Music Auditions

We encourage you to audition in person where possible. Prior to audition, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires. Once you’ve submitted your application, our Admissions team will be in touch with further information – please regularly check your emails, including your Spam and Junk folders. Correspondence will only be sent to the email address listed on your UCAS Conservatoires application form. All live auditions will be held in London at King Charles Court from mid-November to mid-December. We will endeavour to schedule your audition as soon as possible and will update you with your audition date and time via UCAS Conservatoires and email. If you have extenuating circumstances which mean you cannot make your audition date / time, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing the Admissions team and we will do our best to reschedule your audition. 

• All auditions will include a short discussion with the panel 

• There is no dress code for auditions 

• Where applicable an accompanist will be provided for you, and you will have a rehearsal time of around 10 minutes with the accompanist prior to your audition. If you are bringing your own accompanist, please let Admissions know as soon as possible on the email below. You must bring copies of your music for the accompanist 

• If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact StudentServicesEnquiries@trinitylaban.ac.uk 

• Auditions do not include a written paper 

Applicants should be aware that most places are awarded during the main audition session, held from November to December.

However, Trinity Laban can offer some late auditions. Applicants must check the availability of places with Admissions (admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk) prior to submitting an application via UCAS Conservatoires.

Late applicants will only be offered a late audition if there are places available on the course for their principal study following the main audition session. It is therefore strongly recommended that applicants submit their application for the main audition session if possible. We are unable to confirm late audition availability until late February.

Please note that it may not always be possible to give late applicants more than two weeks’ notice of their audition date. In addition, there is very little flexibility in the late audition session so applicants are asked to inform Admissions as soon as they know of any dates when they will be unavailable for audition.

It may be necessary to alter the composition panel during late auditions. For example, rather than an instrument specialist, there may be a Faculty of Music staff member from another department.

Trinity Laban does not charge an additional fee for late applications, although please note audition fees are non-refundable.

If you are based overseas or if it is difficult for you to travel to Trinity Laban, you can opt to submit a recorded audition instead when applying via UCAS Conservatoires. Exchange applicants should complete the required form available from the International Office at their Home institution.

Please contact admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk if you have any queries. Prior to submitting a recorded audition, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires. Recordings will not be considered until a UCAS Conservatoires application has been submitted. When asked on UCAS Conservatoires where you wish to audition, simply click ‘recorded audition’ or ‘online’.

There should be two elements to your recording: a speech and a performance (except for composition applicants who are also required to submit a portfolio, please see below). You must submit a video recording of both your introduction speech and performance.

We do not require high production recordings, normally a recording on a phone or digital camera will suffice, but please check that the audio and video quality is clear before submitting your auditions. We recommend sourcing a live accompanist if possible. However, we accept pre-recorded backing tracks and unaccompanied recordings. If you are playing with others, please make it clear who you are in the recording. Audio-only files / links will not be accepted. Only applicants for the Composition department, or applicants applying to study Music Production in the Popular Music department, may submit audio-only files as part of their portfolios.

There is no dress code for recorded auditions.

For your introduction speech, you should record a passage of yourself speaking in English; this should be a maximum of three minutes. You should:

• introduce yourself by name
• talk about your musical background and the training you have had so far
• talk about your musical ambitions and your reasons for applying for the course.

For the performance, you should record two to three works (or extracts) – further information on requirements for specific instruments is below. Please note that the panel will wish to have some idea of the range of your ability, so you should aim to provide works that demonstrate contrasting musical styles and instrumental/vocal technique.

Submitting your audition on Embark

You must submit your audition via our Embark platform. To submit a recorded audition, you will first need to create an account before submitting your recordings or composition portfolio. For step-by-step guidance on submitting your recorded auditions, watch our Embark tutorial.

