Violin Audition Preparation Intensives

Put your best foot forward for college auditions by joining Butler University violin faculty for one of our weekend Violin Audition Preparation Intensives this fall! We will host two separate intensives during the Fall 2022 semester, one in October and the next in December.

Event Dates and Locations

Friday evening, December 2- Sunday, December 4, 2022 in Lilly Hall on the campus of Butler University. Commuter option only.
Spring 2023 date to be announced!

Who is eligible?

These intensives are designed for current high school seniors intending to enroll at a college or university in Fall 2023. However, high school juniors and younger are welcome to apply. Each intensive will serve approximately four to five students total to allow for personalized, one-on-one instruction.

What will I learn?

You will receive personalized, guided practice and feedback on your audition repertoire as well as tips and tools for navigating a successful violin audition all in a welcoming, supportive environment. Each intensive will include:

One-on-one instruction with Dr. Mélanie Clapiès through guided practice
Violin classes with fellow intensive participants
Performance opportunities throughout the weekend
Interaction with current Butler violin majors
Meals and social activities such as attending an on-campus orchestra performance

Cost: Free!

What do I bring?

At least two pieces of repertoire to work on during the Intensive.
A short piece or excerpt of approximately five minutes in length to perform on the first evening of the Intensive. This can be piece that you’ll be working on during the Intensive or something entirely different; this informal performance is simply a way for participants to get to know each other.
Your violin, of course!
Music stands will be provided, but feel free to bring a collapsible stand of your own if desired.

Join the waiting list or email listserv for updates!

Schedule for October 7-9, 2022 (subject to change)

Friday, October 7

5:00 PM Check-in begins in Lilly Hall, Room 133.
5:30 PM Intensive begins.
7:30 PM Dinner break, meal provided.
8:30 PM Dismissal.

Saturday, October 8

8:45 AM Doors open to Lilly Hall, Room 133.
9:00 AM Instruction begins.
12:00 PM Lunch break in Atherton Union with current Butler students.
1:00 PM Dismissal.

Sunday, October 9

No instruction scheduled for Sunday, October 9
3:00 PM Butler Symphony Orchestra concert in the Schrott Center for the Arts, free, no tickets required

Additional Details & Reminders

Remember to prepare an approximately five-minute piece or excerpt to perform at the first meeting on Friday, October 7. This piece can be from the repertoire you’ll be working on during the Intensive, or something entirely different. This informal performance is simply a way for us to get to know one another.
Submit any changes or additions to your repertoire to music@butler.edu on or before Monday, October 3.

Schedule for December 2-4, 2022 (subject to change)

Friday, December 2

5:00 PM Check-in begins in Lilly Hall.
5:30 PM Intensive begins.
7:00 PM Dinner break, meal provided.
8:00 PM Instruction resumes.
9:00 PM Dismissal.

Saturday, December 3

8:45 AM Doors open to Lilly Hall, Room TBA.
9:00 AM Instruction begins.
1:00 PM Lunch break in Atherton Union with current Butler students.
~2:00 PM Instruction resumes.
4:00 PM Short break.
4:15 PM Instruction resumes.
7:00 PM Dinner break, meal provided.
8:00 PM Closing instruction/activity.
9:30 PM Dismissal.

Sunday, December 4

8:45 AM Doors open to Lilly Hall, Room TBA.
9:00 AM Instruction begins.
12:00 PM Lunch break.
1:00 PM Instruction resumes.
3:00 PM Dismissal.

Join the December Intensive waiting list!

Dr. Mélanie Clapiès, Professor of Violin

Born in Paris, Mélanie Clapiès studied and developed her musical career in Europe before moving to the United States. A passionate chamber musician, she has collaborated with artists such as Roger Tapping, Anthony Marwood, Pavel Vernikov, Vladimir Mendelssohn, Adam Laloum, Guillaume Vincent, Patrick Hemmerlé. Together with cellist Yan Levionnois she recorded the album “Pierrots Lunaires” which was released by Fondamenta. She was also the co-founder of the chamber music festival “En attendant…” in Semur en Brionnais, France.

As an orchestra musician, she regularly performed with the Paris Opera, Lyon’s National Orchestra (ONL), Bordeaux’s National Orchestra (ONB), the conductorless ensemble Les Dissonances, and the period orchestra Le Cercle de l’Harmonie. Dr. Clapiès has held previous violin faculty positions at the Jacques Thibaud Conservatory in Bordeaux, the Toulon Provence Méditerranée Conservatory (Conservatoire TPM), and also taught at the École Normale de Musique Alfred Cortot in Paris. She received a master’s degree and Artist Diploma in violin performance from the Yale School of Music where she studied with Syoko Aki, and worked with Mark Steinberg while completing a doctorate at the Manhattan School of Music.

Beyond her love for the traditional classical style, Dr. Clapiès has wide ranging musical interests as a composer and improviser, including new and experimental music, electronic music, and period performance practice. In her spare time, when she is not hiking with her husband Matt Moldover, she loves drawing and writing fiction.

Dr. Lisa Brooks, Dean of the Jordan College of the Arts, Professor of Violin

Lisa Brooks came to Butler in 1994 as a member of the violin faculty. Prior to her appointment as Dean of JCA, she served as Chair of the School of Music and Director of the Graduate Music Program. She held previous faculty appointments at Baylor University, the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, Messiah College, and Dickinson College. Brooks received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in violin performance from West Virginia University. Her doctorate in violin performance is from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

As an orchestral musician, Dr. Brooks is currently principal second violinist of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and a frequent substitute musician with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on both violin and viola. She presents the pre-concert lectures for the Ensemble Music Society, and is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the International Council of Fine Arts Deans.

In 2013, Brooks received the inaugural Faculty Award for Distinguished Service and Leadership from Butler University, and in 2001, she received a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship from the Arts Council of Indianapolis.

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