2022-2023 Music and Theatre Scholarship Audition Information 
         A college education is one of the most rewarding investments most of us ever make. Scholarship programs 
         enable Iowa Central students to invest in their future. Numerous scholarships are available for students who 
         exemplify outstanding scholarship and/or exhibit talent and creativity. 
         Iowa Central is committed to recognizing and rewarding outstanding students. To be awarded a scholarship, 
         students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, a letter of recommendation and attend a scholarship interview. Once 
         awarded, students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, participate actively in productions, enroll in the required courses 
         stipulated in the scholarship award, and complete required grade check forms. 
         This year we will be offering multiple audition days to attend. These audition dates will consist of an 
         opportunity to meet with our admissions staff, tours of campus available, introduction of the directors in 
         music and theatre, lunch with the fine arts department and individual 15-minute appointments with the 
         director of your scholarship interest. Shelly Bottorff, college and community fine arts director & accompanist, 
         will be handling the scheduling for the scholarship times. When you sign up for the audition, please mark the 
         day you would be available, they will get back to you with the meeting invitation and the time they have 
         scheduled. If you are auditioning for more than one scholarship, you will want to budget 40 minutes to 2 
         hours.  Audition slots will be available between 9:00 – 2:00. 
         Audition Dates: 
         We encourage students to choose the earlier dates in January and February. 
                               OPTION #1: Friday, January 28 
                              OPTION #2: Friday, February 25 
                               OPTION #3: Friday, March 25 
                                OPTION #4: Friday, April 22 
         Please request audition no later than the Monday prior to your audition day to allow for scheduling and 
         availability. If these times do fill up, we will be opening up additional dates or individual appointments. 
         Auditions can also be scheduled on any Senior Visit Day, please contact Admissions no later than 1 week 
         prior to visit.  
         NO walk-ins will be accepted for auditions. 
         Feel free to audition for multiple scholarships on the same day! 
                    Please request an audition date through the Iowa Central Fine Arts Website: 
                      http://www.iowacentral.edu/performing_arts/scholarship_audition.asp 
          
              Sample of Scholarship Audition Day Itinerary 
              Scholarship Slots Available in Morning and Afternoon 
              Tour of Campus Offered 10:00 am 
              Attend an Acting I Class 10:30 – 11:30 
              Lunch with the Department at 12:15 
              Opportunity to visit Concert Choir from 12:45 – 1:45 
              Theatre 
              Scholarships are available to students interested in theatre performance and technical theatre.  
              For the audition, students will be asked to do a “cold reading” of selected theatrical piece. The basis of the 
              story will be explained to you prior to your reading by the director. You are welcome to bring a performance 
              piece of your own. The director will model the interpretation she would like you to use prior to you performing 
              it, but can send pieces ahead of time for you to become familiar with the texts. Please do not memorize! We 
              will simply be listening to how you handle dialogue and how you incorporate suggested interpretation of the 
              reading. If you have something else you would like to perform or share, that’s great, but it is not required for 
              the audition. 
              Students interested in a technical theatre scholarship will meet to discuss their background experience. 
              Vocal Music 
              Iowa Central music scholarships are available to qualified students, regardless of major. 
              Students auditioning for a scholarship for vocal music should prepare two solo pieces of music that best 
              showcase their talent and vocal range. Two musical selections of a different nature (ex. Aria and Broadway 
              Show Tune) are recommended but not required. The student may also be asked to perform tonal memory at 
              the audition. Songs used for All State auditions and Solo Contest may also be great audition pieces. There will 
              be a pianist available for the audition. Bring a copy of the sheet music in the key to be performed for auditions 
              taking place at Iowa Central. You may also use a karaoke track to sing along with. 
              Instrumental Music 
              Iowa Central music scholarships are available to qualified students participating in an instrumental ensemble, 
              regardless of major. Songs rehearsed for All State auditions and Solo Contest may also make great audition 
              pieces. No accompaniment is necessary. 
              Audition Requirements: 
              A letter of recommendation from a music teacher or mentor is suggested but not required. 
              Brass or Woodwind: 
                  •    Two contrasting selections, one showing lyrical abilities, the other showing technical abilities. (These 
                      selections may come from the same composition.) 
                  •   A chromatic scale covering the full range of the instrument and ALL major scales.                   (music 
                      majors only). 
                   
        For those wishing additional consideration for jazz (including piano, bass or guitar): 
            • Prepared excerpt from a jazz band selection, preferably in a swing or latin style (i.e. - Real Book, Play 
            Along, Etude, or band music). 
            • Improvisation over Bb blues or other tune of your choosing. (optional) 
            • Demonstration of improvised bass line on Bb or F blues. (bass) 
            • Demonstration of improvised comping on Bb or F blues. (guitar, piano) 
        Percussion: 
            • An excerpt (approx.. 45-60 seconds) of a solo/etude on as many of the following instruments as 
            possible: snare drum, tympani, keyboard percussion (preferably marimba), multiple percussion. (Music 
            majors must demonstrate 2 snare drum excerpts, one of rudimental style, and one of orchestral style.) 
            • Demonstrate the following snare drum rudiments at controlled, maximum tempo: multiple bounce 
            (orchestral) roll, double stroke (rudimental) roll, paradiddles, flams (alternating), drags (alternating) 
        For those wishing additional consideration for jazz: 
            • Short examples (approx. 30 seconds) of time keeping and light fills in the following styles and 
            tempos: medium swing (quarter note=132, sticks and brushes), up-tempo swing (184), jazz waltz (160), 
            bossa nova (120), and funk (96). 
            • Prepared excerpt from a jazz band selection, preferably in a swing or latin style, demonstrating time, 
            fills, and chart interpretation (i.e. – Play Along, ensemble piece) 
        Those wishing additional consideration for jazz, please let us know in advance. 
        Karl King Memorial Education Foundation 
        The Karl King Memorial Educational Foundation exists to provide instrumental scholarships for student 
        performers. Two $500 scholarships are awarded each year to student performers at Iowa Central. Paul 
        Bloomquist serves as the scholarship chair for the Karl King Memorial Educational Foundation. Please contact 
        Paul Bloomquist directly for application materials. Applications are due April 22, 2022. 
        Faculty & Staff of the Music and Theatre Program 
        Director of Theatre: Teresa Jackson (Jackson@iowacentral.edu) 
        Director of Instrumental Music: Paul Bloomquist (Bloomquist@iowacentral.edu) 
        Director of Vocal Music: Will Lopes (lopes@iowacentral.edu) 
        College and Community Fine Arts Director & Accompanist: Shelly Bottorff (bottorff@iowacentral.edu) 
        Technical Theatre Coordinator: Ashley Garst (garst@iowacentral.edu) 
        Decker Auditorium Manager: Scott Deuel (deuel@iowacentral.edu) 
        Non-Discrimination Statement 
        It is the policy of the Iowa Central Community College not to discriminate in its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, 
        color, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual or potential family, parental, or 
        marital status. 
          
        If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please contact Stacy Ihrig, Human Resources, 515-574-
        1138, ihrig@iowacentral.edu,  or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. 
        Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, 
        Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov