DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 3500 R STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20007 ELLINGTONSCHOOL.ORG
202-282-0123 @DUKEELLINGTONDC
2021-2022 ADMISSIONS VIEWBOOK
The House that Peggy and Mike Built!
Providing innovative arts education to students from all wards of the nation's capital for over 45 years. Established 1974
Peggy Cooper Cafritz Co-Founder
Mike Malone Co-Founder
Our Mission TO
NURTURE
TALENTED
AND
STUDENTS
OPPORTUNITY THAT
OUR
TO
TO
WHO
AND/OR
ARE
THROUGH
THEIR
STRONG
FOR
ARTS
NOT
OTHERWISE
ARTISTIC
PREPARED IN
PROGRAM.
PRODUCTIVE OUR
MIGHT
CAREERS
ARTS-BASED
BECOME
PASSION
DEVELOP
STUDENTS
EDUCATION INTENSIVE
INSPIRE
THE WE
CITIZENS FOCUS
FOR
SKILLS.
LEARNING HAVE WE
IN
AN
ENSURE
POST-SECONDARY
ARTS
BY
PREPARE
IN
ON
AND
OUR
OFFERING OUR
GLOBAL
COMMUNITY
AN
STUDENTS SOCIETY
SERVICE.
Virtual Reality Until further notice, admissions events are
VIRTUAL except in-person tours.
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSES November 18, 2021 3:00 p.m. January 13, 2022 3:00 p.m. Must RSVP in advance to receive Zoom Invitation RSVP here: https://www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions/open-houses/ 2022 AUDITIONS Will be held IN-PERSON & VIRTUALLY through our VIRTUAL AUDITION PLATFORM: ACCEPTD (some departments have auditions or call-backs in person)
Audition Procedures will be updated by November 1, 2021
VIRTUAL Audition Workshops will be offered in December and January
BE FLEXIBLE! Sign up for our Admissions Newsletter to get up-to-date changes! All information regarding our admissions process can be found on our website: www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions
Ellington at a glance!
Application Tips!
"This is one of the most inspiring places on Earth. A lot of the dreams I pursued, I formulated here." Dave Chappelle, Class of 1991
Due February 1, 2022
MYSCHOOLDC.ORG You must create a profile and submit it by the deadline! You can apply to no more than TWO art departments Application requirements: Personal Essay, Letters of Recommendation (3), Report Card Please include a photo (headshot)! If you need technical assistance with your application, contact MySchoolDC at 202-888-6336 Uploading documents! · You are able to upload multiple PDFs per application. You can have your student’s school or visit Staples/Office Depot/FedEx and have them scan these items into a PDF file(s) for you then email it to you and then you can upload it to the application when you submit. Alternately, you use your smartphone to download free apps like CamScanner which allow you to take pictures of each document which will be compiled into a PDF and emailed to you to upload. The application will not allow you to move forward or submit until all questions are completed and requested documents uploaded.
CHECK EMAIL REGULARLY The email address submitted in the MySchoolDC application is the ONLY email address we will use during the admissions process.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION 3 TOTAL: Math, Art Teacher/Other, School Counselor/Administrator/Social Worker We strongly encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible so your recommenders will have enough time to submit your letters prior to the start of auditions. If you submit your application on the last day, your letters of recommendation may not be received in time. Once you submit your MySchoolDC application your teachers will be prompted to complete your recommendation.
RANKING Ellington is a highly competitive high school and if your first choice is Ellington we highly recommend you rank us as #1. However, should your decision change after the audition round, MySchoolDC does allow you to go back into your application and re-rank your schools. NOTE: If you do not rank Ellington as #1, even if you get accepted into Ellington you will be matched with your first choice school. Only after the first round will we be able to address your enrollment status (pending space availability). So RANK ELLINGTON #1!
NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY Duke Ellington School of the Arts does not discriminate in the admissions process based on an applicant’s disability in conformance with the District of Columbia Human Rights Act. Admissions candidates who have passed their audition are requested to submit their IEP or 504 Plan prior to testing in order that we may be sure to give an applicant their appropriate testing accommodations.
LEADERSHIP
Our goal to create engaged and empowered global citizens begins with providing them with a strong support and outreach team. At Ellington, each student goes through our Shepherding Program where they receive one-on-one counseling, tutoring and mentoring through socio-emotional support and learning.
