School of Keyboard Studies – Audition Requirements
This is your chance to excel, so it’s good to remember that during this time we’ll be looking for candidates who demonstrate potential and a passion for music.
2025 Entry
All applicants will be invited to a live audition at the RNCM in November or December 2024. In-person applicants (excluding GRNCM applicants and those opting for an overseas audition) are not required to submit a recording prior to their audition, but must still complete an Acceptd application. Overseas applicants who are unable to travel are invited to apply for an online audition.
To qualify for an online audition, you must select ‘Online’ under ‘Audition Location’ on UCAS Conservatoires and submit an audition recording within your Acceptd application. Following the application deadline (2 October 2024), your recording will be pre-screened and if you are shortlisted for an online interview, you will be notified via UCAS Conservatoires.
GRNCM applicants must have submitted an audition recording via Acceptd by Wednesday 2 October. Following this deadline, shortlisted applicants will be invited to a live audition at the RNCM and an interview at the University of Manchester in November or December 2024. Overseas applicants can opt to take their audition and interview online.
BMus applicants are also required to complete an online test as part of the process. This is because academic studies are a key component of your degree and we want to ensure that you’re in a position to thrive from the outset. The multiple choice test isn’t pass or fail, but the results do tell us about your knowledge of music theory, general musicianship and contextual awareness.
Audition requirements are outlined below, but if you require further information, please email [email protected] or call 0161 907 5465/210.
Undergraduate (Piano)
In Person Auditions (Live) and Recorded Auditions (Overseas and GRNCM Applicants)
You should prepare THREE contrasting pieces of your choice lasting about 15 – 20 minutes, ONE of which must be played from memory. The panel will then select pieces to assess at their discretion.
Alongside this, the panel would also like you to answer the following questions. If you are an online or GRNCM auditionee, these can be submitted as a separate video or included within your main audition recording of around 6 minutes in total.
- What did you like about the way you played in your audition and what sort of things do you think you could do better?
- What other pieces have you worked on previously?
- Is there a composer that you particularly like to play? What is it that attracts you to their compositional style?
- Have you had any experience playing piano duets, accompanying someone or playing chamber music?
- What recordings do you like to listen to?
- What do you take into account when considering music from different periods?
If you are attending a live audition at the RNCM, you will be required to play some sight-reading which will be given to you on the audition day.
Online Interviews (Overseas Applicants)
If your audition recording is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a live online interview via Zoom.
Interviews will give the panel an opportunity to learn a little more about you and your future aspirations, and for you to ask any questions you might have about studying with us. You will also be given a quick study to perform, which will be given to you prior to the audition via email.
Undergraduate (Harpsichord)
In Person Auditions (Live) and Recorded Auditions (Overseas Applicants)
You should prepare THREE contrasting pieces of your choice lasting about 15 – 20 minutes. One of these pieces may be a continuo part, played from a realised or unrealised bass part, with or without melody line(s). The panel will then select pieces to assess at their discretion.
Alongside this, the panel would also like you to answer the following questions. If you are an online auditionee, these can be submitted as a separate video or included within your main audition recording of around 6 minutes in total.
- What did you like about the way you played in your audition and what sort of things do you think you could do better?
- What other pieces have you worked on previously?
- Is there a composer that you particularly like to play? What is it that attracts you to their compositional style?
- Have you had any experience of playing continuo with groups? What kind of a part did you play from?
- What recordings do you like to listen to?
- Do you like playing music ‘by ear’? Are you able to play music that you know well in different keys?
Online Interviews (Overseas Applicants)
If your audition recording is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a live online interview via Zoom.
Interviews will give the panel an opportunity to learn a little more about you and your future aspirations, and for you to ask any questions you might have about studying with us. No additional performance is required.
Postgraduate (Piano)
In Person Auditions (Live) and Recorded Auditions (Overseas Applicants)
Solo Piano Performance
Please prepare 40 MINUTES of repertoire by way of a contrasting programme. The panel will choose approximately 15 minutes from this repertoire.
Please note that the programme should be played from memory, except for contemporary repertoire at the candidate’s choosing, and should be recorded in one take if possible.
Alongside this, the panel would also like you to answer the following questions. If you are an online auditionee, these can be submitted as a separate video or included within your main audition recording of around 6 minutes in total.
- What did you like about the way you played in your audition and what sort of things do you think you could do better?
- What other pieces have you worked on previously?
- Is there a composer that you particularly like to play? What is it that attracts you to their compositional style?
- Have you had any experience playing piano duets, accompanying someone or playing chamber music?
- What recordings do you like to listen to?
- What do you take into account when considering music from different periods?
If you are attending a live audition at the RNCM, you will be required to play some sight-reading which will be given to you on the audition day.
Piano Accompaniment
Please prepare ONE duo sonata movement, ONE song/aria and ONE solo piano piece (the solo piano piece should not exceed 5 minutes)
Alongside this, the panel would also like you to answer the following questions. If you are an online auditionee, these can be submitted as a separate video or included within your main audition recording.
- What did you like about the way you played in your audition and what sort of things do you think you could do better?
- What other pieces have you worked on previously?
- Is there a composer that you particularly like to play? What is it that attracts you to their compositional style?
- Have you had any experience playing piano duets, accompanying someone or playing chamber music?
- What recordings do you like to listen to?
- What do you take into account when considering music from different periods?
Online Interviews (Overseas Applicants)
Solo Piano Performance and Piano Accompaniment
If your audition recording is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a live online interview via Zoom.
Interviews will give the panel an opportunity to learn a little more about you and your future aspirations, and for you to ask any questions you might have about studying with us. For solo piano performance, you will also be given a quick study to perform, which will be given to you prior to the audition via email.
