Kirkwood Community College Performing Arts Scholarships

Performing Arts

Our Performing Arts program cultivates creativity through performance groups, including concert band, jazz ensembles, vocal groups and theatre.

Jazz Transit and RSVP are Kirkwood’s award-winning vocal jazz ensembles, competing across the U.S. and Europe. Selected as the only U.S. choir to participate in the International Festival of Academic Choirs in the Czech Republic, Jazz Transit earned a gold medal and received two perfect scores. Although there was not a medal for their particular category, the international panel of judges was so impressed with their performance, they lobbied for the medal’s addition.

The Kirkwood Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos participate in jazz festivals across the United States and have accompanied various jazz giants including Randy Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Russell Mallone, Houston Person and others. Outstanding students have performed in the Community College All-Star Jazz Ensemble at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference.

The Kirkwood Concert Band performs exciting band literature by classic and contemporary composers and arrangers. The group comprises an eclectic mix of Kirkwood students and members of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City communites.

Our theatre students perform three main stage shows every year, ranging from classics to modern works and musicals. The program is part of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region V (KCACTF), and participates in their annual festival.

Scholarships

Kirkwood offers a large number of scholarships to fine and performing arts students each year. Both majors and non-majors can apply.

Your performance during auditions, portfolio reviews and interviews will determine your eligibility for specific music and theatre scholarships. Applications are available from Arbe Bareis at 319-398-4956 or arbe.bareis@kirkwood.edu.

You may qualify for other, non-fine and performing arts scholarships. More than half of our students used financial aid last year, and we awarded more than  $1 million in scholarships.

Visit www.kirkwood.edu/scholarships to learn more.

Auditions and Interviews

You must audition both for ensemble membership and scholarship consideration.

Instrumental Jazz Ensembles and Concert Band Auditions:

Auditions are Friday, April 17, 2009, from 12:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. or on Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Please contact Tim Feldkamp at 319-398-5598 or email him at tfeldka@kirkwood.edu. If you cannot attend either of those dates, please call or email Tim to make an appointment.

You will:

• Do sight reading and major scales.

• One solo piece with or without accompaniment (your choice).

Vocal Auditions:

Auditions are Saturday, April 18, 2009*, from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Please contact Ray Salucka at 319-398-4959 or email him at rsaluck@kirkwood.edu. If you cannot attend on that date, please call or email Ray to make an appointment.

You will perform:

• One classical solo piece with or without accompaniment.

• One Broadway/pop solo piece with or without accompaniment.

Music Theory Diagnostic Exam:

The Music Theory Diagnostic Exam will be administered on Friday, August 15, 2009, starting at 9:30 a.m. The written exam includes pitch and rhythmic notation and the basics of scales, intervals, triads and key signatures. Aural skills and sight singing components will also be administered. Prospective music majors are encouraged to take the exam by appointment during the spring or summer. Contact Dr. Beth Zamzow at (319) 398-5899 ext. 5708 or bzamzow@kirkwood.edu for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Theatre:

Auditions are by appointment only. Please call Rick D. Anderson at 319-398-5899 ext. 5389 or email him at rdander@kirkwood.edu

You will:

• Bring a one-page acting resume and have a three-minute prepared audition using:

• Age-appropriate material.

• Choice of two monologues of one and a half minutes each (comedy and drama) or one monologue lasting three minutes.

• Monologues that show your range as an actor.

• Be prepared for a short personal interview afterward. Dress like you want a scholarship.

Technical Theatre:

Theatre technicians can provide a resume of their theatre experience, including photos of past productions, if possible. Contact Doug Anderson at 319-398-4914 or e-mail doug.anderson@kirkwood.edu to schedule an interview.

Visual Arts

Our Visual Arts program cultivates creativity through a variety of classes, including painting, drawing, design, printmaking, glass, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry making, and dark room & digital photography.

Art Portfolio Review

Art portfolio reviews are by appointment only. Bring 10 original art works and/or a PowerPoint presentation or JPEGs of at least 10 works to your portfolio review. Kirkwood offers a wide variety of classes in art including Design, Sculpture, Glass, Ceramics, Printmaking, Painting, Drawing, Digital Photography and Dark Room Photography.

Contact Arbe Bareis at 319-398-4956 or abareis@kirkwood.edu for an appointment.

Why Kirkwood

• Get a world-class education at a respected, yet affordable college.

• Kirkwood’s music and theatre associate degrees easily transfer to four-year schools, and, the Performing Arts department recently established transfer agreements to BFA programs in both Minnesota and Nebraska.

• Receive personal attention in a small class setting and find what you’re looking for in our 100 career and college transfer programs.

•So, if you’re looking for a forward-thinking, cutting-edge college, look to Kirkwood.