Vocal Music, Visual Arts, Photography, Drama, Dance, Chamber Music, and Creative Writing

Criteria

Students must have finished the 9th grade, ages 15-19, and demonstrated marked proficiency in either instrumental or vocal music through an audition process, artistic skills through submission of a slide portfolio, acting skills through a video tape/CD audition, or creative writing through submission of writing samples. There is no language requirement.

In examining completed applications, we ask two fundamental questions: First, is this student prepared artistically and academically to meet the challenges of the program and, secondly, is this person going to make a good ambassador for school and country by taking constructive advantage of opportunities, exploring new interests and ideas, and making healthy contributions to the program. We examine teacher recommendations and the audition tape, portfolio or writing samples to answer this first question. We rely heavily on the student essays and the recommendations to answer the second question.

Audition CDs/DVDs/Tapes

Chamber Music: Chamber Music: Applicants must submit an audiotape or CD that demonstrates his/her instrumental proficiency. It should contain two contrasting works or movements from standard repertoire on the given instrument. Example: Violin - one unaccompanied movement from a 19th century concerto with cadenza. Mark the audition tape or CD with applicant's name, school, instrument, names of pieces and composers.

Vocal Music: Applicants must submit a performance CD or audio tape that demonstrates his/her vocal proficiency. It should contain two contrasting styles, one in a foreign language. Mark the audition tape or CD with the applicant's name, school, instrument, vocal range, names of pieces and composers.

Dance: Include a full-body photograph; a list of training experiences (indicate modern/jazz/etc..), dates, names & locations of schools, and names of teachers; a DVD or VHS audition no longer than 5 minutes that exemplifies the student's technical and artistic abilities. This can either be a short modern dance solo that demonstrates ability to move in space, dynamic range and use of floor; or a ballet solo no longer than 2 minutes.

Drama: Submit a Drama resume including productions, roles played, dates and any pertinent descriptive information, along with a DVD or videotape of two different monologues performed by the applicant. Label the tape/DVD with the applicant's name, school and monologues performed. In addition, write an essay relating how you would like to contribute to the drama curriculum during the Summer Session.

Visual Arts & Photography: Students must submit portfolios consisting of examples of work in any combination from the following areas: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture or textiles. Submissions in all areas must be submitted as slides or on a CD. Either place 10 examples of your work in a notebook slide sleeve holder or burn 10 images of your work on a disc. Label disc or slides with applicant's name, school and medium.

Creative Writing: Submit two samples of your writing that are indicative of your technical skills and your dedication to writing. In addition, write an essay relating how you would like to use your writing time during the Summer Session. Be sure to add your name and school on your submissions.

Application Procedures

1. Completed application form with photo, preferably a school picture.
2. Essays I and II, typewritten.
3. Recommendation Form A and Form B: Fill in your name on each recommendation form, have both recommendations returned to you in separate, sealed envelopes (which you provide) with the signature of the faculty member signed across the sealed envelope to enhance confidentiality. All recommendations must be typewritten.
4. Audition cd, DVD, tape or portfolio submitted with the above specifications. DVDs, tapes, cds and portfolios become part of the application process and will not be returned.
5. $75.00 application fee: Please make your check payable to Spoleto Study Abroad. This fee is non-refundable and is not applied to tuition.
6. All required application materials must be submitted in the requested format and in one packet.

Eligibility

Students must have finished the ninth grade and demonstrate marked proficiency in either instrumental or vocal music through an audition process or artistic skills through submission of a portfolio. There is no language requirement.

Fees

The fee for Spoleto Study Abroad Session I (July 1-26) is $6,100; Session II (July 1- 14) is $3,200. This fee includes tuition, all meals, lodging, materials, all field trip related transportation within Italy, and entrance fees for group activities. Expenses not included in this fee are: round-trip airfare to Rome, passport fees, tuition/airline insurance, and personal expenses such as laundry, snacks, telephone calls, faxes and spending money.

Application and Payment

In consideration of your application processing, a $75 application fee is required with this application. Tuition for Session I (July 1-July 26) is $6,100. Tuition for Session II (July 1 - July 14) is $3,200. Upon acceptance, an $850 deposit is due by March 15, 2010 in consideration of program planning and reservation of your place in the program. The remainder is payable in full by April 30, 2010.

Refunds

The $75 application fee and the $850 deposit are not refundable. The tuition payment is fully refundable until May 1, 2010.

Transportation

All students departing from the U.S. wishing to travel with the Spoleto Study Abroad staff/group flight will be given specific flight information upon acceptance into the program. Students will be met at the Fiumicino Airport in Rome on the morning of July 2 by our staff for transportation by charter bus to Spoleto. Instructions for the specific group flights will be announced at the time of acceptance into the program. Our seasoned travel agent will assist each student with travel plans to Rome.

Supervision and Guidelines

As summer "guests" of the town of Spoleto, the guidelines by which we live consist both of rules to obey and Italian traditions to respect. Our basic code is to forbid any behavior that is illegal, antisocial, or dangerous, either to the student or to the group. Smoking is not allowed. Possession, use or any contact with those in possession of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. Driving any motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and motorbikes is prohibited.

General Behavior

For obvious reasons, students are expected to maintain a standard of behavior representative of the program. Excessive noise, abuse of property or facilities and similar lapses from this standard are strictly forbidden. Our faculty-in-residence take responsibility for maintaining standards of behavior, in addition to their primary role as teachers and advisors. Both to protect our students' well-being and to respect the rules and standards of Spoleto Study Abroad, we must reserve the right to send home, at the family's expense, any student who violates these rules.