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.

Audition Requirements for Experimental Performance

Portfolio requirements

A portfolio presented as one single pdf document. This portfolio should show us all the aspects of your artistic practice that you find important.

The single pdf document can contain descriptive or artistic text and images but also links to other websites (for example of video/audio recordings of your work).

The nature of the work submitted and its presentation is up to you. However, please bear in mind that we need to clearly understand your personal approach to creating performances and making art. Make thoughtful decisions about specific elements of your work that you absolutely want us to see, for example by highlighting important sections through smart video editing or giving us timecodes so that we can easily locate essential moments within the documentation.

The portfolio also must contain a motivational statement, explaining your reasons for applying. This can be delivered in the form of written text (max one side of A4) or via a link to a video or audio recording (or equivalent).

Interview

A discussion of your portfolio will form the basis of an interview of around 30 minutes duration.

The interview panel will be interested to hear you talk about your artistic influences and your inspiration to be an artist. This is also an opportunity for you to ask the panel questions about the department and what life will be like as an artist in Birmingham. There are likely to be two interviewers on the panel.

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

Audition requirements for Undergraduate Historical Performance Applicants

Audition

• Harpsichord Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods, of your own choice.
• Fortepiano Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice.
• 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.
• 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.
• Recorder Please see Woodwind audition requirements.
• 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.

Audition requirements for Postgraduate Historical Performance Applicants

Audition

• Harpsichord Please present a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
• Organ Please see the Keyboard entry requirements.
• 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 perform a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
• Recorder Please see Woodwind audition requirements.
• Early Brass (natural/baroque trumpet, natural/hand horn, sackbut/early trombone, cornetto) Please perform a varied programme of about 15 minutes’ duration of contrasting styles/periods.
• Plucked Strings (lute, theorbo, archlute) Please perform 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 perform 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.

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.

Audition requirements for Undergraduate Keyboard Applicants

• Piano Performance Please perform a programme three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice. The programme should be at least 20 minutes in length, and must be recorded in one single take.
• Harpsichord Please perform three pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of your own choice (minimum 15 minutes).
• Organ Please perform a work by J.S Bach and a work of your choice from the 19th/20th Century. 

Interview

As part of your virtual audition you may be invited to attend a virtual interview where you may be asked to perform part of your audition and technical assessments such as sight reading and scales.

The virtual interview will also give you a chance to meet our staff and ask questions about life as a student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Audition requirements for Postgraduate Keyboard Applicants

• Piano Performance 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.
• Piano Accompaniment Please perform a varied programme of 40 minutes, not all of which may be heard. It is preferable to include a partner(s), either a vocalist or instrumentalist(s) and demonstrate song or instrumental duo/trio/quartet/quintet work where possible. You may also include solo items, although this is not compulsory.
• Harpsichord Please perform a varied programme of different styles and periods of your own choice about 15 minutes’ duration.
• Organ You will be asked to present a varied programme that should include: A significant work or movement by JS Bach, a pre-Bach short work/movement, a 19th/20th work/movement not exceeding 10 minutes in duration.

Interview:

As part of your virtual audition you may be invited to attend a virtual interview where you may be asked to perform part of your audition and technical assessments such as sight reading and scales.

The virtual interview will also give you a chance to meet our staff and ask questions about life as a student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Audition requirements for Undergraduate BMus Music Technology Applicants

Portfolio Requirements

As part of the entry requirements of our BMus Music Technology programme you will be required to submit a portfolio of work. This must contain at least three pieces which may be recordings, productions, compositions, sound to picture or other appropriate material.

The portfolio should be submitted to us electronically via online links such as SoundCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox etc. Portfolios submitted online should be clearly navigable. Once your application has been submitted we will contact you via e-mail on how our to upload your audition portfolio to the MySRS portal.

Please send us your portfolio within two weeks of applying.

Interview

A discussion of your portfolio will form the basis of an interview of 15-25 minutes duration.

The interview 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 the department and what life will be like as a musician in Birmingham.

