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 Audition requirements (BMus)

You should provide a recording of two contrasting pieces including rhythm section, as well as a short transcribed solo (unaccompanied). 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.

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Jazz performers should provide a recording of two contrasting pieces including rhythm section, as well as a short transcribed solo (unaccompanied).  ). 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

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Piano/Harpsichord/Organ

You will be asked to 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

You will be asked to perform three or four pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice (minimum 25 minutes).

Harpsichord/Organ

You will be asked to present 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)

You will be expected to prepare one study/piece from the repertoire below on each of the instruments listed. Should you wish to perform something different from this list, please contact the Head of Percussion (Adrian.Spillett@bcu.ac.uk) prior to 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)

You need to 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 be in touch with the Head of Percussion (Adrian.Spillett@bcu.ac.uk) prior to 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)

• Violin candidates must perform the first movement of a Mozart Concerto with Cadenza or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece of your choice.
• Viola Candidates must perform the first movement of Stamitz or Hoffmiester Concerto in D or B flat with Cadenza or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece of your own choice.
• Cello candidates must perform 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 candidates must perform the first movement of a Classical Concerto or any two movements of solo Bach and a contrasting piece or movement.
• Harp (undergraduate applicants): candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Harp (postgraduate applicants): candidates will be asked to present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration this may be drawn from the concerto repertoire. Candidates can draw their pieces from the solo repertoire.
• Classical Guitar applicants must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Singers must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice. At least one of the pieces must be an aria (with recitative, if available) from an opera or oratorio.

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Singers must present a varied programme of about 15 minutes duration which must include works in at least three European languages, including English.

Undergraduate Audition requirements (BMus)

Candidates will need to perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice. Candidates will also need to play a varied selection from ABRSM Grade VIII scale - at least two of each of the following will need to be included:

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

Please play your scales legato or tongued or a mixture.

Postgraduate Audition requirements (MMus/PGDip)

Candidates will be asked to present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration which may be drawn from the concerto repertoire. Players of Orchestral Woodwind instruments should also prepare two contrasting orchestral excerpts of your own choice. Candidates will also need to play a varied selection from ABRSM Grade VIII scale - at least two of each of the following will need to be included:

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

Please play your scales legato or tongued or a mixture.

Specialisms available

Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, Collaborative Piano, Opera Repetiteur, Chamber Music

To be considered for the AdvPgDip, applicants interested in these specialisms must send a high quality video recording via online links or on a DVD fulfilling our audition requirements to reach us by 15th December 2017. 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 the Course Director, Luan Shaw via luan.shaw@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).

Please note that your application cannot be considered if you fail to submit your recording and/or the above information by 15th December 2017.

Please also note that whatever the timing of your submission, no offers will be made until after the ‘live’ audition period at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in January.

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. The next live auditions will be in January 2018 and the closing date for applications will be 24th November 2017. See details of how to apply here.