Ballet

Ballet audition requirements

In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Jacobs School of Music Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is adapting our audition procedures for 2021-2022 admissions to meet state and university guidelines related to COVID-19.

Bachelor of Science in Music (B.S.), Bachelor of Science in Music and an Outside Field (B.S.O.F.)

Prescreen required for all applicants.

Ballet dept. email: ballet@indiana.edu 
Ballet dept. phone: 812-855-6787

Prescreen

Submit a video recording via the JSOM Supplemental application by Dec. 1. Recording should be no more than 10 minutes in length, including:

  • At the Barre: Développés on one side and Grand Battements on the other. No additional barre exercises are needed.
  • In the Centre: Adagio both sides (showing first arabesque), Pirouettes (both sides), Small Jumps, Petit Allegro and Grand Allegro.

Dress code

  • Female Identifying Dancers: pointe shoes, leotard, and pink tights – no skirts please
  • Male Identifying Dancers: fitted T-shirt and tights

Audition

If your prescreen is accepted, due to the uncertain circumstances associated with Covid-19, we will ask you to submit a video audition in lieu of an in-person audition.  Please see the “dress code” language stated above for your appearance in this video.

All second round audition videos are due by Feb. 1 and should contain:

  • A video introduction in which you state your name, your current school and teachers, why you choose to practice ballet and why specifically you chose to audition for the IU JSoM Ballet Department.
  • You will receive a video via email of barre and centre combinations to be performed for this video recording round. Please film alternating sides for each combination at the barre, one recording per side, and both sides of all centre combinations.
  • PLEASE NOTE: BOTH Barre and Centre must be on pointe for female identifying dancers
  • Two solo variations of your choosing: One should be from classical ballet repertoire (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Don Quixote, Giselle, Le Corsaire, ) The other variation can be a neoclassical or contemporary variation of your choice.
  • Please limit the length of your video to 45 minutes maximum length.

Please reach out to swroth@iu.edu with any questions.

Final recorded auditions must be video recordings and are due byFebruary 1, 2021.

Step 1:Submit your JSOM Supplemental application by December 1, 2020.

Step 2: Submit your recorded audition by February 1, 2021. We will reopen your application after December 1 and advise you on how to submit your recordings. Some departments may also schedule a live virtual audition/ interview. We will communicate via email to schedule those events.

  • If your department requires a prescreen, remember to submit your prescreen with your JSOM Supplemental application by December 1, 2020. You will first be notified of your prescreen results via email. If you are invited to the audition round, we will then reopen your application and notify you to submit your final recorded audition.
    The Jacobs School of Music is committed to providing equal opportunity to all applicants and seeks talent in performance, pedagogy, and scholarship. This talent is found in individuals of any race, creed, or socio-economic status. If lack of access to technology or other assets will affect your ability to have a successful audition for the Jacobs School, we urge you to reach out to musicadm@indiana.edu so that we may assist you in finding a solution. 
Learn more about auditions and prescreenings

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