To audition for the Vocal Music Department, each student should have some degree of background and experience in choral music singing and be able to follow a score. The student MUST select from the following and bring the sheet music/book to the audition.

Be prepared to sing, from memory one of the selections listed. Entering 11th grade students should select from the "24 Italian Songs and Arias".

"Jesus, Jesus Rest Your Head" "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" "Edleweiss"
"Little Road to Kerry" "The Willow Song" "Oh What a Beautiful Morning"
"Love Will Find Out the Way" "When Love is Kind" "Soon It's Gonna Rain"
"Passing By" "Wayfaring Stranger" "Wouldn't It Be Loverly"
"Pastime With Good Company"

Sources: Art Songs for School and Studio, English Reliquary of Song, Pathways of Song, Spirituals of H.T. Burleigh, or solos available at local music stores. Your choir director or voice teacher can assist you. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO ONE OF THE SONGS ON THIS LIST, YOU MAY SING "AMAZING GRACE" FROM A HYMNAL. If you are in a choral program or studying private voice, you may not sing "Amazing Grace".

  • Be prepared to sight sing his/her part of an easy choral score using solfege, numbers, or words.
  • Be prepared to answer questions about key and time signatures, intervals, and other basic theory.
  • An interview to determine interests, potential, and background will follow.

Time: Approximately 30 minutes

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  1. The application is available at all HISD middle schools or you may come and pick one up at HSPVA. In order to receive an audition in the first round of auditions applications must be received by January 8, 2010.
  2. Complete the application and attach copies of the following documents. The application is available at all HISD middle schools or you may pick one up at HSPVA.
    • Your most recent report card
    • Last year's final report card
    • The permanent record card (transcript)
    • Previous two years of standardized test records
    • Your immunization record
    • Proof of residency (utility bill, mortgage or rental agreement)
    Be sure to complete the application and attach the documents listed at the top. Auditions WILL NOT be scheduled without a complete application. If you are an instrumentalist, please indicate your instrument on page 2 of the application.
  3. Submit the application and documents to
    HSPVA
    4001 Stanford St.
    Houston TX 77006.
    We cannot accept faxed applications.
  4. You will be notified by mail of the date and time of your audition. If you fail to attend the audition or if you arrive late, you will not be rescheduled. You must contact the Magnet Office 24 hours prior to the audition to reschedule due to illness or family emergency. You will not be rescheduled due to lack of audition preparation If applying for more than one art area, prioritize the art areas in which you are most prepared to audition with "1st" and "2nd" choices. *Please note: Second art area choices are never guaranteed and are scheduled as audition spaces become available.

Students must live in the Houston ISD boundaries full time to be considered for admission to HSPVA.


Click the links below for the HSPVA Application:

Caution: All of these files are in PDF format. To view and print these PDF files, you must have installed Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. Please click the image pictured below to obtain this free program:

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Call back auditions will be held in February and March, 2010 for students who pass the first audition. A callback audition does not mean that the student has been accepted. Final notice of qualification for the school will be mailed on March 26, 2010.

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All dates and times are subject to change,
please call the school at (713) 942-1960 to confirm!

Please see the HSPVA admissions calendar for updates & further information.

Please see the HSPVA calendar for updates & further information.

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