Information for Prospective Students

Welcome! We're glad you're thinking about applying to the Academy.

Be sure to review the curriculum requirements. When you come to the Academy you'll be making a 4-year commitment to a particular area of study in the Fine Arts.

If you want to find out more about what happens during the school year at the Academy, take a look at past issues of our newsletter. Also, you're welcome to subscribe to the current newsletter.

Applicants to the Fine Arts Academy are required to live within Austin Independent School District (AISD)  boundaries.  An AISD address is required on the FAA application.  For families moving to Austin from another city, we will accept the application with the previous address and allow the student to audition, but will require the AISD address for acceptance.

Admission Process

The director and faculty of the Academy base admission decisions on the application information submitted and a student's audition or portfolio.

The application process steps are:

  1. Complete the application, request letters of recommendation and submit grades
  2. We schedule an audition or portfolio review
  3. Students prepare

See below for more information on the application procedures.

At the time the student is accepted, the requirements for the four-year curriculum are reviewed. A contract must be signed by both parent and student in which the student agrees to maintain a strong academic record, regular daily attendance in all classes, and good school citizenship during the four years at McCallum, in addition to meeting the requirements of their major.

The Fine Arts Academy is an advanced academic program. Academy students are required to meet all requirements of their chosen major, maintain regular school attendance and proper behavior, and, at all times, maintain academic eligibility.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

We are no longer accepting applications for the Fall of 2010.

The application and recommendations forms are also available from the 8th grade counselor at each middle school campus. Because ours is a four-year curriculum, most applicants apply in the 8th grade to be admitted for the following fall. If you are an older student wishing to apply, include all your grade reports from 8th grade through current year.

Step 1. Submitting Paperwork

Download the Application (MS Word) and submit it by Jan. 29, 2011 with the following:

  • Letter of recommendation (MS Word) from a Language Arts teacher and a Math Teacher
  • Letter of recommendation from a fine arts teacher or private instructor
  • Grade report for 2009-2010 and from 1st semester of current year. The Fine Arts Academy is an advanced academic program. Applicants are required to have passing grades in all classes to be considered.
  • Most recent TAKS scores or other standardized tests

This information should be mailed to

Lanier Bayliss, Fine Arts Academy Coordinator
McCallum High School
5600 Sunshine Drive Austin, TX 78756

**Recommendation forms are sent by the teacher directly to MFAA via campus mail, US mail, or fax 841-7319; they are not submitted by the applicant or parent. 

The application must be processed prior to the audition/interview date. Students may prepare their answers to the application on a computer (or it can be in their own hand-writing).

Step 2. Scheduling an Audition

After the Academy office has received all your paperwork (application, letters of recommendation and grade reports) we will call you to schedule your audition. Auditions are by appointment only.

Fine Arts Academy audition dates are:
TBA

A student may schedule to audition/interview in more than one major, but if accepted, may major in only one area. A successful audition with the Fine Arts faculty is only one step in the process and does not constitute admittance.

Step 3. Preparing for your audition or portfolio review

Music auditions:  Instrumentalists must perform a prepared solo. Bring your instrument and two copies of the music.  It is not necessary to memorize the solo.  Scales and sightreading may be part of the audition. UIL solos are an excellent choice.  Vocal soloists should bring a pianist or an accompaniment CD or tape, sing one solo, preferably art song or classical song.  Vocalization and Sight-reading are also part of the audition.  

Theater auditions:  Perform 2 memorized contrasting monologues from published plays; combined time should not exceed 3 minutes. You will also do a cold reading at the audition. See mactheatre.com for more information.

Technical Theater Prepare a typed 300 word essay that describes your interest in technical theatre. Create a shoebox design for the birthday party of a famous person. Emphasis should be on creativity of design, use of materials, and composition. See mactheatre.com for more information.

Art Portfolio:  Bring a minimum of 12-15 current pieces of art including:

  • Exampls of work from your middle school art classes including 2D work (drawings and/or paintings) and 3-D work (sculpture, modbiles, pottery, etc.)
  • A self-portrait with shading
  • Drawings from observation. Draw in pencil and fully shade. Possible subjects include: objects in your home arranged into a still life, draw the corner of your room, a portait of your pet, a still life using objects from nature (such as leaves, pine-cones, shells), draw a landscape (your backyard, your house) and/or figure drawings.
  • Artwork and creative pieces completed outside of the school setting icluding fabric works, digital works, photographs, ceramics, etc.
  • Audition will also include writing an essay and an interview.

Dance Auditions: The entrance audition for the Fine Arts Academy has two components:

  1. Applicants will participate in a class which will include Ballet barre with a center combination, Modern progressions across the floor, and a short contemporary Jazz combination. 

    2. Dance attire:
    - Ballet/Modern- pink/black ballet tights, black leotard, ballet slippers/barefeet.
    - Jazz- black leotard, jazz pants (long or cropped), jazz shoes/barefeet.

  2. Applicants will have individual interviews with the Dance Directors that will include performing a solo, an impromptu choreography assignment, as well as a sit-down question and answer time.

    3. Criteria for Solo:
    - No longer than 1:00 minute
    - Any movement style of your choice
    - Bring music on CD or IPOD
    - Costume not required
    Interview:
    - Discussion with the Directors
    - Impromptu Choreography Assignment

Dance Sample Audition Schedule: (Times are subject to change)
12:00 Individual Solos/Interviews
2:00 Barre Warm-up with Ballet Instructor
2:30 Ballet Center Combination
2:45 Across the Floor Modern Progressions
3:15 Break to change clothes for Jazz/Hip Hop
3:30 Contemporary Jazz/Hip Hop Combination
4:00 Release

Dance Criteria for Acceptance:

  • Academic success
  • Talent and Potential as a performer
  • Level and quality of training
  • Ability to assimilate information
  • Ability to take direction and have an openness to corrections
  • Willingness to train in various styles

    • Dance Important tips to remember:

      • Arrive in a professional manner by being on time, well groomed and mentally focused.
      • Know when to display your classical training and when to show your movement personality.
      • Promote yourself and your abilities in your interview.  Don’t apologize for something you’re not…Show us who you are!

Step 4.  Shadowing a current McCallum Fine Arts Student

Students who have all application materials on file in the Academy office may experience McCallum Fine Arts Academy first-hand by shadowing a current student in your area of interest.  After you have turned in all the required application materials, choose a date (between January 7 - March 10).  Complete the “Shadow Form” and submit by mail or fax (841-7319).  We will confirm your shadowing date by telephone.