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.
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 Auditions
If you require the Music Faculty to provide an accompanist for your audition, please reply to the email we sent you containing your audition timetable detailing the names of the pieces you will be playing. Alternatively, you can notify Admissions
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 reply to the email we sent you containing your audition timetable detailing the standards you will be playing. Please ensure you bring the music parts for the rhythm section for the standards you have selected on the day of your audition.
Audition Requirements
Read the audition requirements.
Additional Audition Information
BMus
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.
If your principal study is Composition, the audition will take the form of a discussion about your portfolio, which should be submitted online no later than 2 weeks prior to your audition.
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.
Details of the locations of your various sessions are shown on your audition timetable and a warm-up session is scheduled for you before the practical examination. Stewards will take you to the relevant rooms during the day.
Foundation Certificate: Music / International Foundation Certificate: Music & English
Trinity Laban places greater emphasis on its own audition and tests than on formal qualifcations. As a guide, the minimum standard for Principal Study will be the same as required by the Conservatoire for entry to full-time Undergraduate (BMus) study. Graduates of other disciplines and applicants with relevant uncertifed prior learning may also apply. The Conservatoire will determine academic module choices for these applicants. Applicants wishing to transfer onto, or gain credits towards degree courses at Trinity Laban or other institutions should be aware of the entry requirements of the courses they intend to apply for.
Applicants for Foundation Certificate: Music or the International Foundation Certificate: Music & English should refer to the audition requirements for BMus as a guide.
MMus/MAMEP
There will be two examiners present for your performance audition – usually your Head of Department, and a specialist in your principal study. You must prepare a contrasting and suitably demanding programme of not more than 20 minutes duration, unless your principal study is Composition, in which case the audition will be a discussion of your portfolio. The audition will be followed by an academic interview centring on performance issues raised by your audition programme and academic submission, and will also establish ideas you may have had for the academic components of the MMus course. The interview panel will also offer the opportunity to ask questions about the Conservatoire, your study specialism or the course itself.
Applicants will also be required to take a 30-minute written test, to include brief analysis of a number of extracts, and either a short critical commentary on a piece of prose or a review of a concert they have recently attended.
Classical Voice
Following a review of our processes, voice auditions will take the same format as other classical instruments and will not take the form of rounds. There will be one 20-minute audition and you will be required to complete a written paper as detailed under Audition Requirements (written papers apply to BMus and Master’s applicants only).
All applicants should note that the Conservatoire will not consider applications for deferred entry.
International Applicants /English Language Requirements
For International Foundation Certificate: Music & English we normally require CEFR B1 (ISE – Integrated Skills in English B1 or IELTS for UKVI B1) IELTS score 4.5.
International applicants to Undergraduate and Pre-Degree programmes will be required to provide evidence of a sufficient grasp of English to cope with the academic demands of their course and should normally have attained an IELTS (General or Academic Training) minimum 5.5 in all four areas; or B2 First (Cambridge English) minimum 160 in all four areas; or Trinity College London – Integrated Skills in English level II or above.
For Masters programmes we require 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all 4 areas. All international applicants who are accepted onto a course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance will be required to provide evidence of their English language qualification. Those who are unable to provide evidence of their qualification will be required to complete an English Language assessment prior to enrolment. It is a condition of all international applicants offers that they fulfil these requirements. The results of the English Language assessment will be used to determine if applicants will be required to attend an English language support classes and may also affect a Tier 4 (General) Student visa application. More information can be found at gov.uk.
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 in December. The Conservatoire will not be in a position to give you your 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 login to your UCAS Conservatoire application for up-to-date information.
Scholarships & Bursaries
Scholarships
- Scholarships are awarded for outstanding performance ability, demonstrated at audition
- Scholarships are also awarded for particular disciplines (e.g. shortage instruments)
Applicants will automatically be considered for a scholarship at the time of the audition. Information about additional Trinity Laban scholarship opportunities for which you are eligible will be sent to you following your acceptance of a place. You should be aware that the majority of scholarships are awarded to postgraduate students. Applications for postgraduate scholarships will only be accepted from students who have accepted an offer.
Bassoon & Double Bass Scholarships
We are able to offer bassoon applicants an audition free of charge, although the UCAS Conservatoire fee for application will still apply.
Scholarships are available for applicants applying to study Bassoon or Double Bass at the Conservatoire. Please contact Admissions for further information.