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Our audition procedure is designed to enable us to find out about you

We look at how good a performer you are, what sort of a person you are and to assess whether you have the potential to be the sort of musician who will benefit from the approach that we have.

We aim to provide a positive and friendly atmosphere, and we want you to enjoy yourself!

Getting started

As a music conservatoire with international standards, we need to assess your potential to reach a professional performance standard as well as your all-round musical abilities.

But we are also looking for something extra: we are looking for musicians who are open-minded, inquisitive and likely to be receptive to a range of different experiences and opportunities.

Please read carefully the entrance requirements for your course to ensure that you will satisfy these requirements should you be offered a place at the Conservatoire. If you have any concerns or questions relating to the entrance requirements, please ask a steward to direct you to the relevant member of staff during your audition day or contact us directly.

Is Trinity Laban right for me?

In the lead-up to your audition, please remember that auditioning must be a two-way process. While of course we need to make an assessment of your potential to be a successful student at the Conservatoire, it is also important for you to assess us and to find out if Trinity Laban is the right place for you.

We welcome all comments regarding your experience at Trinity Laban and ask that you take a few moments to complete the online feedback forms which will be sent to you after your audition.

There are several important questions that you will need to ask yourself:

  • Will I enjoy being a student at Trinity Laban?
  • Is the course the right one for me in terms of the range of interests, options and opportunities it offers?
  • Is there a good balance between performance and academic work?
  • Is there enough support for my Principal Study?
  • Does the programme of studies and events look interesting?
  • Would I get as many real performance opportunities elsewhere?
  • Will Trinity Laban be interested in me as a person and offer me support and encouragement to achieve my potential?

We are confident that you will find positive answers to all these questions and that Trinity Laban is the Conservatoire that provides unique and exciting opportunities for young musicians.

We hope you will enjoy your day with us and get as much from it as you can. If there is anything you need to know, don’t be afraid to ask. Good luck!

 

Equal Opportunities Policy

Trinity Laban aims to ensure that no one is treated less favourably than another, for example, on the grounds of ethnic origin, nationality, disability, gender, religion, family circumstances or sexual orientation, in any matter relating to studentship. The Conservatoire’s intention is to reflect this not only to the letter but in the spirit of equal opportunities legislation.

 

Non-Attendance

Applicants should note that the audition fee is non-refundable. Applicants who are unable to attend their allocated audition date should contact Admissions immediately. The Conservatoire will endeavour to reschedule auditions where possible but cannot guarantee to do so. The rescheduling of auditions is strictly at the discretion of the Conservatoire and it reserves the right not to do so.

 

Getting Here

The Music Faculty is located in Greenwich. You will want to be relaxed and ready to perform at your best at your audition, so please make sure that your travel arrangements enable you to arrive in good time. It would be best to plan to arrive at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled appointment.

Map of Trinity Laban faculties

Audition schedules are always very tight and late attendance will inevitably cause delays not only for yourself but also for other applicants.

We do realise however that you may experience transport difficulties on the day, which are totally out of your control. If this should happen, please ring the Reception straight away on 020 8305 4444 and explain the situation. We will do everything we can to fit you in.

 

Accompanists

Classical Instrument/Vocal Auditions

An accompanist will be provided for all applicants unless not required. If you are bringing your own accompanist, please email admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk to notify us as soon as possible.

If you are using an accompanist arranged by the Music Faculty, please ensure you bring the piano part for the pieces you have selected on the day of your audition.

Jazz Auditions

For Jazz auditions, a band is provided. Applicants are asked to use the rhythm section in a quartet rather than mock Big Band setting. This band consists of the following, less the applicant’s own instrument:

  • Drum kit
  • Lead instrument (this may be a vocalist)
  • Bass (electric or acoustic)
  • Guitar or Piano

Applicants may not play to a backing track.

Please ensure you bring copies of your music for the rhythm section on the day of your audition.

 

Audition Requirements

Please see here.

 

Additional Audition Information

BMus (including BMus with Integrated Foundation Year)

There will be two examiners present for your performance audition – usually the Head of Department and a specialist in your principal study. If your principal instrument is Percussion & Timpani/Drum Kit there will be three examiners on your audition panel. You may also be asked to work on a particular passage of your piece with the Head of Department. Please note that the audition panel will not stop you whilst you are playing, but in the case of a piece with several movements or sections they may specify that you only play part of the work.

At the end of your audition there will be a short interview when the panel will ask you to talk about your past training, achievements and about your musical aspirations. They will want to try to get to know you better as a person and examine the breadth of your musical understanding. You should come prepared to talk about the music you listen to at home, concerts you have attended, music making opportunities you have had, etc.

A warm-up session is scheduled for you before your audition. Stewards will take you to the relevant rooms during the day.

If your principal study is Composition, then you will be invited to an interview (online or in-person) to discuss your portfolio submission, which must be uploaded to the Embark platform. Please refer to the Recorded Auditions page for more information on submitting via Embark.

All postgraduate programmes

There will be two examiners present for your performance audition – usually your Head of Department, and a specialist in your principal study. The audition will be followed by a short interview, during which you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Conservatoire, your study specialism, or the course itself.

 

International Applicants /English Language Requirements

Please see here for specific requirements for each programme level.

 

 

Offers

We try to ensure that offers of places are made to successful applicants no more than four weeks after the end of the audition session. It is expected that all applicants auditioning in the main audition session will be notified of the result of their audition via UCAS Conservatoires by the end of December. The Conservatoire does not give results by telephone.

Please note that, in common with our fellow conservatoires, reports of auditions are not routinely issued and we are unable to give detailed individual feedback.

You should log in to your UCAS Conservatoire application for up-to-date information on your application status.

Scholarships & Bursaries

  • Scholarships/bursaries are awarded for outstanding performance ability, demonstrated at audition
  • Scholarships/bursaries are also awarded for particular disciplines (e.g. shortage instruments such as bassoon, double bass)

All applicants will automatically be considered for a scholarship at the point of the audition. There is no separate application process for scholarships.

Any applicant who is awarded a scholarship will be notified by email.

Bassoon & Double Bass – Audition Fee Waiver

We are able to offer bassoon applicants an audition free of charge, although the UCAS Conservatoire application fee will still apply. Please see here for more information on applying for an audition fee waiver.

Please contact Admissions for further information if required.