THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240206
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY PHYLLIS SPEIDELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 131 lines
GLORIA SLATER, an aspiring soprano, was so anxious that she needed a few minutes to recall her own phone number.
Dan Taylor, a not so large linebacker who has played three years of football without a qualm, admitted that he too was nervous, ``really nervous.'' Slater, a Nansemond River High freshman, and Taylor, a Windsor High junior, were waiting with 88 other eager teenagers at Lakeland High School Jan. 16 to audition for openings in the Governor's School for the Arts for the 1997-98 school year. Inclement weather conditions had forced a week's postponement of the auditions and the delay had only heightened the students' tension.
A ``once in a lifetime opportunity to get into a good school,'' was how Lynette Esponda described the importance of a Governor's School berth. Lynette, a 13-year-old eighth grader at John F. Kennedy High School, hoped to earn a spot in the school's dance program.
The Governor's School for the Arts is one of nine regional Governor's Schools funded by the Virginia Department of Education and the only one dedicated to the arts. Located at several facilities in Norfolk the school offers intensive programs in performing arts, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, providing exceptional artistic opportunities to talented and motivated high school students - tuition free.
Just over 300 students from Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Franklin, and Southampton County participate in the school, attending academic classes during the mornings at their home schools and then traveling to Norfolk for a full afternoon of specialized classes and studios at the Governor's School. For many students, especially those from outlying areas, the rigorous schedule means a 12-hour school day with little time for sports, extracurricular activities, or after school jobs.
Yet each year between 600 and 700 hopefuls audition for the spots vacated by graduating seniors and the very few students who choose not to continue at the Governor's School. Auditions are held throughout the spring in Norfolk and once in Suffolk as a convenience for students from Western Tidewater.
For several years Suffolk had difficulty recruiting enough students to fill its 18 slots at the school, according to John Allan, the Governor's School executive director, but no longer. Ninety students, including many from Suffolk, turned out over a week ago in the largest audition ever held in Suffolk. ``Joyce Trump (Suffolk school superintendent) and Jackie Walker (Suffolk schools' coordinator of special programs) have done a good job of seeing that all those openings were filled,'' Allan said.
Dan Taylor, 18, knows that acceptance to the Governor's School will mean choosing between playing varsity football again and furthering his dream of becoming an actor. ``I love them both,'' he said, but it's not an impossible. Inspired by his acting experience at Windsor High School this year and by earning an All State Actor designation from the Virginia High School League, Dan will opt for the Governor's School without hesitation.
Davon Bagley, a Nansemond River High junior and talented trumpeter, struck the judges as being equally serious about his audition. ``He plays with lots of confidence, feeling and a nice big tone, but he also seems real intelligent, serious, and motivated,'' Ray Pancarowicz said. Pancarowicz, chairman of the Governor's School instrumental music department, was one of four judges evaluating the music auditions.
Facing a panel of judges in a bare, high ceiling rehearsal room might have seemed intimidating, but William ``Billy'' Billups, a Windsor High sophomore, stepped up to the challenge and sang confidently, filling the room with a resounding rendition of the ``The Lord's Prayer.'' The judges were favorably impressed but wanted to hear more of what he could do with a classical selection. The vocal program at the Governor's School focuses solely on serious, classical music leaving musical theatre and cabaret singing to the performing arts program.
After assuring that his interest was truly classical, the judges offered to give Billy another piece to practice, along with an audio tape for additional help, and to schedule an follow-up audition.
Against a background of piano and choreographer directions of ``step, hop, step, leap,'' from dance auditions on the auditorium stage, Peter Temple-Thurston turned the sound booth into a visual arts audition studio. There he carefully looked over the portfolios of budding artists vying for a spot in the visual arts program he chairs at the Governor's School.
Temple-Thurston asked questions about the students' grades, reading habits, and favorite books as well as about their previous art training and favorite mediums.
``I am trying to evaluate their chances for success in the program,'' he said, adding that in addition to technical potential he is looking for intangibles like communication skills, energy, and commitment. ``Things that will help them flourish.''
``We have had some terrific students from Suffolk but the problem for kids out in this region is that they have not had a particularly sophisticated preparation,'' Temple-Thurston said, adding that students in Virginia Beach and Norfolk have more cultural advantages available to them. ``That sort of thing is sorely needed in this region,'' he added.
Some of the student hopefuls will know soon if they have been accepted, while others may have a longer wait. Operating on a rolling admissions plan the faculty will continue auditions throughout the spring, selecting the most promising students. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River High student Davon Bagley auditions on the trumpet
in the huge music room at Lakeland High while two judges discuss his
performance.
Peter Temple-Thurston turns the sound booth at Lakeland High's
auditorium into a visual arts audition studio to view student Daniel
Turner's work. Turner is a student at Windsor Middle School.
Synda Jacobs of Yeates Middle School watches others audition as she
waits to audition for the Governor's School for the Arts. For almost
every person, the audition day was a long one as they all waited
their turn to strut and show their talent to the judges.
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ABOUT THE SCHOOL
The Governor's School for the Arts began as a summer program in
1985, becoming a full academic year program in 1987-88. The school
is funded by the state and by participating school districts.
Students attend academic classes in their home schools in the
morning and then travel to Norfolk to attend classes in the arts for
three hours in the afternoon.
Governor's School classes stress performance and frequently
feature guest artists, especially in the theatre and dance
departments.
Transportation to and from the Governor's School is provided by
the student's home school district. There is no tuition or
transportation charge to the students who earn three credits toward
graduation for successful completion of the Governor's School
program. Graduates regularly gain acceptance to top arts
conservatories and universities, often with generous scholarship
assistance.
For more information on the Governor's School programs, contact
the guidance counselor at your child's middle or high school.