Before applying, please review the 2025 Macdonald Guide. If you have any questions, please contact The Alden at alden@mcleancenter.org

Please remember:
  • All applicants must be full-time high school students (grades 9 to 12).
  • All applicants must reside in, or attend school in, Small District 1A of the Dranesville Tax District.
  • An application fee of $20 is required for each application.
  • All applicants must attend their category's preliminary round and the final round on April 30. No exceptions.
Theatre and Dance Finalists will have a Technical Rehearsal on April 29th between 5-9 p.m. Each Finalist will have an assigned 20-minute time block.
Vocal and Instrumental Music will have a Technical Rehearsal on April 30th from 5:00-8:00. It is recommended, but not required, that your accompanist (if any) attend this rehearsal.

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* 1. Please select the category that you would like to compete in.
You may compete in more than one category, but you must submit a separate online application for each and pay an additional $20 non-refundable application fee for each category.

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* 2. If Instrumental, what instrument?

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* 3. Preferred First Name

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* 4. Last Name

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* 5. Best Email Address to Reach You

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* 6. Best Phone Number to Reach You

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* 7. Address

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* 8. City

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* 9. State

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* 10. Zip

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* 11. School

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* 12. Grade

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* 13. Please provide information about your most noteworthy classes or individual lessons in the category for which you are applying. You may describe up to 6 different experiences. Please list the type of class, location/instructor and number of years for each.

For example:
1. Advanced Technique; Music School/Dr. Smith; 5 years
2. Private Lessons; Music School/Dr. Smith; 2 years

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* 14. Please provide information about your most noteworthy performance experience in the category for which you are applying. You may describe up to 6 different experiences. Please list the title and role, location and date.

For example:
1. Romeo and Juliet, Juliet; McLean High School; 2015
2. Band Recital, Wind Ensemble; Dr. Smith; 2014

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* 15. Please provide all of your availability for the preliminary round. Once all applications and application fees are received, a confirmation will be sent to the email you listed above with your time slot and important information.

Preliminary round dates are:
Theatre: Monday, February 3, 2024
Dance: Tuesday. February 4, 2024
Vocal Music: Wednesday, February 5, 2024
Instrumental Music: Thursday, February 6, 2024

In order to compete in a category, you must be available on that category's date. No exceptions.

  Available at this time
7:00 -7:15 PM
7:15-7:30 PM
7:30-7:45 PM
7:45-8:00 PM
8:00-8:15 PM
8:15-8:30 PM
8:30-8:45 PM
8:45-9:00 PM

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* 16. Theatre and Dance only -- Do you have any conflicts on April 29th between 5-9 p.m.? You will be assigned a 20-minute time block for your technical rehearsal. We will do our best to accommodate any schedule preferences.

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* 17. Verification

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* 18. Application Fee

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