FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PROSPECTIVE AND INCOMING STUDENTS
Most music groups are not auditioned. You may join the Band, Chamber Strings, men's choir (Singers), women's choir (Voices), Dance Ensemble, Irish Dance Team, Twirlers, and tap (NovaNoise) without an audition.
Sometimes within an organization, there will be auditions for solos or smaller ensembles.
Groups that do audition students include:
- Choral: A Cappella Groups
- Dance Groups: Dance Company, Ablaze, Nova Nassa, Superlative, Wazobia
- Band Auxiliary: Dance Team
- Instrumental: Jazz Band
- Theatre: Theatre Groups (under the Department of Theatre) audition for roles before each show is cast. All are welcome to join the clubs and have a hand in choosing shows, producing, directing, and doing tech just by being non-auditioned members.
All groups that hold auditions will hear/see new students at the beginning of the academic year. Some hold auditions at the start of the spring semester if there are openings for new members.
There is a Music Studies minor focused on Music History and Music Theory offered through the Department of Theatre. Villanova does not offer a Music Major.
Many general topics in the arts are taught across the University—mostly in Honors, CLAS, and within the Department of Theatre Music Studies minor. Student Performing Arts organizations are open to all students and are extracurricular activities... instrumental groups and large vocal ensembles don't even require an audition!
No. Student Performing Arts is a non-academic office, and as such, we do not have a means of offering courses for credit.
Student Performing Arts offers club-based performing arts opportunities in instrumental music, vocal music, and dance for students from all academic areas throughout the University.
Some academic departments do offer courses in the Arts from time to time. Check the academic offerings under CLAS, particularly the Department of Theatre and the Honors Program.
Band Camp is an "early arrival" program for returning students. We strongly encourage all returning band members to attend as we prepare for football season and play for New Student Orientation.
Workshop Weekends are held for most of our groups during one of the first two weekends back on campus in the fall. All students are strongly encouraged to participate in the scheduled events as we prepare for performances that occur early in the semester, including the Family Weekend Showcase.
Band Camp and Workshop Weekends are our only opportunity to have a concentrated immersion experience at the start of each school year before academic pursuits necessarily take precedence.
CURRENT STUDENTS
Most music groups are not auditioned. You may join the band, chamber strings, men's choir (Singers), women's choir (Voices), dance ensemble, Irish Dance Team, Twirlers, and tap (NovaNoise) without an audition.
Sometimes within an organization, there will be auditions for solos or smaller ensembles.
Groups that do audition students include:
- Choral: A Cappella Groups
- Dance Groups: Dance Company, Ablaze, Nova Nassa, Superlative, Wazobia
- Band Auxiliary: Dance Team
- Instrumental: Jazz Band
- Theatre: The Department of Theatre's clubs for undergraduates audition for roles before each show is cast. All are welcome to join the clubs and have a hand in choosing shows, producing, directing, and doing tech just by being non-auditioned members.
All groups that hold auditions will hold audition new students at the beginning of the academic year. Some hold auditions at the start of the spring semester if there are openings for new members.
Please view the rehearsal space and master calendar website for details. A Villanova login is required to view.
Please submit all concert information to Christine Nass, Assistant Director of Student Performing Arts.
GENERAL INTEREST
Most student performances are free and open to the public.
Ticket reservations, even when free of charge, are required for all events held in the Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
The Irish Dance Competition, A Capella Palooza, theatre productions, dance showcases, and some a cappella concerts may charge an admission fee and student groups often sell tickets in-person at the Connelly Center.
Student Performing Arts may be reached at 610-519-7214 or by emailing arts@villanova.edu.
TRAVELING TO VILLANOVA
Already familiar with the area? View the Maps and Directions website.
- Most of our performances are held in The Mullen Center for the Performing Arts, building number 73 on the campus map. There is guest parking in the adjacent lot, labeled I-1.
- Our offices and some events and rehearsals are in St. Mary's Hall, building number 53 on the campus map. Use parking lot W-1 with access from County Line Road.
- Some special events are held in the Villanova Room in the Connelly Center, building number 24 on the campus map.