Overview
This is for gap-year students preparing for an Oxbridge organ scholarship, or for those who wish to develop organ/choral direction skills before formal university or conservatoire training.
This is for you if you would like to receive Academy training but do not require a full programme of study that leads to a degree. Organ Foundation students are considered as fully-enrolled members of the Academy’s student body, and have equal access to the Academy’s resources (library, computers, practice rooms etc).
The course principles are:
- To enable students to benefit from one year of conservatoire education
- To provide a tailor-made course of study according to the strengths and needs of each individual student
- To offer the same performance opportunities provided for degree students (with the approval of the BMus Year Tutor and Head of Programme)
- To offer appropriate academic subjects in consultation with the Academic Tutor and Head of Programme
- To assess practical and/or academic progress by examination
- To provide a transcript of studies showing completed modules (but no degree, diploma or other award)
Entry Requirements
- Performance/Composition: High standard of performing potential or composition, strong musicianship, and good aural skills.
- Music Exams: Formal exams are not required, but successful performers are typically at a Grade 8 Distinction level or higher.
- Music Theory: Grade 6 level knowledge is recommended before starting if you aren't taking school music exams.
- Keyboard Skills: No formal minimum required (unless it's your Principal Study), though Grade 5 piano is desirable to support general musicianship.
See Entry Requirements for full academic and international criteria.
Auditions
We treat your audition as a friendly, supportive showcase rather than a strict examination. Our panel wants to see your baseline technical foundation, musical curiosity, and potential for growth over this transformative year. Relax, enjoy playing our instruments, and let us see your genuine passion for the organ.
Your Audition Repertoire
Organ Foundation Year applicants must prepare a specific combination of a set J.S. Bach piece, a free-choice selection, and a practical quick study test.
1. The Set Piece
- J.S. Bach:Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, BWV 605.
2. Free-Choice Repertoire
- A selection of piece(s) of your own choice.
- Duration: The total performance time of your free-choice selection must not exceed 10 minutes.
3. Quick Study / Sight-Reading
- During your live audition, you will be given a short sight-reading piece or quick study test to assess your real-time note-reading, coordination, and adaptability at the console.
What to Expect on Audition Day
Console Rehearsal & Audition Timings (Live in London)
Live Foundation auditions last 30 minutes. Because time is limited, the panel may occasionally interrupt you before you finish a piece—this is standard procedure to ensure they hear a balanced overview of both your set piece and free-choice repertoire.
- Dedicated Practice Time: You will be allocated a 45-minute rehearsal block at the organ console earlier on your audition date to set your registrations and become comfortable with the instrument.
Academic Interview & Aural Skills Assessment
All Foundation Year applicants participate in an interview with a member of our academic staff. This is a relaxed conversation to discuss your goals for the foundation year, your musical tastes, and your long-term aspirations.
During the interview, you will discuss a short extract of music and complete an Aural Skills Assessment consisting of:
- Sight-singing a short test melody.
- Singing the middle notes in a played chord.
- Identification of musical intervals.
- Sight-reading of rhythms.
- Simultaneous polyrhythms: Sight-reading two different rhythms at the same time (singing one rhythm while clapping the other simultaneously).
Please note: Specimen tests are not issued in advance.
For more information see auditions.