You can submit multiple files to Embark. Please submit your videos separately and name each video file: e.g., ‘1. Speech’ / ‘2. Debussy – Clair de Lune’ etc. If you have any issues with uploading your files, you can also upload your files to a video sharing website (such as YouTube or Vimeo – please ensure you include the password, if required, as well as the link), and paste the links into a Word or PDF document to upload into the Additional Documents section. The document should be titled ‘Link to Audition’.

You do not need to submit materials for every section. At the application stage, it is optional to upload your academic qualifications / English Language qualifications (applicable only to applicants for whom English is not their first language) / ID. Many applicants will not yet have completed their academic qualifications at the point of application. Such documentation will only be requested in the event that you are offered a place. Please do not send any academic / English Language documentation to the Admissions team until requested to do so.

Please note, if the performance on the recording is found not to be your own, the place will be withdrawn immediately, and no audition fees will be refunded.

Disclaimer

Please note that upon uploading your recording, portfolio and supplementary materials on Embark, you are giving Trinity Laban the permission to also upload a copy of your UCAS Conservatoires application and any references received onto Embark for the sake of assessing your UCAS Conservatoires application and your Embark application simultaneously.

If you have any questions, please contact: admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk.  

Detailed information on 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 courses

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.

BA (Hons) Music Performance and Industry

Auditions must be uploaded online and applicants subsequently invited for interview may attend either online or in-person at King Charles Court. There are no live auditions. If you are invited for interview and cannot attend in-person, please do not worry. You will have plenty of opportunities to visit Trinity Laban at Open Days and other events throughout the year.

There are two audition sessions for this course, however applicants may apply to one audition session only. The reason we have two audition sessions is to encourage and facilitate applications from overseas.

If you wish to apply in the winter audition period and receive a result before Christmas, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires by the 2 October 2024 and submit your recorded audition to our Embark platform by the 4 November 2024.

If you wish to apply in the spring audition period, you must apply via UCAS Conservatoires by the 29 January 2025 and submit your recorded audition to our Embark platform by the 10 February 2025.

If you are also applying for other Music courses at Trinity Laban, please see our Key Dates above to see how the BAMPI application timeline runs alongside other Music application deadlines.

There are three stages to the applications process: 

1. Apply via UCAS Conservatoires 

2. Upload three videos to our Embark platform 

• Something new – a video of you performing a piece of original music (3 minutes). This could be a song or an instrumental piece you have written. You can perform this work solo or with others or use a backing track. Please note that we are not looking for professionally produced video content – we are interested in seeing you do your thing. 

• An existing work – a video of you performing a piece of music written by somebody else (3-minutes). We would like to hear you perform a work that has inspired or influenced you in some way. This can be anything in any genre, and we encourage you to choose a work that best demonstrates your creative abilities and range. You may perform this work solo, with others or with a backing track. 

• A video introduction of you speaking (2-3 minutes). Let us know your name and your discipline, and the music that you are into. Tell us your musical story and what makes you tick. We are interested in your ability to collaborate and your creative vision. What are your career aims, and what are you looking to get from the BA in Music Performance and Industry? There is no right and wrong for this but show us yourself in your best light. The BA in Music Performance and Industry is taught in English, so your speech should be in English. 

3.   Interview (online or in person) 

• If you are shortlisted, you will be invited for a 25-minute interview. The interview will be an opportunity for you to discuss the course with the course team. We will ask you about your interests, aspirations, and areas of your creative practice you would like to develop. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the course. As part of the interview, there will be a short musicianship assessment designed to establish your understanding of musical language. This assessment will encompass elements of rhythm, harmony and listening skills and might include interval and chord recognition, rhythmic exercises and a discussion in response to a piece of music.

• Producers – as part of the interview we will discuss your creative and technical processes. 

The three videos should be uploaded as individual files in the following formats: mp4, .mov, .wmv. Please keep your tracks to three minutes in length. We are not looking for a professionally produced video. However, please refer to our audiovisual guide to show yourself in the best light.

We recommend that you present two contrasting pieces for the video audition submission. You should show us your best technique, creative flair and originality. If one piece has complex harmony and is very technical, the other work might be simple but have a clear message or a fantastic groove. 

