application for the
Griot
Youth Program
The Griot Youth Program is a non-profit organization that
provides classes in the arts to students going into 7th-12th
grades. The classes will meet at the Griot Building at 278
Sunflower Ave in downtown Clarksdale. Each student that is
accepted into the program is required to come Monday-Thursday
from 4:15-6:30 and must not be committed to any extra-curricular
activities that will interfere with classes. Applications for
Spring 2016 are due to the Griot Arts Building. Drop off the
application or mail it to 278 Sunflower Ave. Clarksdale, MS
38614. After we receive your application, we will call you to
set up an interview and audition time. The student and a
guardian are required to attend. After the interview, we will
let you know if you have been accepted. Our Spring semester will
start on January 6th, 2016. If you have any questions, please
call Emily Wisseman at 217-778-0516. There is a $20
registration fee per semester.
Name_______________________ School_____________________ Grade___
Guardian’s Name ____________________Relationship:_______________
Phone__________________ Parent Cell ____________________________
Student Cell______________________Parent E-mail_________________
Mailing Address _______________________________________________
Guardian-Are you employed? If so, Where?________________________
Work Phone number __________________________
What is the best time for you to come for the interview? ______
Will you be able to provide a ride for your child to and from
the program? ___________
In the event that you are unable to provide a ride, do you give
Griot staff permission to pick up your child from school and/or
drive them home?_______________
Student Name_____________________________
Classes: Each student will be asked to declare a “major” every
semester. This is the area of arts in which they would like to
focus. The options for majors are:
MUSIC (violin,guitar,ensemble,mobile music bus)
DANCE (modern, hip hop)
THEATER
River Arts (Canoeing)
VISUAL ARTS
(Drawing & painting,
Digital Design)
Summer Art Camp:
Each student who wants to be in the Griot Youth Program must
attend our summer arts camp.
AUDITIONS:
An audition/interview will be held in Dec/Jan. Each
audition/interview will take 30 minutes. Please call Emily at
217-778-0516 to set up your audition time. Students will be
required to perform or provide a portfolio in the area of arts
that they choose as their major.
CHOOSE ONE BELOW:
Music: students can perform a song of their choice on an
instrument of their choice or choose to sing. Rapping may be
included, but must be accompanied by either singing or playing
an instrument. ** Please bring music in CD form to the audition
if you need it for accompaniment.
Dance: Students can perform a choreographed dance of their
choice to a song of their choice ** please bring music in CD
form to the audition.
Visual Arts: Students may submit ORIGINAL works of art:
Drawings, paintings, or photography. Each student must submit at
least three examples of their art.
Theater: Students will perform a short monolog for the audition.
Students will attend one arts class each day, Monday-Thursday.
Depending on their major, a student may be required to take two
classes each week in their area of interest.
Please choose the classes you want to attend:
Please rank these classes (1 being the class you’d like to attend the most, 12 being the
class you’d least like to attend)
Student Name_____________________________
Your class options are:
__ Visual Art and Design __ Cooking and Gardening ___ Dance
__ Guitar __ Ensemble __ Violin/Folk Band ___ Music Production ___ Crafts
__ Theater ___ River Arts ___ Drums ___ Digital Arts____Keyboard
*Classes meet at various times. We will use your preferences to help put you in the
classes you are most interested in.
***Please choose carefully, as we are very serious about regular attendance at the
program. In order for us to really make an impact, it is very important that the students
attend every day they sign up for.
Attendance is extremely important for the success of our
program. We require that students attend every class that they
are able to. If a student misses 3 class periods without an
excuse, they will be required to write an essay to re-enter the
class. If a student has 10 unexcused absences they must reapply
to the program and if they have 16 unexcused absences in a
semester, they may not come back to the program until the
following semester and must reapply and are not guaranteed a
spot.
Will you do your best to attend every class that you are able?
(Guardian’s
signature)____________________________________________________
(Student’s signature)
___________________________________________________Date_______
As part of our program, we ask that every child enrolled in the
Griot Arts Program participate in “tutoring time” (4:30-5:15)
before the start of their art class. They will be provided with
access to computers and have adult tutors for classes they are
struggling in on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday will have
speakers or “town hall meetings” and Thursday is small group
Bible study. This is mandatory, and if a student doesn’t attend
study period, he/she will not be able to take the arts class.
Do you agree to attend all study periods?
(Guardian’s
signature)__________________________________________________
(Student’s signature)
___________________________________________________
Student Name_____________________________
Guardian: Why are you interested in your child being part Griot
Youth Program?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Students: Please write three paragraphs on a separate sheet of
paper about why you want to be part of the Griot Youth Program
including what area you’d like to major in and why you are
interested in that subject.
Student’s acceptance will depend on the audition, essay, and
interview process. We will decide who will fit best in the
program and choose the new students accordingly. Previous
students will get first priority unless they have shown in the
past that they are not committed to the program and do not show
a renewed interest.
Griot Youth Program also seeks to help students academically and
with behavior by keeping up with the progress they make in
school. Do you agree to allow Griot Arts Inc. to receive a copy
of your child’s report card and behavioral reports for our
records? (It will not be disclosed to anyone except Griot
Officials)
(Guardian’s Signature)
_______________________________________
Student Name:
_______________________________________
Date:
______________________