Prospectives on campus

By Michelle Anstett
Courier Staff

College decisions can be tough, but watching current music students perform in a concert may have made some high school seniors’ decisions a bit easier.

These students saw a concert performed by two MC musical groups on Saturday, Feb. 4 and 11, in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium.

Students auditioning for scholarships in music, theater and art were invited to remain on campus and attend a concert featuring the Monmouth College Chorale and Wind Ensemble. Auditions in the three areas took place in the morning, followed by lunch and the opportunity to see the concert.

Michelle Carlson, assistant director of admission, estimated that, this year, Monmouth College will see somewhere between 90 and 100 students who audition for fine arts scholarships. Students must be admitted in order to audition, and can receive up to $3,000 for their talents.

Students wishing to be considered for music scholarships must have prepared two pieces in contrasting styles – and in different languages for vocal auditions.

Art students were asked to bring 12 to 15 pieces of their best work in any genre.

Students auditioning in theater had to bring a portfolio of work for technical theater, or to prepare two contrasting, two-minute monologues for acting auditions.

Those attending the Fine Those attending the Fine Arts Days were also given the opportunity to meet with faculty members and students to discover more about their areas of interest.

Stephen Richter, director of instrumental activities, said he believes the concerts are important ways for prospective students to see the quality of the ensembles at Monmouth College. With nearly 80 percent of the students involved in the music program being non-majors, Richter thinks the concerts make it “easier for them (prospective students) to envision themselves fitting in and being challenged.”

Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies, Sarah Graham, agreed. She said the concerts give students an idea of the groups available for them to perform in, as well as the quality of each group. The concert “allows them to think about where they might fit” into the music program, as MC offers a wide variety of performance opportunities.

Practice for this concert, in comparison to other concerts, was severely limited, both directors commented. Since the groups only had two weeks to prepare the pieces to be performed, the amount of pieces to choose from was limited. Richter chose one traditional march, a lyrical piece, and a difficult piece in order to show off the Wind Ensemble’s variety as well as “technical abilities.”

Richter said while the actual pieces played for the concert were easier than normal, this concert was more difficult for most of his students to play. Most of them had been working all day assisting with auditions, so playing a concert in the afternoon was a challenge because they were exhausted. His goal for the concert was to “get them focused to play, energized to perform, and done” so they could rest.”

Both Graham and Richter thought the groups performed very well and competently represented the music department to prospective students.