirements

Click this link for the folder of Audition Rubrics.

Click this link for the folder of Audition Requirements.

BAND Majors

• Must perform a prepared solo that best demonstrates the student’s musical ability and talent level. Music must be published and available for purchase (either online or from a music store). Music from the UIL Prescribed Music List (Class I, II or III), TMEA Etudes or similar literature is preferred. Popular music/solos are not recommended. Memorization is not required.
• Bring instrument and two copies of audition music (percussionists, bring sticks/mallets only).
• Be prepared to play all 12 Major scales (written C/G/D/A/E/B/F#(Gb)/C#(Db)/Ab/Eb/Bb/F). Scales are to be performed one or two octaves (preferred). Memorization is not required, but recommended.
• Sight reading is not required for the audition.

**Percussion Auditions**

Snare

• Open to close (Slow to Fast) double stroke roll.
• Etude/solo of your choice.

AND

Mallets

• 12 major scales (memory preferred) and One octave without arpeggios.
• Etude/solo of your choice (2 or 4 mallets)

*OPTIONAL - Drum Set

If you feel like drumset is one of your strongest percussion instruments, you can prepare a drumset audition in addition to snare and mallets.

• Play the drumset part to one song.
• Demonstrate drum styles. -16 measures of: Medium swing, fast swing, funk, and latin.

*OPTIONAL - Timpani

If you feel like timpani is one of your strongest percussion instruments, you can prepare a timpani etude/solo in addition to snare and mallets.

CHORAL STUDIES Majors

• Must perform a prepared and memorized solo with live piano accompaniment (bring two copies of audition music). Accompanist will be provided by the choral faculty. Music must be published and available for purchase (either online or from a music store). Music from the UIL Prescribed Music List (Class I, II or III) or similar literature is preferred. Popular music/solos and musical theater songs are not recommended. Recommended books from which to choose audition music are any of the Alfred Publishing “Folk Songs for Solo Singers” books.
• Be prepared to sight-read and to vocalize.
• Interview; be prepared to answer questions on experience or interest in choral/vocal music

CINEMATIC ARTS Majors

• Original digital film 2-5 minutes in length AND an accompanying script of the film OR a substantial piece of creative writing (Short story, script, etc.) 
• The film can be a narrative fiction piece or a personal documentary. Narrative fiction pieces can be of a specific genre the student is interested in or a completely original creative work. Personal documentary is just a short autobiographical piece about the student and their interests.
• You must shoot and edit the film yourself.
• Be creative. Think outside the box.
• Digital film may be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo OR you may bring it with you on your laptop ro on a usb drive (usb film file should be H.264 or Mpeg2 formatted).
• Script must be typed in proper screenplay format. Screenplay format resource (enter email on homepage): celtx.com
• Students are encouraged to bring a portfolio of any additional creative photographic work as well as illustrations or photos of visual artistic creations, paintings, sculptures, and illustrations etc.

Submission:

Video/Script OR Creative Writing example must be submitted on the attached Google Form by Saturday January 24th.

Google Form: https://forms.gle/imW1a1hEGm3H2BuF6  

CLASSICAL GUITAR Majors

• Perform a published classical guitar piece that best represents the student’s current ability.
  • Identify flashcards of all notes in first position, perform an 8-12 measure sight reading excerpt (common time signature, quarter notes and eighth notes, C major/ a minor).
• Briefly demonstrate free stroke alternations on treble strings (example: four quarter notes alternating I and M on G,B, and E strings).

COLLABORATIVE PIANO Majors

• Perform two prepared pieces of contrasting styles (should be on UIL Class I solo repertoire lists or of equal difficulty)
• Perform all major/harmonic minor scales (minimum two octaves in parallel motion); basic I-IV-V7-I chord progressions in all keys; simple transposition of a short melody with choral accompaniment
• Sight-reading
• Interview covering the applicant’s piano history will be included.

COLLEGIATE PREP. DANCE Majors

The auditions for MAC Dance will include a pre-recorded individual audition and interview, and a group audition.

