Audition Requirements

Auditions for entry in September 2023

Rehearsal

An official accompanist will be arranged for your audition and you will be given the opportunity to rehearse with them, but please note that rehearsal time will be limited.

If you are bringing your own accompanist, you will be allocated a room so that you can rehearse with your accompanist for 25 minutes prior to your audition. Please can you inform us if you will be bringing your own accompanist.

Undergraduate Audition Requirements

Audition

Harpsichord Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods, of your own choice. Candidates may also be asked to play scales (ABRSM Grade VIII standard) and sight read.
Fortepiano Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice. Candidates may also be asked to play scales (ABRSM Grade VIII standard) and sight read.
Baroque Strings (violin, viola, cello, viol/viola da gamba) Please perform two movements from a late baroque sonata or suite (Bach, Corelli, Handel, etc), and one other contrasting free choice piece (or movement) from the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Transcriptions are acceptable for viola applicants. Candidates may also be asked to play scales (ABRSM Grade VIII standard) and sight read.
Baroque Wind (flute, oboe, bassoon) Please perform two movements from a late baroque sonata or suite (Bach, Corelli, Handel, etc), and one other contrasting free choice piece (or movement) from the seventeenth or eighteenth century. Transcriptions are acceptable for viola applicants. Candidates may also be asked to play scales (ABRSM Grade VIII standard) and sight read.
Recorder Please see Recorder Department page.
Plucked Strings (lute, theorbo, archlute) Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice appropriate to your instrument.

Interview

The panel will be interested to hear you talk about your artistic influences, your inspiration to be a musician and your career objectives.

This is also an opportunity for you to ask the panel questions about your Department and what life will be like as a musician in Birmingham. You may also be asked to play scales and sight read during the virtual interview.

Please visit our Audition Advice page to help you prepare for your virtual audition and interview.

Postgraduate Audition Requirements

Audition

Harpsichord Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods. Candidates may also be asked demonstrate ability to play figured bass at sight.
Organ Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration.
Fortepiano Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
Early Wind (baroque/classical flute, oboe, bassoon; classical clarinet) Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
Recorder Please see Recorder Department page.
Early Brass (natural/baroque trumpet, natural/hand horn, sackbut/early trombone, cornetto) Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
Plucked Strings (lute, theorbo, archlute) Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods appropriate to your instrument(s).
Early Strings (baroque/classical violin, viola, cello, viola da gamba, bass/violone) Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods appropriate to your instrument(s).

Interview

The panel will be interested to hear you talk about your artistic influences, your inspiration to be a musician and your career objectives.

This is also an opportunity for you to ask the panel questions about your Department and what life will be like as a musician in Birmingham.

Please visit our Audition Advice page to help you prepare for your virtual audition and interview.