Performing Arts Student FAQ

Each ensemble has a different process and set of requirements. Auditions for the School of Performing Arts music ensembles typically occur during the week of orientation or the first week of classes.

The audition requirements vary by ensemble; some ensembles have a more rigid audition process than others, and some ensembles do not have any audition requirement at all. It is strongly suggested that students make contact with the director of the ensemble that they are interested in joining. A listing of the ensembles and their respective directors is on our website. When available, audition dates, requirements, audition samples, and other audition details will also be posted on our music ensembles audition page.

Students interested in auditioning for a Student Club or Organization performance ensemble, should contact the Center for Campus Life for additional details. Please note, the School of Performing Arts does not oversee any student club or organization performance ensemble (this includes Game Symphony Orchestra, Pep Band, Drumline, as well as the a cappella and dance groups).

The School of Performing Arts manages several designated rehearsal and practice rooms on campus, located on the A-levels of Liberal Arts Hall, the SHED, and the Student Alumni Union. Applied music lessons are conducted in the music rooms in Liberal Arts Hall (A260, A264, or A269) and the Annex 908 trailer, while all ensembles rehearse in the SAU A130 music room and Annex 907 trailer. RIT students, faculty, or staff who wish to inquire about the availability of any music rooms on campus, please contact Michael Dwyer, Assistant Manager of Operations and Events.

Students seeking space to practice on an individual basis can utilize the practice rooms located within LBR, the SAU and SHED through the RIT Event Management System (EMS). Priority is given to students who are participating in academic ensembles, Applied Music lessons, and those who are Performing Arts Scholars. Please visit our website for details on our practice room usage policy.

The School of Performing Arts has a number of instrument storage lockers for wind and string instruments located in the SAU, SHED, and Liberal Arts Hall. Lockers are assigned at the start of the semester once a student has auditioned and been accepted into an ensemble and are at the sole discretion of the directors of each ensemble. Please contact your ensemble director for additional details on instrument storage.

Due to space constraints, SPA is unable to store instruments belonging to students who are not actively participating in an academic ensemble or Applied Music lessons. Once approved, the music director or Applied Music instructor will share a link to the request form/survey that each student must fill out and digitally sign to complete the assignment process. RIT School of Performing Arts will not be held liable for damage to or theft of a student’s personal instrument while being stored in the instrument storage locker.

RIT has a small inventory of wind, string, and percussion instruments for students to sign-out while participating in a credit-bearing academic music ensemble (Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, etc.) or for Applied Music lessons. Use of instruments is at the discretion of the respective ensemble director or Applied Music studio instructor, with final approval needed from School Director. Approval is based on availability of desired instrument, seniority, and need in the ensemble. Student must complete, sign, and submit an instrument loan agreement prior accessing the instrument. 

Students may receive private, one-on-one instrumental or vocal lessons and participate in studio performance opportunities such as semester-end studio recitals via Applied Music. Please note that most lessons are offered to support students participating in approved RIT music ensembles and therefore priority is given to ensemble members on a first come, first served basis. However, harmonica, guitar, and piano lessons are open to all RIT students. Students interested in receiving private music instruction should contact the instructor of the Applied Music studio directly. Complete listing of all instrument lessons currently offered >

Students should contact performingarts@rit.edu with any other questions regarding private music instruction. Please note there is a $200 per semester course fee for Applied Music instruction beginning in the fall 2022 semester.

Applications for the Performing Arts Scholarship Program occur during the admissions process. The application is separate from the admissions application. Students should apply by the following deadlines for best consideration for the program, however, applications received after the deadline will still be reviewed on a space-available basis.

Participate in any form of music, musical theatre, acting, dance, or technical production course or activity for at least one semester each year that you receive the scholarship. Examples of performing arts activities include:

• Large ensembles: RIT Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Band, RIT Singers, acting, dance, or musical theatre productions, technical production crew.
• Smaller ensembles: Jazz, Rock and Roll, Gospel, Guitar, Jazz, Steelband, World Music, chamber music, applied music studio lessons.
• Clubs: A cappella groups, RIT Players, Pep Band, various style dance clubs.
• Classes: All classes offered from the School of Performing Arts or the NTID Department of Performing Arts. For a complete listings of courses please visit the Performing Arts website.

We are sorry, but this performing arts scholarship is available only to incoming first-year or transfer students.

These faculty from the School of Performing Arts are here to guide you through your performing arts experience at RIT.

Performing Arts Scholarship Guides 
Theatre (including Musical Theatre): Alexa Scott-Flaherty
Dance and Circus Arts: Thomas Warfield
Music: Karl Stabnau
Theatre Technology: Eric Moslow

Your Guide will have expertise in your performing arts discipline to support and guide as you continue to grow in your talents, and help you connect with other students who share your interests and passions.