• The group audition includes ballet, modern, jazz and guided dance improvisation.
  • Please wear form fitting dance attire and bring all dance shoes that you own. (Dance shoes are not required.)
  • Please pull your hair back away from your face.
• For the individual pre-recorded audition, the student should prepare a 1-2 minute solo in the dance style of their choice.
  • Any and all styles are welcome.
  • Please do not wear costumes.
  • Music is not required if the dancer wishes to dance in silence or acapella.
  • Please record in a large open space that shows your entire body the whole time, including any jumps and/or floorwork. A dance studio is preferred, but not required.
  • Your dance can be self-choreographed or choreographed by someone else.
  • At the beginning of the video, please introduce yourself, clearly stating your first and last name.
  • The dance portion of the video should come first and then the interview, together in one video. You may do this in one take, or edit the two sections together.
  • For the interview portion, please answer the questions below.
    • What do you know and admire about our dance program?
    • MAC Dance invests in professional choreographers, provides opportunities for college visits, and teaches a curriculum that prepares you for a college dance program and a professional dance career. With that in mind, how can MAC dance help you achieve your goals?
    • Tell us about your professionalism and personality in dance class, rehearsals, and performances.
  • Please restate the question as a part of your answer or have someone off camera ask you the questions.

• Upload your final video as a link to this Google Form by Friday January 24th

COLOR GUARD Majors

The auditions for MAC Color Guard will include a pre-recorded individual audition and interview, and a group audition.

• The group audition will include a learned movement piece and choreography with a piece of color guard equipment. 
  • Please wear form fitting dance attire and come with your hair pulled back and out of your face
  • Natural make-up is recommended 

• For the prepared solo: A video submission
  • Solo must be between 45 seconds to a minute long.
  • Any style of dance is acceptable to show off any skills you have.
  • Solo is to any song of your choosing but must be a school appropriate song.
  • Please showcase any tricks, floor work, leaps, jumps, and/or flexibility.
  • This solo should be self choreographed or something learned by a dance educator is acceptable.
  • Please state your name in the beginning of the video.
  • Please record in dance attire (no costumes) and in an open space with space to move around. 
  • Upload final video as a link to this google form by Friday January 24th

• For the Dance and equipment portion
  • The dance portion is to grasp your ability to learn a set of choreography in a timed setting.
  • Learned dance style may range from jazz funk, hip hop, contemporary, or lyrical.
  • The equipment portion will utilize a flag (a piece of equipment utilized in color guard) 

• The audition process will include group learning of dance and equipment. After that we will break into small groups and will have a chance to do all the learned pieces. 

• We will have an interview portion, the questions below will be asked:
  • What are some characteristics of a great performer and storyteller?
  • What is something you want to take away from the MAC Guard program? 
  • What are some goals you have for yourself or the group?
  • With being a premier program in North Austin, what are some aspects you can bring to the program?

ORCHESTRA Majors

• Must perform a prepared solo that best demonstrates the student’s musical ability and talent level. Music must be published and available for purchase (either online or from a music store). Music from the UIL Prescribed Music List (Class I, II or III), TMEA Etudes or similar literature is preferred. Popular music/solos are not recommended. 
•  Memorization is not required.
  • Bring instrument and two copies of audition music

PERFORMANCE THEATRE Majors

Step 1:

• Students auditioning for the Performance Theatre major will need to submit all required application materials and written responses through the AISD system.

Step 2:

• Students auditioning for the Performance Theatre major will need to submit a pre-screen audition video that includes the following:

•  a one-minute-long monologue from a play (not a musical, film, TV show, etc.) 

AND 

• a 1-minute cut of a musical theatre song (using an instrumental backing track.) 

AND

• a brief personal statement (max 1-minute) demonstrating your understanding of McCallum Fine Arts Academy expectations (discipline, commitment, rigor, etc.) and explaining your motivation for becoming a Performance Theatre Major

For your performances, do what you do best! Show us your strengths and true range. Pick roles that you like and can identify with. Read the plays and know the actual circumstances of the characters.  

We are looking for believable characterization and truthful portrayals of emotion as well as strong vocal and physical expressivity. Have fun!

