Western Nebraska Community College

Western Nebraska Community College is offering its annual Performing & Visual Arts Day!

Come check out what WNCC has to offer in the instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and studio arts areas. Audition for ensembles and/or submit your art portfolio for review. Scholarships are available for all areas, whether you plan on majoring in the arts or just participating!

WNCC encourages you to become a part of our well-known and successful arts programs. The event is held on the Scottsbluff Campus and will also provide campus tours, financial aid and scholarship information, and a great lunch!
Register by clicking the date below:

Check back in 2025 for details about the next Performing & Visual Arts Showcase! If you are interested in meeting with performing and/or visual arts faculty now, or auditioning for ensembles and scholarships, please contact the Admissions Team at admissions@wncc.edu or 3008.635.6010. You can also schedule a campus visit at go.wncc.edu/visit.

During the Visual and Performing Arts Showcase, you will have the opportunity to participate in different workshops, watch WNCC groups perform, and audition for scholarships in all the arts!

The general schedule for the day is as follows:

9:30-10:00 a.m.: Sign in at Performing Arts Center on WNCC's Scottsbluff Campus

10:00-10:20 a.m.: Welcome and Introductions

10:20-11:10 a.m.: Workshop Options (select with registration)

11:20-12:10 p.m.: Workshop Options (select with registration)

12:10-1:15 p.m.: Lunch in Bishop Dining Hall and optional tours

1:15-1:45 p.m.: WNCC student performances

2:00-???: Dance, instrumental, theatre, and vocal auditions; visual art portfolio review-scholarships available for all! You do not have to be intending to major in any of the arts to be eligible for scholarships! You will have the opportunity to sign up for an audition time later.

7:30 p.m. Optional: Stay and watch Dr. Faustus. Request complimentary tickets with registration!
Register by clicking the date below:

Take a look at WNCC’s arts programs and audition/portfolio expectations:

INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL MUSIC
The WNCC music program awards performance grants that may cover up to 18 credits a semester to worthy musicians. These scholarships are available to both music majors and non-music majors. Student musicians are given the opportunity to study privately, and are encouraged to participate in various performing ensembles including:

Cougar Rock: an instrumental/vocal ensemble that specializes in popular music from the 1970s to today. Cougar Rock tours locally and regionally.
Fire in the Pan Swingers: a 1940s-era “big band” open to both students and community musicians. Presents several performances per year culminating in a community dance.
Western Nebraska Winds: a traditional concert band, open to both students and community members; performs three major performances per year (non-audition).
Collegiate Chorale: the premier concert choir of WNCC. Past performances include a gubernatorial inauguration and several at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall (non-audition).
Varsity Vocalise: a pop and musical theatre vocal ensemble. Students interested in Varsity Vocalise must enroll and participate in Collegiate Chorale. Varsity Vocalise tours locally and regionally.

Participants are welcome to audition for a single program or a combination of all three that require auditions!

THEATRE ARTS
The WNCC Theatre Arts program presents plays and musicals that emphasize a commentary on the human experience as it relates to the current state of affairs. By utilizing actors from both WNCC and the community, the Theatre Arts program provides quality theatrical productions that will raise social awareness, educate, and entertain. This program also awards performance grants that may cover up to 18 credits a semester, available to theatre majors and non-majors.

VISUAL ARTS
The WNCC Visual Arts program introduces students to basic concepts of art and design, and provides quality studio time to develop traditional art skills. Students explore and develop skills in drawing, design, painting, photography, and a variety of two- and three-dimensional media including sculpture and Claymation. Students will be able to complete the Visual Arts Scholarship once registration for the event is complete.

IN-PERSON MUSIC/THEATRE AUDITIONS

Instrumental music audition

Perform one to two short prepared pieces of your choice, showing your ability in various musical styles — no accompaniment needed.
Demonstrate a full-range chromatic scale.
Have a brief conference with the Instrumental Music Director.
(Recommended but not required) Provide a letter of recommendation from someone who knows your musical ability and work habits.
Applicants who would like to audition for Fire in the Pan Swingers and Cougar Rock are encouraged to include an additional selection in the pop or jazz style. Backing tracks are encouraged for Real Book selections or improv.

Vocal music audition

Perform one complete song of your choice or excerpts from two contrasting pieces (two to three minutes in length.) An accompanist will be provided.
Demonstrate simple sight-reading, pitch memory, and picking a note out of a chord.
Have a brief conference with the Vocal Music Director.
(Recommended but not required) Provide a letter of recommendation from someone who knows your musical ability and work habits.

Theatre/Musical Theatre audition

Present a monologue (no longer than 90 seconds) or be prepared for a cold reading.
Provide a performance resume.
Applicants wishing to go into directing, design, or stage management are asked to provide a portfolio of their work if they have one.
If you are interested in Musical Theatre, you are also required to do a vocal music audition.

IN-PERSON VISUAL ARTS PORTFOLIO INSTRUCTIONS

Provide a short personal statement introducing yourself.
Complete the Visual Arts Scholarship Application.
Compile and bring a portfolio of 10–20 original works for review.

Please contact WNCC's Performing arts or WNCC's Admissions Office with questions. You may also call 308.635.6010.

Register by clicking the date below