Welcome! Established in 1974, Ellington remains the sole D.C. public high school to offer dual curricula encompassing professional arts training and a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares students for college and careers in the arts and beyond. Our school is named after the prolific jazz musician Edward “Duke” Ellington, who in naming one of his jazz bands The Washingtonians, made his home and the history of the District of Columbia an integral part of his artistic persona. The late Washington D.C. philanthropist and avid art collector Peggy Cooper Cafritz and the late dancer and choreographer Mike Malone returned the favor, building this school to house the creative soul of the District, and to reflect the rich cultural diversity of the United States. From the beginning, public and private partnerships have supported the school, which in 2000 evolved into the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project (DESAP), a partnership that includes the D.C. Public Schools, the Ellington Fund, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and George Washington University. The path to becoming a well-rounded artist, scholar and global citizen is not an easy one, and it takes the full commitment of family and community. The Ellington family includes thousands of alumni, over 100 faculty and staff, almost 600 current students, countless parents, and a myriad of partners throughout the country. We support, encourage, and celebrate the individual and collective success of our students in ways that only Ellington can, so get ready for the Ellington Experience and good luck in the admission process!
Sandi M. Logan, M.A. Principal & Head of School
Director's Corner
"When you excercise your talents they will multiply." - Unknown
Greetings, I am excited about the journey that is ahead of you and I look forward to assisting you in that process. It is vitally important that you continue to check your email and voicemail messages in the coming months as that is our direct method of communication with you. We will have an Admissions team that will be reaching out to you to assist you with inquiries or concerns about the process. I encourage you to attend the audition workshops to know what is expected of you during your audition. Our procedures are given out in advance so you can prepare as best as possible. Lastly, visit our website frequently to see upcoming performances and exhibits by all our departments. This holiday season is filled with amazing virtual performances which will give you an opportunity to see what the Ellington Experience is all about! Thank you and have a happy holiday season!
Savannah R. Overton Williams, M.A. DIRECTOR AFFAIRS
&
OF
EXTERNAL
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
SROVERTON@ELLINGTONARTS.ORG SAVANNAH.OVERTON@K12.DC.GOV 202.299.5896 202.631.3129
|
OFFICE |
CELL
Academic Excellence
Commitment, Responsibility, Empowerment, Empathy & Dignity = OUR CREED!
We are investing in a new generation of scholars, global citizens, cultural ambassadors, leaders and artists by cultivating the intellectual and creative capacity of Ellington students. By promoting innovative pathways to connect the arts and technology, we are preparing our students to compete in the global economy and to participate in the 21st century arts industry. All students take core classes in Math, Science, English, Social Studies and World Languages. ACADEMIC COURSE SELECTIONS: Grade Level Honors/Pre-AP sections in Math, English and Science for 9th and 10th graders. Advanced Placement courses in: Art History Biology Calculus Chemistry English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition Government & Politics Music Theory Psychology Statistics Studio Art U.S. History U.S. Human Geography World History
Student Life
We offer several clubs, organizations, tutoring programs and student activities throughout the year!
Music flows through your veins. Your feet won’t stop tapping. Your journal – or your sketchpad – is your most prized possession. You have a great eye – or you love to build things. You were born to be in the spotlight. Your mind is always creating, constantly envisioning. You live in your own brilliant world of color, light, sound, and energy. This talent of yours – this flair, this creativity – may mean you’ll be right at home at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.
THE ARTS
Be sure to check out our scope and sequence for each art department on our website!
AT ELLINGTON, YOU ARE ALWAYS SURROUNDED BY THE ARTS. You will develop an exemplary foundation in your art, working from solid fundamentals to advanced topics, all the time learning from your teachers and peers. You will be at the hub of arts education in DC – where legendary artists and American icons on the way to the Kennedy Center, the Warner Theatre or the White House stop to pay us a visit with our “35th & R Series”. You will have opportunities to shine as well. Each year, Ellington students present fabulous theatrical productions, jazz and classical concerts, opera workshops, spoken word performances, gallery exhibitions and dance productions.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE AN EMERGING ARTIST AND A SCHOLAR IN A SAFE, SUPPORTIVE, DIVERSE AND EXPRESSIVE ENVIRONMENT. Amazing arts faculty who are seasoned educators as well as working artists. Superb academic faculty with a strong appreciation for the arts. Master classes with guest artists. A challenging arts and academic curriculum that will prepare you for college and beyond with pre-professional arts training and experience.
