Overview
Gap year 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).
This course is for you if you are about to complete your secondary school (High School) studies and either wish to spend a year at the Academy before taking up a full-time undergraduate programme of study at another institution, or if you would like to receive Academy training but do not require a full programme of study that leads to a degree.
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 Academic 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 or other award)
Please note that this course is not eligible for a UK Student Route visa.
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 want you to view your audition as a showcase performance rather than a rigid test. Our expert panel is looking for your rhythmic integrity, sound production, technical foundation, and musical potential. Try to relax, enjoy the acoustics of the room, and show us your passion for percussion.
Available Instruments (London Auditions Only)
- Percussion: Adams 4-Octave Xylophone, Musser 3-Octave ProVibe, Yamaha 5-Octave Marimba, Pearl Philharmonic 14x5 Side Drum
- Timpani: Ludwig Pro Symphonic & Premier timpani (candidate’s choice of pedals)
Repertoire
Timpani
- Tchaikovsky:Symphony No. 4, 1st movement
- 7th bar after F to L
- 2 bars before T to 3 bars before U
- (Available in “Modern Method for Timpani”, Saul Goodman, Belwin Mills)
- Hindemith:Sinfonische Metamorphosen – Turandot Scherzo
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- Frank Martin:Concerto pour 7 Instruments à Vent, Timbales, Batterie et Orchestre à Cordes
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- Technical Requirement:
- Perform a roll on the highest drum, going from pianissimo to fortissimo and back down to pianissimo over 4 bars of 4/4 at crotchet = 60.
Xylophone
- Prokofiev:Alexander Nevsky
- (Available in the Goldenberg book)
- Gershwin:Porgy & Bess
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- Britten:Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
Side Drum
- Rimsky-Korsakov:Sheherazade, Movements 3 & 4
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- Prokofiev:Peter and the Wolf
- (Available in “Test Pieces for Orchestral Auditions”, Schott)
- Rimsky-Korsakov:Capriccio Espagnol
- (Available in the Goldenberg book)
Own Choice (Voluntary)
- A piece of your own choice on either Xylophone, Marimba, or Vibraphone.
Repertoire for International Audition Centres
If you are selected from your video recordings to perform in person at one of our international audition centres, you should take the same repertoire items you uploaded into your Acceptd profile.
What to Expect on Audition Day
1. Delivery Options & Process
- In-Person (London): You will perform your prepared repertoire live for our audition panel. Live auditions also include a sight-reading component on snare drum, tuned percussion, and timpani to assess your real-time reading and adaptability.
- Video recordings (video application, or international centres): You must upload your performance recordings to the Acceptd portal. For the digital submission, you may record individual pieces as separate video files, but each piece must be a single, unedited take.
- Spoken English Introduction (video application, or international centres): A short recorded verbal introduction introducing yourself, your musical background, and your professional goals to the faculty panel.
2. Academic Interview & Aural Skills Assessment
Undergraduate candidates may participate in a subsequent evaluation with a member of our academic staff. This is a relaxed, conversational session to discuss your future study plans, musical influences, and career goals.
During this session, you will explore 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 published or distributed in advance.
For more information see auditions.