NFP Info Day

Applicants may select either (A) Portfolio Submission or (B) Admission Test

(A) Portfolio Submission
You are to submit 10-15 images of recent art or design work, which should include a range of finished artwork as well as development work in preparing the finished artwork (sketches, mood boards, etc). Portfolios are assessed with the aim of identifying your creative and technical potential to undertake a programme in art and design.

You are required to submit your portfolio here.

(Allowed image file types: .pdf,.jpg,.jpeg,.png,.gif,.tif,.tiff,.bmp. Maximum image file size: 10 MB)
(Allowed video file types: .mpeg,.mp4,.mov,.m4v,.avi,.wmv,.flv,.asf,.mpg,.mp3. Maximum image file size: 200 MB)

The work submitted should preferably be not more than two years old. It may be the result of assigned class projects or independent exploration. It is recommended that the selected examples of work reflect your interests, experience and competencies in art and design.

Your portfolio should contain your original works from at least two of the following categories: paintings, drawings, collages, posters, sculptures, digital images (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc), photographs, and/or video clips.

Guidelines on taking photographs of artworks:

• A clean background with no visual clutter distracting the artwork should be used.


• The artwork should be evenly lit and there should not be any shadows cast on the artworks.

• Any type of drawing/colouring materials, e.g. 2B pencils, colour pencils, water colour, poster colour, markers, etc.
• Blue/black pens, pencils and eraser
• Set Square
• Drawing Board (Optional)

• Past experiences in artistic practice, arts management and/or attending arts events
• Aspiration to work in the arts and cultural industries
• Written communication skills

• Personality traits
• Participation in co-curricular activities
• Leadership ability or potential
  
  (Allowed document file type: .pdf. Maximum document file size: 10 MB)

• The audition consists of two sections - Practical Assessment and Interview.


• You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register, warm up and change into appropriate attire for dancing. You must bring your own attire.


• The audition may take up to 2 hours.

• Each dance should not exceed 90 seconds. The solo dance can be choreographed by yourself or by someone else (e.g. your dance teacher).


• You are required to bring your own music which can played from your own media device (e.g. phone, tablet, or other audio device).


• A costume (e.g. tutu for female ballet classical solo) may be worn.


• Through your performance, assessors will evaluate your:
  • Technique - coordination, control and alignment
  • Artistry - spatial awareness, musicality, dynamic range and performance quality
  • Fitness - strength, control, flexibility, coordination, speed, stamina and stretch

• Existing knowledge of and experience in dance performance
• Dance-related interests and career aspirations
• Dance proclivity and learning attitude
• Any medical or health concerns

• You cannot perform/ dance with any make up in the audition videos, although you can tie your hair according to what's necessary.
• You have to come to the front of the camera (where your face can be seen clearly) and do a brief introduction of yourself. You will then proceed to move into the space and start dancing your solos after the introduction. * Please note that the video has to be shot in one take and not being edited in any way. Otherwise, the audition videos will not be considered.
• This applies to both male and female applicants.
• The photo that you send in should be the one that resembles how you look like now.
• For the online interview, no interpreter should be around, or the interview could be disqualified.

• You will be given three audition monologues at least one week prior to the audition and you will need to choose one. You are expected to memorise or be very prepared with your chosen piece


• You are required to report to the audition venue 30 minutes earlier to register


• The audition may take up to three hours


• Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement

• Openness to improvisation and willingness to work with others
• Vocal response in an improvisation – projection, range, tone and clarity
• Physical response in an improvisation – expressiveness, spontaneity and range

• Ability to perform a dramatic text – comprehension, characterisation and creativity
• Physical skills – presence on stage, spatial awareness, physical range, movement vocabulary and physical portrayal of character
• Vocal skills – projection, clarity, range and tone

• Existing knowledge of and experience in theatre and/or performance
• Personality traits
• Innovation and creativity

