Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Days

The Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship Competition recognizes student achievement and talent in the arts.

You may compete in more than one category among music (vocal or instrumental), theatre (acting, design, musical theatre, stage management, and technical), and/or visual art (drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, and sculpture). Students may accept only one scholarship award.

All incoming freshman and transfer students are eligible to compete, regardless of major. Competition is by invitation only.

Scholarship Awards

$3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 awards

These scholarships are in addition to any academic awards for which the student may qualify at the time of admission. Scholarships are renewable for three years beyond the freshman year. Each May, students are required to complete a brief form in order to receive the VPA scholarship award for the following academic year.

How to Apply

Apply Online!

If you are selected to compete, you will receive an invitation via email. Invited participants must prepare for an audition/interview, as specified below in the Competition Details section.

Competition Details

If you are invited to compete, you are required to participate virtually.
The competition will include a portfolio review (visual art), an interview with a faculty member and audition (music), or audition/interview (theatre).

Art Portfolio Review Information

You will review your portfolio with several University of Lynchburg art faculty members.

Portfolio Requirements

Your portfolio will consist of:

8-10 works that demonstrate your range of proficiencies and best document the depth and breadth of your potential in art
A typed, double-spaced, one-page statement indicating your desire to pursue the art scholarship competition and future goals as they relate to art

Purpose of the Portfolio

The portfolio will demonstrate your:

Ability to create from a personal perspective that embodies a sense of creativity
Awareness of the effective use of media, tools, and materials
Command of the formal elements of art within the appropriate contexts
Ability to establish personal criteria, set goals, and pursue independent creative production
Technical skill in one or more areas
Ability to present finished works of art/design appropriately for public review

Portfolio Review Process

The process:

You will arrange your work on studio tables.
Introduce yourself to the art faculty and initiate a discussion of your work by explaining the objectives, media, etc. of the pieces.
Faculty will engage you in a conversation about your work and provide concluding observations.

Music Audition Information

If your performance requires accompaniment, it is preferred that you bring your own accompanist or a high quality accompaniment tape. If you provide accompanist parts at the time of application submission, a staff accompanist will be available.

Voice

Prepare two classical or Broadway songs in contrasting nature (style, tempo, mood). Performance in a foreign language for at least one piece is encouraged but not required. Both pieces must be memorized (approximately 6 to 10 minutes total).

Woodwinds

Prepare two selections in contrasting styles (approximately 3 to 6 minutes total). You will also be asked to perform a chromatic scale ascending and descending the full range of the instrument.

Brass

Prepare two selections in contrasting styles or one longer composition with contrasting movements (approximately 3 to 6 minutes total). You will also be asked to perform a chromatic scale ascending and descending the full range of the instrument.

Strings

Prepare two selections or movements in contrasting styles (3 to 6 minutes total). It is preferred that one be a movement from a major concerto. One may be an étude that shows your level of technical development. You will also be asked to perform one major scale of your choice.

Percussion

A prepared solo on snare drum, timpani, and mallet percussion instrument (all three are required; 3 to 6 minutes total).

Keyboard

Prepare two selections in contrasting styles, or one longer composition with contrasting movements (3 to 6 minutes total). You will also be asked to perform one major scale of your choice.

Theatre and Musical Theatre Audition/Interview Process

The adjudicators are University of Lynchburg theatre faculty members. Auditions must include the following:

Acting Applicants

Prepare two contrasting monologues, memorized, of no more than two minutes each. Material should be of good literary quality, suited to your age and experience, active more than narrative, without extremes of profanity.

Musical Theatre Applicants

Prepare two musical theatre songs: one up tempo and one ballad of around two minutes each. At least one of the songs should be from a musical written before 1965. No a cappella singing. Please bring your sheet music in the right key for the accompanist.

Technical Theatre Applicants

For the interview, bring a portfolio or any type of material that helps illustrate your experience, such as:

Programs with your name indicating responsibilities on various productions
Your technical drawings, light plots, costume sketches, make-up designs, set designs, etc.
Photos of costumes, sets, lighting, makeup, etc. that you created
Stage manager’s prompt books, assignments, etc.

Prepare a 5-10 minute presentation explaining your best work. Following the presentation, you will have a 15-minute interview with faculty.

Questions?

Nicole Marburger
Associate Director of Admissions
Event Coordinator

434.544.8390
marburger_n@lynchburg.edu