CONDUCTING — postgraduate only

The entrance auditions in orchestral conducting for entry in September 2012 will be held at the Academy on 20th, 21st and 22nd February 2012. The application deadline is 9th January 2012, and normally all candidates are called to audition. Auditions take place in London only.

The audition repertoire requirements are given below. You are welcome to contact the Registry or the department administrator if you have any queries.

Day One: Stage 1, Two Pianos, 09.30-18.30

You will be asked to conduct for up to a maximum of 15 minutes any part (to be selected by the auditioning panel) of Stravinsky’s ‘Dumbarton Oaks’, Beethoven’s Overture ‘Egmont’, and Brahms’ Tragic Overture.

At approximately 6.30pm a list of candidates selected to proceed to the following round will be posted.

A maximum of 12 candidates will be chosen to go forward.

Day 2: Stage 2, Chamber Orchestra, 09.30-13.30

You will be asked to conduct for approximately 10-15 minutes any part of Beethoven’s Symphony No 3 in E flat major Op.55 (ed. Bärenreiter) and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1 in G minor, Op.26 (ed. Kalmus).

At approximately 2.30pm a list of candidates selected to proceed to the following round will be posted. A maximum of six candidates will be chosen to go forward.

Day 2: Stage 3, Viva Voce, 14.30-17.30

The shortlisted candidates will be given a 30-minute viva voce examination on their knowledge of the orchestral repertoire, conducting techniques, musical awareness, keyboard ability and aural perception. The times of this examination will be announced at the time the shortlist is posted. MA and MMus candidates will also be asked to have an interview with one of the postgraduate programme tutors if shortlisted for the final round. The interview may be held on Wednesday afternoon.

Day 3: Stage 4, Symphony Orchestra 09.30-13.30

The candidates shortlisted for Stage 3 will conduct the Academy Symphony Orchestra for approximately 30 minutes at a time to be specified. They must be prepared to conduct and rehearse any part of the following works:

• Brahms Symphony No 2 in D major Op.73 (1st Movement) (ed. Breitkopf)
• Debussy Prélude à l'après-midi d’un faune (complete) (ed. Kalmus)
• Copland Appalachian Spring (Orchestral version) (ed. Boosey & Hawkes)
• Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (1st Movement) (ed. Kalmus)

All candidates will be informed of the result of their examination by post as soon as possible after the auditions.

Master of Music (MMus) applications:

There are specific requirements for written work which must be sent to the Registry to support your application.