• The prescreen video with monologue and musical theatre selection must be submitted as one youtube video (labeled as private) to the attached Google Form by Friday, January 24th for consideration.

Google Form: https://forms.gle/zySan3dzu3i8Tr1e6  

Step 3: 

• Students auditioning for the Performance Theatre major will need to participate in a 1-hour In-Person Audition on Saturday, February 1, 2025. 

• This part of the audition process consists of group activities and improvisations and a possible interview or second monologue performance as determined by directors.

Let us get to know YOU!  We are looking for students who not only take risks and put themselves out there but who also listen attentively, demonstrate respect and self-discipline, support others, and work well collaboratively.  Show us your true personality!  

TECHNICAL THEATRE Majors

• Interview; be prepared to answer questions on experience or interest in technical theatre and bring any applicable supporting materials (photographs, etc.), as well as discuss the short answers submitted with the application materials.
  • Please choose one item below to create and submit, based on your primary interest:
    • Design and create a model of a set that would be representative of your favorite celebrity’s birthday party.
    • Create a costume plot for your favorite play or short story with a descriptive paragraph explaining your interpretation of the characters and with either hand drawn sketches or a gallery of acquired images to support your design
    • Prepare a prompt script a stage manager would use for a short play or musical including notations for set changes, sound cues, and lighting cues.
    • Submit a 3 – 5 minute audio recording that is representative of your life. Include audio clips from published music, sound effects and audio recording.

VISUAL ARTS Majors

Portfolio of MINIMUM 12-15 unique and completed art pieces. No Maximum (More than the minimum is strongly encouraged as it shows dedication to the arts.) All works should be from the last three years.  Sketches and sketchbooks are not considered completed works. Sketches are supplements that help demonstrate your process.

Portfolios should include:

• A realistic self-portrait 
  • Drawing or painting with value/shading 
  • Minimum size 10”x14” No maximum.
  • Should be made with traditional drawing/painting materials (ex. Graphite, color pencil, acrylic paint, oil paint, pastel, charcoal…)
  • Rendered by hand. (no traced or projected pieces)
• 3-D art (i.e. sculpture, ceramics, found-object)
  • At least one 3-D piece should be included
  • Work should focus on the use of three-dimensional (3-D) skills of art and design.
• Drawings from observation (i.e. still-life, landscape, figure/life drawing, a pet)
  • At least 3 drawings
  • Demonstrate strong values/shading
  • Should be drawn from life not from photos
  • Rendered by hand. (no traced or projected pieces)
• Examples of work from your middle school art classes
  • Including any 2D and 3D works created in middle school art classes
  • Variety of media/style is encouraged
  • May include sketchbooks/ process sketches
• Artwork and creative pieces completed outside of the school setting
  • At least 1 artwork
  • Artwork created at home, art camp, workshop or a community center.
  • Images of collaborative artworks such as murals and mosaics.
  • Digital images of work created independently using design software. (photoshop, procreate…)

Audition will include an interview and an on-site drawing assignment. Portfolios will be brought in at the time of the audition.The portfolio or container you bring will not be part of the audition process. There is no need to mat or frame your artwork. 

The application assessment portion of the rubric consists of short answer essays, teacher recommendations and grades that are evaluated in addition to the portfolio audition.

Audition Scoring and Ranking

The arts are inherently a combination of objective and subjective observations and our audition process is no different. Similar to a written test-based process, we are able to observe the amount and quality of work through an objective lens based on the use of our rubric as a scoring criteria. Unlike a written test-based process, some of the scoring criteria require our Academy Major teachers to observe the work through a subjective lens. This is the inherent nature of observing works of art and scoring can sometimes differ from a different teacher or arts enthusiast. Please understand that while we wish we could take every student who applies to McCallum Fine Arts Academy, we are limited in the available number of seats in any given Academy Major. Every student is observed and scored based on their unique abilities and seat ranking is taken very seriously. We continue to refine our process every year, but we ensure every applicant and family that everyone is given equitable opportunity to attend the McCallum Fine Arts Academy.