International Students

If you are an international applicant who would like to audition in the UK you will be required to prepare two pieces for audition:

The first movement of the orchestral score of Debussy’s La Mer, to be rehearsed with a pianist.

The Marche Royale and Petit Concert from Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) to be rehearsed with an ensemble.

There will be two stages to the audition. At the first stage of the audition you will be asked to demonstrate your conducting abilities through a rehearsal of the first movement of La Mer. This will be rehearsed with a pianist. There will also be a short interview, to include some aural tests.

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to attend the second stage of the audition; where you will be asked to demonstrate your conducting abilities through a rehearsal of the Marche Royale and Petit Concert from Histoire du Soldat. This will be rehearsed with an ensemble.

Please note:

• The pianist and ensemble will be arranged by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
• The audition in the morning will last approximately 20 minutes and the audition in the afternoon will last approximately 30 minutes.

If you are unable to attend an audition in the UK please contact us directly at conservatoire.international@bcu.ac.uk and we can look into arranging an alternative audition for you.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Composers must send a portfolio of at least three compositions in any style, and where possible, recordings of some of these works. A broad range of pieces is encouraged.

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Composers must send a portfolio of at least three compositions and a high-quality recording of at least one of these works when requested.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Audition requirements (BMus and MMus)

You should provide a recording of two contrasting pieces including a live band rhythm section, as well as a short unaccompanied transcribed solo (please see the note below for guidance). One of the pieces performed must be chosen from a list of standards; the other one is your own choice.  Please choose a piece from the list below:

1. Any 12 bar Blues head in any key. Typical examples include Blue Monk, Now’s the Time, Sandu, Tenor Madness, Straight No Chaser, Relaxin at Camarillo
2. Any Rhythm Changes in Bb concert. Typical examples include Anthropology, Oleo, I’ve Got Rhythm
3. Ladybird
4. Tune Up
5. Green Dolphin Street
6. I’ll Remember April
7. Body and Soul
8. Cherokee
9. What Is This Thing Called Love
10. All The Things You Are
11. Confirmation
12. Yardbird Suite

The second piece is a free choice. It may again be chosen from the list above but could be any jazz standard or an original composition.

Guidance Notes

1. Pianists, bass players and drummers will audition by taking the place of their respective instrument in the rhythm trio. Guitarists replace the piano forming a trio of guitar, bass and drums.
2. What is a transcription?: Transcriptions are notated versions of improvisations. The panel would prefer to hear a transcription of an established improviser who is significant to the history of jazz. It is not appropriate to present arrangements in a jazz style or composed melodies for this section.
3. In order to demonstrate a basic level of harmonic literacy, drum and vocal applicants are required to present some prepared work at the piano keyboard. The panel are not expecting piano skills to any performance level but need to know that the applicant can find satisfactory voicings for common chords in jazz language. Therefore drummers and vocalists are asked to choose one of the pieces from the list above and play through the chord progression at the piano. Because of this extra requirement, drummers and vocalists do not have to prepare a transcription.
4. The panel will only consider offering places on the course to candidates who improvise for the majority of their performance.
5. Candidates are encouraged to research their chosen pieces from original recordings but will also find some lead sheet versions in the "New Real Book" published by Sher Music. Another good source is the Charlie Parker Omnibook. Both publications can be ordered from Jazzwise Publications on +44 (0)2087695430 or Jazzwise.com.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Piano

Please perform a programme of pieces (or movements) of different styles or periods of your own choice. The programme should be at least 20 minutes in length, and must be recorded in one single take.

Harpsichord/Organ

Please perform two or three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice (minimum 15 minutes).

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Piano

Please perform a programme of pieces (or movements) of different styles or periods of your own choice. The programme should be at least 40 minutes in length, and must be recorded in one single take.

Harpsichord/Organ

Please perform a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Music technologists should send a representative portfolio of at least three pieces of creative work, comprising compositions, recordings, sequencing work, production tracks, music or sound to picture, web-based development or any other work that showcases ability in this area. Scores, CD-audio, DVD-video, sound files or CD-ROMs may be sent as appropriate, or work may be sent electronically utilising link(s) to cloud-based hosting services such as Dropbox, Googledrive, YouTube etc.

An interview via Skype may also be requested after your portfolio has been reviewed.

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Music technologists should send a representative portfolio of at least three pieces of creative work, comprising compositions, recordings, sequencing work, production tracks, music or sound to picture, web-based development or any other work that showcases ability in this area. Scores, CD-audio, DVD-video, sound files or CD-ROMs may be sent as appropriate, or work may be sent electronically utilising link(s) to cloud-based hosting services such as Dropbox, Googledrive, YouTube etc.

An interview via Skype may also be requested after your portfolio has been reviewed.

