These requirements are for students auditioning to start their studies at the Academy in September 2012. Until specified otherwise, these requirements also apply for auditions in future years. Some audition requirements may change: please check back here regularly. You are welcome to contact the Registry or the department administrator if you have any queries. The closing date for receipt of applications is in our ‘Key Dates’ list.

The precise format for auditions will be different according to your Principal Study. In most cases auditions will last from 20 to 30 minutes. As time is limited for some auditions, you may be interrupted before you have performed a complete piece.

Audition requirements

Organ: all candidates

All organ auditions will take place in St Marylebone Parish Church. You will be allocated two memory channels (= 16 generals). Full details (Acrobat PDF file) are available here. You may be asked to play scales, arpeggios, etc to ABRSM Grade 8 standard. You may also be given sight reading or quick study tests.

Organ Foundation

  • Three contrasting pieces of your own choice, (not exceeding 15 minutes).
  • Sight-reading / quick study test.

Organ: Undergraduates (NEW REQUIREMENTS AS OF APRIL 2012)

  • J.S.Bach: Dies sind die heilgen zehn Gebot BWV 678
  • Plus a free-choice work(s) not exceeding 10’

Organ: Postgraduates (NEW REQUIREMENTS AS OF APRIL 2012)

  • J.S.Bach: Either Prelude & Fugue in G BWV 541 or Prelude & Fugue in G BWV 550
  • Plus a free-choice work(s) not exceeding 15’

If you are auditioning to become an undergraduate:

1. Musicianship and keyboard skills tests may be required.

These normally are a set of tests of increasing difficulty. The Academy regrets that it cannot issue specimen tests.

2. Written paper for undergraduates (BMus, Year-In, Organ Foundation)

You will be required to take a 50-minute written paper which comprises harmonisation of a simple melody and a choice of short essay questions of a general musical nature. You will be permitted to use a dictionary. Sorry, we cannot issue specimen papers.

Master of Music (MMus) applications:

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