Milford Mill Academy 3800 Washington Avenue Windsor Mill, MD 21244

Vocal Music 2022-2023 Assessment Guidelines

****REVISED 1/10/22 – NOW VIRTUAL FORMAT**** 

The Vocal Music prime at Milford Mill Academy prepares students for solo and ensemble performances in a variety of musical genres including opera and musical theatre. Course work includes vocal fundamentals and technique, sight reading, and music history, theory, and criticism. Students may also work with music technology, recording, and engineering.

BCPS Magnet Transportation Information: Transportation is provided for students who are zoned for high schools in the Northwest or Southwest areas.

Magnet Coordinator(s): Tyshon Henderson-Brown (443) 809-0660 thenderson2@bcps.org

Students must have submitted an application for the Vocal Music program at Milford Mill Academy by the Magnet Application Deadline of Friday, November 5, 2021, in order to assess.  

Assessment Overview  Assessment Format: Submission Deadline    Submission Deadline:  Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 @ 6 p.m. 

Submissions WILL NOT be accepted after this deadline.    Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfICW53CZLwpHT2FWkoe_nJK0kAvc2zmKdyw6TDcLAt-QMstA/viewform?usp=sf_link

WARNING: Do not submit form until all assessment documents have been uploaded!

Assessment Description: Applicants submit video performances of two musical selections.

Assessment Prep Assistance: Study Guide included

Milford Mill Academy Vocal Music

Assessment Guidelines 2022-2023 2

Assessment Components & Self Evaluation

Applicants must complete the assessment for the program to which they applied. Failure to complete an assessment will disqualify the applicant and

admission into the magnet program will be denied.

Applicants may only assess for the program(s) to which they applied. Assessments completed for a program not selected on the application will not be scored.

Documented testing accommodations, as appropriate to the assessment, will be provided.

Evaluation Component Point Values

2 Musical Selections 100 pts (50 pts each)

TOTAL 100 pts

Lottery Admission Process: According to Superintendent’s Rule 6400, at the high school level, where the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available seats, up to 20% of the seats may first be filled with candidates who achieve a minimum of 80% of the admission criteria and who score the highest scores on the magnet assessments. The remaining seats will be filled using the centralized random lottery selection process from the remaining pool of applicants (see Superintendent’s Rule 6400 for more information).

Assessment Instructions Prior to the Assessment - This MUST be completed prior to coming to the assessment. • Review the section for Preparing for the Assessment (below).

By the Submission Deadline It is the responsibility of the parent(s) to: • ensure the applicant completes the assessment on the scheduled deadline.

Failure to complete an assessment WILL result in disqualification.

• Students must use the Google Form link (on the first page and below) to upload their assessment documents by the submission deadline.

• Students will lose points for any documents not uploaded to the Google Form. Failure to submit the Google Form by the deadline will result in disqualification.

• Students must have all documents prepared and ready to upload prior to accessing the Google Form. Documents must be uploaded during the same session. All documents must be uploaded before clicking Submit. Students will only be allowed to submit once.

• Students should name each file using their first and last name and the component type in the format “LastName_FirstName_Component”. For example, the file for the first musical selection by Joe Smith would be named “Smith_Joe_Selection1”.

• Files must be no more than 100 MB for videos, 10 MB for photos, or 1 MB for documents. Files must be .jpg, .doc, .docx, .pdf, or .mp4.

Milford Mill Academy Vocal Music

Assessment Guidelines 2022-2023 3

Preparing for the Assessment

Documented testing accommodations, as appropriate to the assessment, will be provided. Submission Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfICW53CZLwpHT2FWkoe_nJK0kAvc2zmKdyw6TDcLAt-QMstA/viewform?usp=sf_link Submission Deadline: Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 @ 6pm

Assessment Description: Applicants will submit video performances of two musical selections.

Applicants are encouraged to seek assistance in preparation for the audition. Your middle school teacher may be your best resource. Musical Selections: This MUST be completed prior to the assessment. Applicants should prepare two contrasting pieces that show their vocal strengths. Initiative and commitment are essential in the GT Vocal Music program. It is expected that the student will take responsibility for finding his or her songs. Applicants will need to learn the assessment songs they will sing, from memory.

Selection 1: The first selection must be: • This may include any style or genre of the applicant’s choice that is school appropriate with an

accompaniment. Live or Karaoke accompaniment is acceptable. • The accompaniment should be instruments only. There should be no one else singing. The

applicants voice should be the only voice on the audition video. A list of suggested vocal music resources is provided in this document.

Selection 2: The second selection must be: • Any suitable song of the applicant’s choice. This may include any style or genre appropriate to the

applicant. • Performed a cappella. This song should further demonstrate the singer’s full range and vocal ability.

Applicants are welcome but NOT required to perform the selection “Simple Gifts” (included) as the a cappella selection.

Video Requirements: • Your camera and microphone must be in excellent working condition. • The video should be well lit and clearly show your face. • You can dress in school appropriate attire. • Uploaded videos should not exceed 3 minutes including the introduction and performance. Introduction: Before you record your songs, you must record this introduction: • State your first and last name • State the name of your current school • State the grade that you are currently in • State the name of your song • State the name of the recording artist (if you know it)

Example: (Good morning. My name is Shaniera Holmes. I attend Northeastern Middle School and I am in the 8th grade. I am going to sing “If Only I could Fly” by Shawn Alexander and the American folk song, “Simple Gifts

Milford Mill Academy Vocal Music

Assessment Guidelines 2022-2023 4

Vocal Music Suggested Resources Any song in the following books, or songs like them, is an acceptable Broadway song:

Kids’ Broadway Songbook. Hal Leonard, publisher. The Singer’s Musical Theatre Anthology (Soprano/Mezzo-soprano or Alto/Tenor/ Baritone or Bass),

Hal Leonard, publisher. Each voice classification has several volumes. Any song from any volume for the student’s voice class is acceptable.

Any song in the following books, or songs like them, is an acceptable art song: Easy Songs for Beginning Sopranos/Mezzo-sopranos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer,

publisher. Easy Songs for Beginning Altos/Tenors/Baritones. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. Easy Songs for Beginning Basses. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher.

First Book of Soprano Solos/Mezzo-soprano Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher.

First Book of Altos/Tenor/Baritone Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher.

First Book of Bass Solos. Joan Frey Boytim; editor, G. Schirmer, publisher. Each voice classification has several volumes. Any song from any volume for the student’s voice class is acceptable. 24, 26 or 28 Italian Arias

The song collection books referenced above are available at:

Music and Arts. 1940 York Road, Lutherville/Timonium. 410-453-0814

Menchey Music Services. 2444 Broad Avenue (off Padonia Road), Timonium. 410-543-6635 Stu’s Music Shop. 723 Baltimore Boulevard, Westminster. 410-876-7585 www.amazon.com

www.abe.com www.barnesandnoble.com, bn.com

Milford Mill Academy Vocal Music

Assessment Guidelines 2022-2023 5

Milford Mill Academy Vocal Music

Assessment Guidelines 2022-2023 6