We welcome applicants from musicians of all previous backgrounds, not just those that have studied music technology at undergraduate level.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Please perform one study/piece from the repertoire below on each of the instruments listed. If you wish to perform pieces that are not on this list, please contact the Head of Percussion (Toby.Kearney@bcu.ac.uk) before your audition to confirm whether your choice is suitable. You are also welcome to play drum kit if you believe it will enhance your application.

Snare Drum (you are welcome to bring your own snare drum should you wish to):

• Jacques Delécluse, Douze Etudes pour Caisse-Claire
• Kevin Hathway and Ian Wright, Graded Music for Snare Drum, Book IV (Grade 8 pieces only)

Tuned Percussion:

• Ian Wright, Graded Music for Tuned Percussion, Book IV (Grade 8 pieces only)
• Similar 2-mallet Bach violin or cello suites are also suitable

Timpani:

• Nick Woud, Symphonic Studies for Timpani

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Please present a varied programme that lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. This may include solo repertoire, orchestral excerpts and/or a collection of drum kit/Latin/ethnic percussion tracks. Please contact the Head of Percussion (Toby.Kearney@bcu.ac.uk) before your audition to discuss your ideas and the suitability of your programme. Below are two examples of suitable audition repertoire.

Example A

Snare Drum:

• Delécluse,Study No. 9
• Rimsky-Korsakov, Scheherazade
• Rimsky-Korsakov, Capriccio Espagnol
• Williams, Star Wars

Xylophone:

• Stravinsky, Firebird
• Copland, Appalachian Spring
• Gershwin, Porgy & Bess

Timpani:

• Tchaikovsky, Symphony No 5
• Britten, Storm, from Sea Interludes
• Nick Woud, Study

Marimba:

• Keiko Abe, Variations on Japanese Children's Songs

Example B

Drum Kit (with audio play along):

• Paich (Toto), Rosanna
• Wonder, Superstition
• Wilson, (Porcupine Tree) Stars Die

Congas, Timbales, Cajon:

• Puente, Oye Como Va
• Cruz, Zamba Malato

Marimba:

• Bach, Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1

Vibraphone:

• Rackipov, Open Attic Window

Snare Drum:

• Gerassimez, Asventuras

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus) and Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Bowed strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass)

Please perform a programme of at least 20 minutes, recorded in one single take. Requirements for each instrument are as follows.

• Violin: the first movement of a Mozart concerto with cadenza or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece of your choice.
• Viola: the first movement of Stamitz or Hoffmeister concerto in D or B flat with cadenza or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece of your own choice.
• Cello: the first movement of either Haydn’s C or D major concertos with cadenza or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece of your own choice.
• Double Bass; the first movement of a classical concerto or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece or movement.
• Harp (undergraduate applicants): please perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice.
• Harp (postgraduate applicants): please perform a varied programme of about 15 minutes; this may be drawn from the concerto repertoire or the solo repertoire.
• Classical Guitar: please perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice.

Please perform a varied programme of 20 minutes, recorded in one single take. Your programme should include at least three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods, in at least three European languages, including English. At least one of the pieces must be an aria (with recitative, if available) from an opera or oratorio.

Woodwind Department Recording Guidance

Candidates are asked to present a programme totalling 15 minutes’ duration, performing a piece on their chosen instrument.

Candidates will also be required to perform a varied selection of scales from a recognised Grade VIII (or equivalent) examination syllabus.

Please play one scale from each of the following categories. Your chosen selection should include scales with up to five sharps and flats and a combination of legato, legato tongued and staccato articulations.

• Major scales
• Harmonic minor scales
• Melodic minor scales
• Major arpeggios
• Minor arpeggios

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

Specialisms available

Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Collaborative Piano, Opera Repetiteur, Chamber Music (established ensembles only).

To be considered for the AdvPgDip, applicants interested in these specialisms must send a high quality video recording via online links fulfilling our audition requirements to reach us by 6th October 2023. Please check audition requirements for your chosen specialism here. Click on 'Entry Requirements and scroll to the bottom of the page.

At the same time as submitting your recording you should email the following as word or pdf attachments to Conservatoire International Admissions conservatoire.international@bcu.ac.uk.

1) A full list of public performances given over the past 24 months, clearly indicating dates, venues and repertoire performed.

2) A current biography (of the kind that would appear in a concert/operatic production programme). Chamber ensembles should submit a group biography and, in addition, individual biographies for each member of the ensemble.

Please note that your application cannot be considered if you fail to submit your recording and/or the above information by 6th October 2023.

Your recording will be screened by an audition panel and should you be successful, you will be invited to a live audition in November.

APD Opera Repetiteur, Choral Conducting

Please note that it is not possible for Opera Repetiteur or Choral Conducting applicants to audition via a recording. Applicants for these specialisms must audition live in Birmingham.