Conducting audition
Conducting – postgraduate only (MA or MMus)
UCAS Conservatoires course codes:
MA 2 year 701F
MMus 2 year 801F
The UCAS Conservatoires application deadline for entry in September is 1st November in the previous year. This is also the deadline for receipt of the Orchestral Conducting first-round video recordings. Please see Application Dates for details; we regret we are not accepting any more Conducting applications for entry in September 2020.
Auditions take place in London only, at the Academy.
• First Round assessments: by 1 November Orchestral Conducting candidates should submit their completed UCAS Conservatoires application, and also upload into Acceptd a biography, curriculum vitae, and video recordings of at least two contrasting pieces, totalling between 15 and 30 minutes overall, filmed from the orchestral players' view of the conductor. The quality of the recording does not need to be perfect, but the works shown should each start from the beginning with no cuts or other editing. The recordings can include some rehearsal as well as actual performance
Please upload the files to Acceptd, https://app.getacceptd.com/royalacademyofmusic, selecting "Masters Conducting, Orchestral" as the Program Area. Please note that after you have pressed Submit it is not possible to add or amend files. The recordings will only be assessed if there is also a complete UCAS Conservatoires application.
The recordings are assessed by the Conducting department entry panel. This is the equivalent of the first-round live performance given by a performance candidate to a panel at the Academy.
6 and 7 February 2020 - two day session
• Second Round assessments: these live assessments will be held at the Royal Academy of Music in London. The selected candidates are expected to be available for both dates.
You will be informed around the middle of January whether you have been selected for the second round live assessment and the exact starting time will be confirmed in UCAS Conservatoires ‘Apply and Track’. The repertoire list will be sent to all selected candidates at this point; you should prepare all items, and the section/s you conduct in each stage will be selected by the auditioning panel at the time of the audition.
You should attend at the allocated time on the first day; you will be given aural tests, and will conduct a small wind orchestra. There will also be an interview with the panel, the day's assessments are expected to be complete no later than 7pm.
Candidates selected to proceed after these assessments will be contacted via email by around 9pm at the latest. If you are selected, on the following morning you will have a conducting session with two pianos and there may be a further short interview. These assessments are expected to be complete no later than 3pm.
You do not need to perform on piano or other instruments for your audition.
Your official result will be notified through UCAS Conservatoires Track after the Selection Board has met, following the end of the two days of assessments.
You are welcome to contact the Admissions Team or the department administrator if you have any queries.
Master of Music (MMus) applications
There are specific requirements for written work which you should bring to your audition to support your application, your work may be discussed at interview.