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Audition Advice

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Preparing for your audition

Read through the information below. Your audition details will be submitted to UCAS Conservatoires so please keep a close eye on your UCAS Conservatoires track. We will also send an email notifying you that audition details have been submitted which will give general information needed.

If you do not already have them, please read our audition requirements and decide on your repertoire. If you have any specific queries about the requirements, please contact us and we will be happy to advise: conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk.

Dependant on your selection on your UCAS conservatoires application you will either be invited to an in-person or virtual audition.

Tips for your in-person audition day

1

Given the unforeseen travel delays sometimes experienced by candidates in the past, please aim to arrive earlier than your official arrival time, especially if a long journey is involved.

2

Download and print travel and parking directions (please note that there is no parking at the Conservatoire itself, though a multi-storey carpark is a short walk away).

3

When you arrive for your audition, please enter the building via the main entrance. Here you will see the auditions reception where you will register for your audition and be given details about your audition rooms.

4

At the auditions reception we will also detail any tours, events and activities you might be interested in attending throughout the day.

Good luck with your audition preparation. We look forward to meeting you.

Tips for your virtual audition

If you choose to attend a virtual audition instead of a live in-person audition, details of your virtual interview will come to you via the UCAS Conservatoires so please keep a close eye on your UCAS Conservatoires track.

All applicants invited to a virtual audition will need access to a device with a screen, microphone and a webcam. A tablet or laptop with an inbuilt microphone and webcam will work well, but you can also use a computer with an internal or external webcam and microphone for your virtual audition. A smartphone with an inbuilt webcam and microphone can also be used by any applicant who will not be required to perform sight reading.

Performance applicants: you may be asked to review a short study/ sight reading to perform to the panel and so you will need access to a device with a screen 7inches (17cm) or larger for your virtual audition.

If you are concerned about the technology you have access to in order to participate in a virtual audition, please contact us: conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk.

We know that you will have lots of questions about your virtual audition so we have prepared some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you prepare.

1

Ensure you have access to a quiet and safe space for your virtual audition. If you will be attending your virtual audition at home, spaces like kitchens, dining rooms or living rooms will work best.

2

Please make sure there is enough light so we can clearly see you during your virtual audition.

3

You will need a secure internet connection and access to the required video conferencing platform, details of which will be emailed to you with your audition invitation.

4

Make sure your device is fully charged and/or is plugged into a power source.

5

You may want to test your camera and microphone before your virtual audition to avoid any potential technical difficulties. Performance applicants – you may also want to practice reading music via your chosen device to prepare for the sight-reading element of your audition.

Good luck with your audition preparation. We look forward to meeting you.

Audition Recordings (for those attending a Virtual Audition)

Please download and read our Audition Recording Guide as you prepare to make your audition video. This detailed guide will help you meet our audition requirements and help answer questions you may have about making and submitting your audition video.

UK Applicants: once your application has been submitted, we will contact you via e-mail with information on how to upload your audition recording/portfolio links to the MySRS portal.

Audition recordings and portfolios should be submitted within two weeks of receipt of acknowledgement communication.

International Applicants: please submit your portfolio or audition video links and supporting documents to conservatoire.international@bcu.ac.uk.

For more information, please visit our Virtual Auditions page

We understand that not all of our applicants will have access to the same technology so please be assured that the technology you use to make your audition recording or attend your virtual interview will not put you at a disadvantage.

Our staff are highly skilled at assessing potential via virtual auditions and interviews and will be looking for potential over perfection. However, if you are still concerned about the technology you have access to, please contact us: conservatoire.admissions@bcu.ac.uk.

Looking for financial support?

Learn about Royal Birmingham Conservatoire bursaries and scholarships.

Free Auditions

if you are a UK applicant living in the United Kingdom you may be eligible for an audition fee waiver to enable you to audition for free. Please see our Fee Waiver page for more information.

All candidates should note that a second study audition is not required.

Group of musicians playing instruments.

Auditions

Learn more about our auditions.

Auditions

Student playing Violin in rehearsal room.

Audition requirements

Our requirements for specific instruments.

Audition requirements

Maisie: Hi, I'm Maisie, and I'm a Clarinettist here at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and I'm here today in the room that did my audition to give you my top five tips on auditioning at RBC. Number one, if you're auditioning for performance course, choose music that you enjoy playing. This will not only come across to the panel, but it'll also make practising and preparing your pieces so much easier and more enjoyable for you. Just remember the panellists really just want you to do your best. Tip number two that I found really helpful as a woodwind player is whatever you choose to wear on your audition, try and try on the outfit and play your pieces in it before the day. Different shoes and different waistbands can really impact your breathing and your posture. So try to be as prepared as you can be. Tip number three: try and remember on your audition day that everybody wants you to do well. If you have any questions or concerns on the day, you can ask one of the really friendly stewards and they've been through the exact same experiences you are about to. Tip number four, go to Open Days and speak to departmental staff. They'll be able to give you course and instrument specific tips on auditioning, and often they'll be the people on the panel and your audition itself. I think a familiar face is always reassuring. Tip number five: Feeling nervous in an audition is absolutely normal, but in the run up to your audition, try out ways that you can calm yourself down and deal with any performance anxiety that you may feel. This could be anything from saying positive affirmations to yourself in the warm up room, to doing breathing exercises or even getting your energy out with a silly dance. I've been Maisie, and these have been my Top five tips on auditioning at Rosebank Conservatoire. Good luck with your audition.