School of Vocal Studies and Opera – Audition Requirements
You may already demonstrate a high level of technical proficiency, musicality, confidence and communication in your performance, but at audition we’re also looking for singers and repetiteurs with natural talent, curiosity and a desire to train to be a professional.
For 2023 entry, undergraduates and postgraduates are required to submit their Stage 1 recorded audition via Acceptd. If successful at Stage 1, you may be invited to share more of your personality and discuss your current work and future aspirations via an additional performance and/or interview. You can choose to attend Stage 2 in person at the RNCM, but online options are also available for anyone who would prefer not to travel.
BMus applicants are also required to complete an online test as part of the process. This is because academic studies is 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.
Current RNCM students are not required to submit a Stage 1 audition video. Instead, they must submit their most recent Recital Mark Sheet via Acceptd. Current Postgraduate RNCM students can submit a recent recital video if they do not hold an RNCM Recital Mark Sheet.
Full audition requirements are outlined below, but if you’ve any queries please email [email protected] or call 0161 907 5465.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Singers
Stage 1 (Recorded)
Please select THREE pieces of your own choice totalling no more than 12 minutes, contrasting in period and style to be sung from memory. Please introduce each piece by giving only the title and composer. (Please also list your three pieces in your Acceptd application.)
You must also prepare and present a short spoken passage in English which can be either prose or poetry, or, indeed, an extract from a newspaper article. This is to assess your spoken voice, to see whether you are aware of pitch, pace, energy, resonance and so on. You do not need to perform this from memory.
Your submission should also include a two-minute introduction (either as a separate video or as part of your main audition recording), outlining who you are, why you would like to study with us, and a little about the repertoire you’re playing.
Stage 2 (In Person or Online)
Successful Stage 1 applicants will be invited to undertake a live audition at the RNCM. Please choose two pieces, lasting no longer than 10 minutes combined, that you think best demonstrate your skills and ability.
This Stage will also include an interview, where the panel would like to learn a little more about you and your future aspirations.
If travel isn’t possible, you can opt to complete Stage 2 online, via Zoom.
Repetiteurs (Postgraduate only)
Stage 1 (Recorded)
Please prepare, of your own choice, ONE piano solo (five minutes maximum) from the Early Romantic or Romantic period, and TWO operatic excerpts (10 minutes maximum) containing more than one character (sing in vocal parts optional).
Your submission should also include a two-minute introduction (either as a separate video or as part of your main audition recording), outlining who you are, why you would like to study with us, and a little about the repertoire you’re playing.
Stage 2 (In Person or Online)
Successful Stage 1 applicants will be invited to undertake a live audition at the RNCM. Please choose:
ONE piano solo of your own choice (ideally from the romantic period, lasting no longer than five minutes)
TWO contrasting operatic scenes of your own choice (ideally ensemble scenes or scenes which involve multiple characters, last no longer than 10 minutes in total). Please note that you are not required to sing in the vocal parts).
During the audition, you will also be asked to complete a sight-reading task and undertake a short interview.
If travel isn’t possible, you can opt to complete Stage 2 online, via Zoom.