On the course, we celebrate all types of popular music and welcome musicians who play everything from Hip Hop to Soul, Folk, singer-songwriter and the most contemporary styles. We value versatility and open-mindedness. 

You can provide links to supplementary materials (live performance, other releases, social media) in the personal statement of your main UCAS Conservatoires application and refer to them in the spoken video. 

MA Music Education and Performance

There are two stages to the application for this programme.

Stage One

Applicants will first have their instrumental or vocal skills assessed via audition. Applicants must follow the audition requirements for their specific instrument / voice as detailed above.

Applicants may submit a recorded audition or choose to have an in-person audition at King Charles Court (applicants may choose ‘recording’ or ‘institution’ when submitting their UCAS Conservatoires application).

If your performance audition is successful, you will subsequently be invited for an interview with the Head of Music Education. Successful applicants will be emailed with an invitation.

Stage Two

A written paper will be sent to you 24 hours prior to your interview, and should be completed and returned at least one hour before the interview. The written paper should take you about an hour to complete. Further information will be provided with the paper via email.

All interviews are online. Part of the interview will be spent discussing your response to the written paper, and part will be spent discussing your background in music, in addition to why you want to study music education.

If you do not have a first degree and need to be assessed under the ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ (RPL) process then this will also take place in the interview.

MA Music Education

Admission to the course is assessed through your UCAS Conservatoires application, written paper, and interview, which will include an informal assessment of your performance skills.

Academic entry requirements for this programme can be found on the course webpage.

A written paper will be sent to you 24 hours before the interview, and should be completed and returned at least one hour before the interview. The written paper should take you about an hour to complete. Further information will be provided with the paper via email.

All interviews are online. Part of the interview will be spent discussing your response to the written paper, and part will be spent discussing your background in music, in addition to why you want to study music education. If you do not have a first degree and need to be assessed under the ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ (RPL) process then this will also take place in the interview.

MEd Music Education (Online only)

Admission to the programme is assessed through your UCAS Conservatoires application. There is no formal audition or interview.

Academic entry requirements for this course can be found on the programme webpage.

Collaborative Piano Performance (Keyboard Department)

The panel prefer to hear chamber music for piano with other instruments (duos, trios, quartets etc.) and also collaboration with a singer.

If you don’t have partners, we can provide an instrumentalist / singer for you; please confirm your requirement with us at least three weeks in advance of your audition date.

If you are applying for the collaborative piano programme, you will not need to present a solo piece. You will need to prepare up to three contrasting pieces for your audition. The panel will typically hear 15-20 minutes of a much longer programme.

Percussion & Drum Kit / Timpani (Wind, Brass & Percussion Department)

Please refer to this PDF.

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.

Jazz Vocalists: please note that microphones will not be provided. If you require a microphone, please bring your own.

Jazz Drummers should bring their own cymbals and clutch.

Single Reed Theatre Doubling (Wind, Brass & Percussion Department)

1. Present items on both saxophone and clarinet at a standard appropriate to postgraduate study, and normally show some ability on flute.
2. Pieces performed on both instruments must have a piano accompaniment.
3. Sight-reading for both instruments.
4. Scales for both instruments.
5. Clarinet transposition.
6. Interview.

The on-time deadline for UCAS Conservatoires Music applications is 2 October 2024, with the exception of the Study Abroad Programme and BA Music Performance and Industry (spring audition = 29 January 2025). You can find information for how to apply on UCAS Conservatoires here.

For the following courses, the on-time deadline for UCAS Conservatoire applications is the 29 January 2025.

Key application dates for 2025 entry

2 October 2024: UCAS Conservatoires deadline for submission of on-time applications for all Classical music disciplines, Jazz, Composition, MA in Music Education & Performance, BA (Hons) Music Performance & Industry (for the November audition submission deadline – see below). You will be contacted in October with further information regarding your audition. Please keep in mind that it takes time for applications to be processed and auditions to be scheduled; all applicants will have at least 3 weeks’ notice prior to their audition.