DANCE
Dance majors develop their abilities through a progression of courses that include orientation, history, composition, production, ethnic dance (African), four levels of a Vaganova-based ballet technique and three levels of modern dance. A rigorous professional teaching approach equips dance majors physically and mentally to pursue a dance career. In addition, classes with master teachers focus on areas not emphasized in the curriculum. (The Physical Education requirement is satisfied by select dance courses.) Upon graduation, dance students are encouraged to continue their training at a higher level. Some begin their performance careers immediately.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental Music students receive classical training in applied music, music theory (reading and writing) and piano, and participate in performing ensembles. Major ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and String Ensemble. Smaller ensembles draw from students in each studio. Students perform annually as soloists at monthly recitals and prepare a 20-minute solo recital in their senior year. Music electives for third- and fourth-year students include composition, music technology, and music history.
LITERARY MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS
The Literary Media and Communications Department works towards training the 21st century artist/writer in creating Trans/Narratives, which represents our new paradigm. The creative energies that have produced technological behemoths such as Facebook, Twitter, “i/Technologies”, blogs, “YouTube”, social media as a whole, require the ability to engage multiple skill sets. The necessity of having multiple skill sets, multiple platforms to render creativity is essential in competing within a global economy. LMC terms this rendering, Trans/Narratives, and is what our entire curriculum and training is premised on. A student interested in poetry will also train in other creative forms including fiction and non-fiction, the essay, short story, micro-fiction and creative non- fiction, as well as print and webbased journalism, blog, playwriting and screenwriting, performance, film theory, documentary filmmaking, social media, and web narrative.
MUSEUM STUDIES
Students in the Museum Studies program learn and practice the major functions of museums— collection, preservation, conservation, exhibition and public education—in courses such as Curatorial Skills, Photography, and Computer Graphics. Not only do students learn to record art and culture through various media; as seniors in high school, they also have the chance to work alongside museum staff on major projects at the Smithsonian Institution and other Washington museums. The program also offers educational travel to study museum practices in New York, Los Angeles, Madrid, and Barcelona. Many Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumni are working as exhibition designers, museum educators, and curators around the United States.
TECHNICAL DESIGN & PRODUCTION
In courses on topics from lighting and sound to costumes and management, Technical Design and Production is raising the next generation of technicians, designers, producers, and arts managers. Working on professional arts and performance projects, students in Technical Design and Production gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art tools and equipment. Well grounded academically, Duke Ellington School students also receivefirsthand experience using current equipment in a professional atmosphere. This real-life practice gives Ellington students a competitive advantage as they pursue post-secondary degrees or start their careers.
THEATRE
We are looking for students who are committed to contributing to the world in which they live and developing their artistic and intellectual abilities. The study of Theatre is a life-long activity and requires the student to develop multiple skills across many disciplines. In addition to rigorous training in acting, movement and speech, students study theatre history, dramatic literature, playwriting and directing. We place emphasis on individual growth, discovery of personal strengths, critical thinking, process oriented work and the ensemble approach to making theatre. Our program is demanding and requires a high level of commitment from our students. In addition to opportunities to perform onstage at Ellington our students have extensive opportunities to work with professional artists and theatre companies from around the country and the world.
VISUAL ARTS
Students studying Visual Arts at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts learn the elements of art and visual design while also preparing academically for college and for life. They take courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, computer science, animation, and printmaking. Whether they become professional artists or designers or not, Ellington students are exposed to historical and contemporary styles from different cultures to broaden their frames of reference and perspectives. They also learn about the role of art in a democratic society. In the process of visual arts training at Ellington, we work to enhance students’ self-confidence and artistic consciousness, so they become good citizens of the art world and of humankind.
VOCAL MUSIC
Vocal Music students receive vocal training in classical style (four years) and are required to take music theory (Sight singing and music reading and writing, four years), a choir (four years chosen from: Female Ensemble, Male Ensemble, Jazz Vocal Styles, Chamber Singers, Show Choir) and class piano (sometimes combined with music theory). Electives include Opera Workshop, Dance Orientation, Introduction to Acting, Songwriting, Music Composition, Music Technology, Music History, and AfricanAmerican Music History. Students are required to attend elective classes as chosen or assigned. Students perform occasionally as soloists (as designated by their teachers) on recitals, and if they demonstrate excellence in their semester jury, on Honors Recitals, and prepare a solo recital in the senior year. Students majoring in Vocal Music at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts study the following five major components of the discipline: Vocal Technique: The how-to of breath management, tone, vowel placement, diction in English and other languages, physical technique, stage deportment, vocal health, etc. Performance: Stage presence, auditioning, musical style Music theory: Reading and writing musical language Ensemble: Working as part of a group to produce music Piano: The instrument essential for every singer
Arts + Academics = Achievement ARTIST SCHOLARS Students take 10 classes total: 6 academic, 4 arts (Dance is 5:5) School day: 8:30 a.m. - 4:55 p.m. All students must take the PSAT and SAT The key to success is TIME MANAGEMENT All DCPS students must complete 100 hours of community service upon graduation
SPECIALIZED EDUCATION In accordance with federal law and DC government ordinances DESA fully supports students who have either a 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan. If your student needs any support for the virtual audition, assessment test, or family interview, please let us know as soon as possible so we can accommodate based on the documented needs. Once we receive documentation we can begin to put supports in place immediately, some of those supports we offer are: 2 Full-Time Social Workers School Psychologist 3 Full-time Specialized Instruction Research Teachers Learning Lab Occupational Therapy Support Speech Therapy Support
College Bound
With a 100% graduation rate and 98% college or conservatory placement our students are ready and prepared!
