Auditions will consist of ALL students being assessed for vocal ability. In addition, any student that has studied an instrument should bring their instrument to the audition with a prepared music piece. Students auditioning on piano or drum set may use GAMP’s instruments. Please remember that all students will be required to sing.
Audition Requirements
- Vocal Audition: ALL STUDENTS perform a vocal audition. Each student should prepare 32 measures of a piece of music. It can be a verse and chorus of a popular song. Any genre is acceptable. You can sing to a karaoke track or you can sing a cappella.
- Instrumental Audition: If you play an instrument, please bring a prepared piece to play. You will also be asked to play scales and perform sight reading as well.
All auditions will take place at GAMP. There is only street parking available. Please enter through the glass doors on 22nd Street to sign in for your audition. Please do not arrive early for your audition. We are a small school with limited space and won’t be able to open the doors more than 5 minutes before your start time. Total wait time for auditions can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on many factors. Please plan accordingly and bring water and a snack! At your arrival your child will be taken directly to the audition room and parents will wait in the auditorium where one of our student volunteers will bring them after they have finished with their audition. More info about the auditions is on our website: gamp.philasd.org/admissions/
This is an invitation to audition only and not a letter of acceptance to the school. All notifications of acceptance will be provided by the School District of Philadelphia. If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Essery at lessery@philasd.org
Q&A
How long does the audition take?
The audition process may take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour, depending on wait time. Each student is given individualized attention during their audition. We suggest that students bring a book to read or schoolwork to complete while they are waiting. Electronic devices are not permitted during auditions. Please keep in mind that professional behavior is expected from all applicants throughout their audition, including in the waiting rooms. Parents/Guardians will remain in our theater while their student is auditioning. Representatives from GAMP will be available to answer questions about our school or the admissions process. Parents/Guardians are NOT permitted to enter the audition areas with their student. Excused absence notes can be provided by GAMP at the conclusion of the audition.
Do I have to sing for my audition?
YES! All GAMP students participate in our choir. The human voice is an instrument that we all possess, and through singing in choir, students experience collaborative music making and working together as an ensemble.
What should I sing for my audition?
Please prepare ANY song of your choosing. Any genre is acceptable, and the length should be approx. a verse and the chorus of the song. Please select something that is meaningful to you, and avoid “simple” songs like Happy Birthday or Jingle Bells. If you sing in a choir at your current school or place of worship, you may use a song you’ve performed there. You may bring sheet music for one of the teachers to play piano, a karaoke track on your phone, or sing a cappella.
Who will be watching my audition?
You will complete your audition one-on-one with a teacher. There will be no other students or parents in the room with you. This allows for a calm environment, free of distractions, where the teacher can ask you about your musical interests and hear your skills. Students who play an instrument will do that portion first, and then will complete their vocal audition either with the same teacher, or will be moved to a different room and heard by another teacher.
Can I sing and play at the same time?
If you play piano or guitar and would like to accompany yourself while you sing, you are welcome to do so! The teacher listening to your audition may still ask you demonstrate any scales or other technical skills that you know on the piano or guitar.
Should I bring my own instrument to the audition?
Students auditioning for instrumental and playing a band or orchestra instrument, or guitar, must provide their own instrument for the audition. Students auditioning on piano, harp, upright bass, or drums may use GAMP’s instruments.
I just started playing an instrument this year. Should I audition on that instrument?
You should definitely continue studying and practicing your new instrument! However, we ask that only students who have been learning an instrument consistently for over a year to audition. Please note: being able to play an instrument does not give any advantages over students who do not.
If I am accepted to GAMP, do I need to keep playing my instrument?
Yes. If you audition on an instrument, are accepted and choose to attend GAMP, then you will enrolled in an ensemble pending in a successful audition, and are expected to continue studying that instrument. Students who audition vocal-only and are interested in learning a new instrument will have the opportunity when the school year begins. Students who audition vocal-only and are not qualified to play in an ensemble will take lessons only.
Can I take piano or guitar lessons at GAMP?
Individual/small group guitar and piano lessons are NOT offered at GAMP. We encourage students to continue studying these instruments privately on their own. All of our students have the opportunity to learn basic piano and guitar skills through their music theory and music elective classes. Students with an experienced background in piano or guitar may be interested to participate in our jazz band, musical theater pit orchestra, or sometimes be able to accompany our choirs. We also encourage students who already play piano or guitar to consider learning a band or orchestral instrument at GAMP so that they can participate in an instrumental ensemble.
Who should I contact if I was not invited to audition?
The Office of Student Placement reviews applications and determines who qualifies for an audition based on the initial application requirements. Please contact their office for additional information – GAMP does not review any applications.
