Advice for Music Auditions in the UK

Applying and auditioning for music colleges can be a stressful experience for any young musician. Here are a few key things that I learned were vital and I hope help any of you applying!

APPLYING:

In the UK, there are many different colleges that one can apply to. Nowadays there is an incredibly useful site called CUKAS (http://www.cukas.ac.uk/). On this site you are asked to type your details into certain sections that are all clearly mapped out (from things like GCSE and A level qualifications to personal details and referees etc.). The main parts of your CUKAS application are the "choices" section and the "personal statement" section. In the choices section you simply click the music Conservatoires you wish to apply to and the course (i.e. if you are doing an undergraduate performance degree you most likely click BMus (Hons)). In the personal statement section you are asked to type a maximum 4000 characters (with spaces). In this your are asked to  highlight your inspirations, your achievements and experiences as a musician, aspirations for the future and any other keen interests you may have. Once you are happy with your application you click "pay and send" and then all of the colleges listed on CUKAS will receive your application. Keep checking on the "track progress" tab to see whether the colleges have updated your profile with audition dates and times. Eventually after your auditions (usual around a week after) the colleges update the offer section with either "guaranteed conditional", "declined" or "reserve" if you are placed on the reserve list. However there are two colleges that aren't part of the CUKAS process - Guildhall (GSMD) and the Royal Academy in London (RAM). For these you have to fill out individual applications available from their websites and fill out different requirements for the personal statement sections. (www.gsmd.ac.uk/school/how_to_apply/apply.html) or (www.ram.ac.uk/study/howtoapply/Pages/Default.aspx).

BEFORE THE AUDITION:

Before the audition it is vital to choose 2 to 4 pieces depending on requirements of repertoire so you don't find yourself overstretched. Look into each college's requirements of set works etc. and also read up on the structure of the day. For example with flute auditions, the RAM and GSMD have massively varied audition processes (whilst the RAM has interviews and aural tests the GSMD have a unique masterclass scenario). For flute you could be expected to play certain set repertoire for example: "Fantasie" by Gabriel Faure for the Royal College and "Danse de la Chevre" by A. Honneger and  "Study No.7" by D. Bourgeois for Guildhall. If you choose a difficult piece with a difficult piano accompaniment it is advised that you ring the college in advance to inform the pianist or else hire a pianist privately. Choosing the right repertoire is vital and should be discussed with your teacher and performed as much as you can before the audition so that you feel totally comfortable with it on the day. This will really help lessen the nerves! Use the time you are allowed to play wisely and try to vary the programme with regards to tempi of pieces, the styles and periods they're from and generally choose pieces that you think show you off best (dynamic contrasts, varieties of articulation, technical passages, legato phrases, melodies etc.). Most importantly however is choose pieces that you love to play and really portrays you well as a person and as a musician.

THE DAY OF THE AUDITION:

When the day comes for any of your auditions, make sure you arrive at your Conservatoire well in advance of your audition and if your audition is early in the morning I found it more beneficial to stay overnight so as to get a good night sleep in preparation. All colleges have different ways to manage the auditions but they are all very friendly and make you feel at ease; stewards take you to warm up rooms and inform you what you need to do so there is no need to panic about "what do i need to do when I get there!" - something that I definitely worried about! Eventually when it is your time for your warm-up you will go to an allocated room and rehearse for around 20 minutes with the accompanist. Use this time wisely and rehearse all tempo changes and anything you feel a little anxious about. When you go into the audition room remember to smile and introduce yourself as the panel will be seeing many candidates throughout the day. Remember from this point on the hard work has been done - getting to the venue, rehearsing etc. so just enjoy it and take it as a chance to play to such inspiring artists rather than auditioning for them! After you have played (depending on the college) you may be asked to wait for a notice to go up regarding 2nd rounds/interviews/scholarship rounds etc. or they may tell you there and then - it really depends. Most, if not all, colleges require a short test of scales and sight reading (sometimes unaccompanied and sometimes with piano). Some colleges may even ask for improvisation or transposition. Following this, the panel will have a short interview with you where they will basically ask you very informal questions about you and your musical life so far. They may also ask you questions about what you have written in your personal statement. The Royal Academy requires a piano test, a written exam and some aural tests (such as sight singing, score reading, transposing and rhythmic tests) but don't be phased because these are just to see how much academic training you have had for set allocations if you enrol there the following year. One other unique thing to be aware of is the Guildhall method of the "masterclass" round whereby in your second round you play your non set work with an accompanist to the panel of judges in front of a class of 6 or so other applicants (obviously this may not be the case for all instruments but certainly is the case for the flute). This isn't as intimidating as it sounds but more a chance to relax and to work on your chosen repertoire with one of the 3 teachers from the Guildhall. Remember that colleges don't just look for polished performances but also potential as you will be pursuing a 4 year undergraduate course with them.

Something that can sometimes worry applicants is "What do i say in the interviews!?". Just try and be as honest and as natural as you can and maybe treat it like a chat rather than an interview. However here are a few tips on what could be asked and possible responses in an interview procedure:

• You may be asked the question "Where is your first choice?" : - In this situation, I would advise you to be honest and generally keeping your options open is the best response as you cannot really have a 100% first choice in college until you have all of your offers on the table. It may be a cliche response but it is possible the most respectful response.
• Another question that may be asked is "Why choose our Conservatoire?" : - In response to this question I would advise to research each of your college choices so that you know what each one of them offers and why that appeals to you, i.e. the links between the Guildhall and the Barbican and the Royal Academy and the London Symphony Orchestra Scheme for example. This also links in with the renowned question - "which teacher would you like?". Again, do your research and try and think about a few who you think you would suit. It is definitely beneficial to also arrange consultation lessons with as many artists as you can before your auditions.
• They may well ask you about things written in your personal statement so make sure what you write is the truth!
• You may be asked what offers you have already received with regards to scholarships and places :- in this case just be honest and let them know.

RESULTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

After your auditions as I mentioned earlier results will go on CUKAS as well as being posted to your registered address. Scholarship letters will be sent and they will state on them whether you have been successful (following your performance in your scholarship audition) they will state exactly how much money, the terms and conditions of receiving this and so on. From the colleges where you have been successful, there will most likely be an acceptance/rejection letter and possibly even application forms for grants and student accomodation within their posted pack. You can also accept and decline via CUKAS but again RAM and GSMD aren't accessible on that site so the form is a crucial thing to return. In choosing your college, remember to pick the one where you felt the most comfortable at both the audition and the open day, the one which seemed to give you the best vibes and also the one where you undoubtedly could envisage yourself. Once you have chosen your college and accepted it you will receive further enrolment correspondance and from there on in you are off to that music college!

I hope you have found this useful and good luck to all of you applying to music college or indeed university and try and enjoy yourselves.

Josh :-)