The Class of 2021 our students received over $11 million in scholarships
Alumni
From actors to visual artists, opera singers, comedians, musicians, writers or dancers, and 1000s more, our alumni are EVERYWHERE!
APPLY NOW!
See our admissions timeline below! Be sure to check your email frequently as dates are
MYSCHOOLDC.ORG All prospective students must apply by Feb. 1, 2022. Students must submit an essay, headshot, grades, and (3) letters of recommendation.
AUDITION WORKSHOPS
subject to change.
Dec. 13, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2022
Dec. 2021 - Jan. 2022
Great opportunity to prepare for your audition! Audition Procedures will be live by November 1, 2021.
AUDITION WEEK - CREATE YOUR ACCEPTD PROFILE
February 7 - 11, 2022
Be sure to sign up for our Audition Platform Acceptd, upload your materials, and schedule your audition. All students who apply by Feb. 1 are granted an audition. Auditions are held both in person or virtual, check the schedule!
ART DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION NIGHT
February 2022
Prospective students who pass their audition and their families will have an opportunity to meet with the Art Departments.
VIRTUAL FAMILY INTERVIEW
Feb. - Mar. 2022
Prospective students and their families will meet with our admissions panel for a brief 15-minute interview.
ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE REVIEW Decisions will be released on April 1, 2022.
Mar. - Apr. 2022
2022 AUDITIONS TO CREATE A PROFILE, UPLOAD MATERIALS, AND SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION, VISIT THE WEBSITE BELOW: December 27, 2021 - February 1, 2022 https://app.getacceptd.com/DukeEllingtonDC All students must complete an audition profile on our virtual audition platform, Acceptd. Students will have until February 1, 2022, to upload all of their audition materials. 2022 AUDITION SCHEDULE (Feb. 7 - 11, 2022) Auditions are scheduled by the art department and the first letter of your last name. Please be sure to review all requirements outlined below. Once you create a profile and upload all of your materials, you can schedule your audition. You will then receive a confirmation email of your schedule AGENDA, then you will log in the day of your audition and join us virtually OR it will give you instructions for arriving in person! In addition to the suggestions on the audition procedures for creating a studio in your own home, please note that you should be in a quiet and well-lit space, be sure that your computer or phone are fully charged and functioning properly. ACCEPTD WORKS BEST ON A COMPUTER OR TABLET. While we understand that many of you may be uncomfortable on camera, that is a requirement for all auditions. All virtual auditions just like in-person auditions are closed to parents/guardians, family members or peers. If there is anyone else in the room with you during your audition, you may be disqualified. If you leave during your audition, you may also be disqualified. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the above, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@ellingtonarts.org or call 202-631-3129.
VIRTUAL AUDITIONS
"Being flexible is an active learning process." - Anonymous
Audition Procedures! THE VIRTUAL AUDITION PROCEDURES FOR 2022 ARE FINALIZED! If your online application and all supporting materials have been received by the application deadline, you will secure an audition spot – be sure to sign up through ACCEPTD for your IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL AUDITION BY FEB. 1, 2022 Each department has its own audition process. Students can apply for (2) art departments.
https://www.ellingtonschool.org/admissions/auditio ns-procedures/
EACH AUDITION PROCEDURE HAS THE FOLLOWING: AUDITION UPDATE (Virtual or In-Person) WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR WHAT TO UPLOAD/WHAT TO PREPARE THE VIRTUAL/IN-PERSON AUDITION PROCESS ITSELF HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AUDITION
AUDITION SCHEDULE
AUDITION WEEK: February 7-11, 2022 visit ellingtonschool.org for more info and sign up on ACCEPTD!
DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 3500 R STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20007 WWW.ELLINGTONSCHOOL.ORG
202-282-0123 @DUKEELLINGTONDC
2021-2022 ADMISSIONS VIEWBOOK