25 October 2024: Deadline for receiving recorded auditions, including composition portfolios, for on-time applications to our online platform – Embark. Please note that you may email Admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk after this date to enquire whether it is still possible to submit a late recorded audition, however an audition result may not be available until early 2025.

4 November 2024: Online submission deadline for BA Music Performance and Industry programme via Embark – applicants who apply by this deadline will receive their audition result by Christmas. There are no live auditions for this programme.

Mid-November – Mid-December 2024: Main live auditions period (13 November – 13 December). Applicants will be sent an audition invitation via email, at least three weeks in advance of their audition date. We are unable to tailor audition dates/times to individual applicants, so we kindly request that you do not email requesting specific dates/times.

29 January 2025: UCAS Conservatoires deadline for applying for the following Music Faculty programmes, as well as for those applying for a late audition for any other course:

• Study Abroad Programme
• MA in Music Education
• MEd in Music Education
• BA (Hons) Music Performance and Industry – applicants applying for the spring audition period only.

February – March 2025: Late Music auditions (applicants must email Admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk to enquire whether there are still places available before applying via UCAS Conservatoires).

10 February 2025: Spring online submission deadline for BA Music Performance and Industry programme via Embark. Applicants must have applied via UCAS Conservatoires by the 29th of January 2025 deadline.

1 May 2025: Deadline for mobility exchange applications

25 August 2025: Deadline for submission of on-time applications for: Creative Music Making. Closing time is 18.00 GMT.

September 2025: Induction week for new students.

Our Music building 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 realise 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. For directions to King Charles Court, please visit our Find Us page.

Consultation Lessons are available in person or online.

A Consultation lesson is a one-on-one discussion between a prospective student and professor to assess suitability for conservatoire education. It can also be used as one of the following:

• as a mock / advice audition
• to help those who have accepted places choose which teacher they would like to study with.

The conservatoire arranges consultation lessons with its professorial staff at a cost of £72 for an hour.

To make a payment for a consultation lesson, please go to our online shop.

Arranging consultation lessons is dependent on the availability of professorial staff. As such, it is often not possible, or takes significantly longer, to arrange consultation lessons outside of term time.

Please could you state your instrument and which Professor you would like to have your Consultation Lesson with.

Please see link to our Teaching Staff.

For further information, please contact admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)20 8305 4403

• 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.

Audition Fee Waiver

Audition fee waivers for applicants from low-income backgrounds. 

Junior Trinity

Audition fees are waived for income-related bursary holders applying from Junior Trinity.

Free School Meals

If you have receive means-tested Free School Meals (FSM), you will be eligible for a waiver for both the UCAS Conservatoires application fee and the Trinity Laban audition fee (if applicable). Make sure you choose the option to indicate this in your UCAS Conservatoires application. UCAS will then send an email to you to explain how to submit your application form without being charged.

Applicants From Low-Income Backgrounds

The conservatoire will also consider offering free audition / interview places to Music and Musical Theatre programme applicants from low-income backgrounds who may not otherwise be able to make an application.

Interested applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• Current UK Resident

The applicant must also be in receipt of one or more of the following:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax support (not just the single person reduction)
• Income-based Employment Support Allowance
• Personal Independence Payments (PIPs)
• Pension credit (guaranteed element only) with an award notice showing annual gross household income of less than £25,000
• Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or Universal credit with an award notice showing annual gross household income of less than £25,000
• Full-time carers allowance
• The applicant is under 18 and in residential or foster care
• For undergraduate studies only, the above can be considered for the household where the applicant has permanent residence. For all other programmes the criteria will need to apply to the applicant.

To qualify, please provide evidence to the Admissions Team (admissions@trinitylaban.ac.uk).

We are able to offer bassoon applicants an audition free of charge, although the UCAS Conservatoire application fee will still apply.

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.

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.

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.