MC Fine Arts Division to host virtual scholarship auditions

Jan. 14, 2021

While every Maryville College department has needed to adapt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Fine Arts Division has faced some of the largest hurdles. With safety procedures like limited group gatherings, performance-based arts like choir, band and theatre cannot operate as they usually do.

Dr. Eric Simpson, assistant professor of music, band director and orchestra conductor, said that COVID-19 “changed everything” when it comes to making music at Maryville College. Due to the capacity for wind instruments to spread bacteria, they have enacted several precautions to allow the band and orchestra to continue practicing. These include breaking students into smaller ensembles, rehearsing for shorter periods of time and wearing a performance mask with a small slit that allows space for the instrument’s mouthpiece.

“These changes made making music very difficult, but they were preferable to the alternative: not making music at all or spreading COVID-19,” Simpson said.

Concerts by the Maryville College Concert Choir, Off Kilter, and Lads and Lassies were once a staple at Maryville College, but for now, indoor concerts have been put on hold, said Stacey Wilner, director of choral activities at MC. As a result, the groups sought alternative ways to perform. In the past year, they have held virtual performances, as well as an outdoor concert, which they plan to host again this spring.

Because most Fine Arts programs require auditions to determine scholarship recipients, the department has also had to adapt when it comes to admissions decisions. This year, instead of in-person auditions, scholarship auditions will be hosted virtually Feb. 13 and 20.

Students who have been admitted to the College for the 2021-2022 academic year can complete a scholarship application via their MaryVille Portal (MVP). After completing an application, they will record their audition and provide a link to their performance. Several scholarships are available, including scholarships for music and theatre majors, as well as smaller scholarships (up to $2,500) for non-majors. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 8, and students will receive scholarship and award notification in March.

More information regarding Fine Arts scholarships, including the separate requirements for art/design majors, can be found at maryvillecollege.edu/fine-arts.

Aside from the primary purpose of maintaining the health and safety of faculty and prospective students, Simpson believes that hosting virtual auditions will prove beneficial for those auditioning.

For one, he said that virtual auditions will make it easier for non-local prospective students. Less travel and time constraints make auditioning a lot more feasible for out of town students.

“It also allows students to deal with problems caused by nerves or stage-fright more easily,” Simpson said. “There is plenty of evidence that demonstrates that the conditions of an audition can influence a musicians anxiety levels: when you are on a stage, there are lights on, the audience is only five people and you know they are there to make some decisions that could really impact your future. That puts a lot of pressure on the performer.”

Wilner added that another benefit to hosting virtual auditions is that Maryville College Fine Arts faculty have access to all auditions, whether they are instrumental or vocal.

Gabe Hatcher, a senior at Seymour High School, is a trombonist who plans to audition this year. He agrees that virtual auditions will help ease the audition anxiety.

“I’ve always been a little nervous in the audition room knowing all eyes are on me, so there’s definitely less pressure knowing I can do my best when I’m able to play by myself,” Hatcher said.

Another positive is that Simpson and the other fine arts faculty members do not foresee their evaluation process being affected much by the virtual auditions.

“We’re just looking for well-rounded people who play their instrument well and want to continue to do so while they pursue a collegiate education,” Simpson said.

Of course, there are some cons to virtual auditions – namely, the inability for students to experience Maryville College in person.

“One of the things we like for students to be able to do is walk around our facility and get a feel for the place,” Simpson said. “The beauty of the space where we live, work and learn is really often a big selling point for our students.”

Though Hatcher believes the virtual audition will be less pressure, he admits he’s disappointed about missing out on the full experience.

“There’s a certain feeling about being present for music – it always seems to fill the room, so I’m definitely a little sad that it can’t be experienced in-person,” Hatcher said.

Written by Evy Linkous ’16

Maryville College is a nationally-ranked institution of higher learning and one of America’s oldest colleges. For more than 200 years we’ve educated students to be giving citizens and gifted leaders, to study everything, so that they are prepared for anything — to address any problem, engage with any audience and launch successful careers right away. Located in Maryville, Tennessee, between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the city of Knoxville, Maryville College offers nearly 1,200  students from around the world both the beauty of a rural setting and the advantages of an urban center, as well as more than 60 majors, seven pre-professional programs and career preparation from their first day on campus to their last. Today, our 10,000 alumni are living life strong of mind and brave of heart and are prepared, in the words of our Presbyterian founder, to “do good on the largest possible scale.”