Audition requirements for Undergraduate BSc Music Technology Applicants

A typical offer is 120 UCAS points, and is based on your UCAS application form.

Full details of entry requirements and how to apply is available on the BSc Music Technology course page.

Audition requirements for Postgraduate MMus Music Technology Applicants

Portfolio requirements

As part of the entry requirements of our MMus/PgDip/PgCert Music Technology programme you will be required to submit a portfolio of work. This must contain at least three pieces which may be recordings, productions, compositions, sound to picture or other appropriate material.

The portfolio can be submitted to us electronically via online links such SoundCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. Portfolios submitted online should be clearly navigable. Once your application has been submitted we will contact you via email on how to upload your audition portfolio to the MySRS portal. 

Please send us your portfolio within two weeks of applying.

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

Interview

A discussion of your portfolio will form the basis of an interview of 15-25 minutes duration.

The interview 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 the department and what life will be like as a musician in Birmingham.

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

Audition requirements for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Strings Applicants

Candidates are asked to provide approximately 20 minute programme recorded in one single take. 

Please see instrument-specific requirements below:

• Cello Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Classical Guitar Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Double Bass Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Harp Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Viola Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.
• Violin Candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice.

Interview:

As part of your virtual audition you may be invited to attend a virtual interview where you may be asked to perform part of your audition and technical assessments such as sight reading and scales.

The virtual interview will also give you a chance to meet our staff and ask questions about life as a student at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

We know that attending a virtual audition will be a new experience for many of our applicants so we have prepared detailed guidance and advice on our Audition Advice page to help you prepare for your virtual audition and interview.

Audition requirements for Undergraduate Vocal Applicants

Audition

Please prepare and perform three classical art songs, arias, or concert works from memory. At least one of these selections should be in a language other than English or Latin. The program should be approximately 20 minutes in duration.

Interview

As part of your audition you will have a chance to chat with the panel about your journey as a singer so far, your influences and your aspirations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the Vocal Department and life as a student and musician in Birmingham.

Audition requirements for Postgraduate Vocal Applicants

Audition:

Please prepare and perform four classical art songs, arias, or concert works from memory. At least two of these selections should be in a language other than English or Latin. The program should be approximately 25 minutes in duration and recorded in a single take.

Interview

As part of your audition you will have a chance to chat with the panel about your journey as a singer so far, your influences and your aspirations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you have about the Vocal Department and life as a student and musician in Birmingham.

Audition requirements for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Woodwind Applicants

Audition:

Undergraduate Woodwind candidates must perform two pieces (or movements) of different styles and periods of their own choice. Candidates will also be asked to play some scales and arpeggios in all major and minor keys and sight read.

Postgraduate Woodwind candidates Please 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.

Interview

As part of your audition there will be an informal 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. If you are an undergraduate applicant, during your interview, as well as a selection of scales, we might ask you to play part of your audition piece(s) again. If you are a postgraduate applicant, we might ask you to play part of your audition piece(s) or orchestral extracts again.

This will be an informal opportunity for us to work together and get to know you better as a musician and performer.

Audition requirements for Postgraduate Theatre Doubling/Multi-instrument Specialism (MMus/PGDip) Applicants

Audition

Candidates are asked to present a programme totalling no more than 15 minutes duration. Repertoire will be welcomed from traditional classical lists but may also reflect the music theatre genre. Candidates will be expected to perform on each of their three chosen instruments and if possible, a piece should be included that demonstrates current doubling abilities.

During the interview, candidates will also be required to perform a varied selection of scales from a recognised Grade VIII (or equivalent) examination syllabus on your primary instrument and scales with up to three sharps and flats on your secondary instruments in a combination of legato, legato tongued and staccato articulations.

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

Interview

As part of your audition there will be an informal 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. If you are an undergraduate applicant, during your interview, as well as a selection of scales, we might ask you to play part of your audition piece(s) again. If you are a postgraduate applicant, we might ask you to play part of your audition piece(s) or orchestral extracts again.

This will be an informal opportunity for us to work together and get to know you better as a musician and performer.

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 2024. 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 2024.

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.