1. Applicants are required to attend an audition of approximately 15 minutes on the intended principal study.


2. The list of principal study instruments is as follows:
   
   

   Keyboard Studies	Piano
   Strings Studies	Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass Harp
   Winds Studies	Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon Horn, Trumpet, Euphonium, Tuba *Saxophone (applicants can play either two contrasting works on Alto saxophone or one on Alto and one on Tenor/Baritone) *Trombone (applicants must perform with Tenor Trombone)
   Percussion Studies	Percussion (applicants must prepare Snare Drum, Mallets, and Timpani for audition)
   Chinese Instrumental Studies	Gaohu, Erhu, Liuqin, Pipa, Ruan Guqin, Sanxian Yangqin Guzheng Dizi, Sheng, Suona, Guanzi
   Vocal Studies	Voice (Classical)
   Composition Studies	Composition (Diploma in Music ONLY)



3. The audition consists of the following:
   
   
   • Performance^*# of two contrasting works of the applicant’s choice.
     
     
     • Pieces by different composers
     
     
     • Pieces of different style, character, and technique
     
     
     • Pieces for consideration:
       
       
       • Instrumentalist - Sonata, Concerto, Etude, Solo Works
       
       
       • Vocalist – Operatic genres, Arias, well-established musical genre
     
     
     • Popular music genre will not be considered, such as Pop music, Pop songs.
   
   
   • Reviewing of composition portfolio (only for composition applicants. See Composition Portfolio)
   
   
   • Sight-reading
   
   
   • Aural awareness
   
   
   • Music theory**
   
   
   • Short interview with the audition panel about the applicant’s musical experiences, interests and ambitions for future studies and career
   
   ^# Only acoustic instruments are permitted; electric instruments are not allowed.
   
   ^* Applicants (except composition applicants) are encouraged to perform with an accompanist if the pieces include accompaniment. A list of accompanists and their details are available to applicants after application and they are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment. Applicants who are unable to perform with an accompanist, may perform with a background track using their own device and speaker.
   
   ^** The music theory test (approximately 60 minutes) will test applicants in various areas at a level similar to ABRSM Grade V.
   
   Applicants will be exempted from the music theory test if they present any of the following documentary evidence:
   
   
   • ABRSM Grade V Music Theory or its equivalent
   • Pass in GCE ‘O’ Level or GCE ‘A’ Level Music
   • Pass in SOTA Music Year 4 and above
   • • Pass in Music Theory subject in a specialist music school
   
   Composition Portfolio (only applicable to Diploma in Music (Composition) applicants)
   Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of their compositions. Portfolio submission will be two weeks in advance of the scheduled audition.
   
   The portfolio must include written scores. Recordings are optional.
   
   
   • PDF version of the written scores. Please ensure that written music is clear and legible with full information of instrumentation, scoring and performance details. Common composition software includes Sibelius, Finale, as well as other notation software in the market.
   
   
   • Recording of the works (accompanied by the PDF version of the written scores).


4. All instrumentalists except percussionists and pianists are required to bring their principal study instrument for the audition. Applicants are encouraged to provide a set of music scores of their pieces for the audition panel.


5. Applicants are not allowed to bring a page-turner, a teacher or a translator to the audition. The only people in the audition room will be the applicant, the accompanist and the audition panel.


6. As our programmes are taught in English, all applicants will be expected to communicate in English at the audition.


7. Applicants are not required to submit the audition programme in advance. The audition panel reserves the right to hear only part of the programme overall.

• Performance of the two contrasting pieces is to be recorded live in one single take.


• The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of the playing.


• Editing of the audio/video of the recording is strictly prohibited.


• The camera must be stationary for the performance of each work.


• The video should show the performer in full body if possible.


• The video is to be recorded no more than six months prior to the submission date.


• Concert and competition recordings are not allowed.


• Only acoustic instruments are permitted; electric instruments are not allowed.


• The video recording files must be named with the title of the piece