Video auditions and self-tape advice

All submissions must have been recorded in the past few months.

The performance element of your video submission must be in one take (unedited, with no breaks between items). Individual pieces or movements can be recorded separately if the opportunity to record continuously is affected by circumstances beyond your control (such as availability of an accompanist). Please check the 'audition requirements' page on your relevant department for full details.

1. Decide where you will make your recording – somewhere with natural light, where we will be able to see you clearly. Use a neutral backdrop – a blank wall works best.
2. Use your iPhone, iPad, laptop or similar device to record. Make sure that the device is placed at an appropriate distance from you - around two to three metres is ideal.
3. Ensure that the working parts of the instrument or person (e.g. lips and fingers for a brass player or both hands for a string player) are visible for the duration of the video. For sung auditions, the frame should be from the chest up and the camera should be at eye level. Be still and keep it simple – too much movement is distracting.
4. Ensure that the lighting is sufficient.
5. Produce a steady image with minimal shake. Have someone you know with a steady hand film you if they have the time. If not, prop your device up on a music stand or book, or use a cheap tripod and phone clip.
6. Always record with the device in a horizontal/landscape format.
7. Audio quality is more important than the video quality.
8. If possible, try to record in a quiet environment and use a room without too much reverberation/echo.
9. Turn off televisions, computer notifications, silence your phone (ideally using airplane mode), close all the apps that are running at the background, and shut the windows.
10. Record test footage to begin. This way you can review the footage and decide if it's better to place the phone in a different part of the room.
11. Make sure you have plenty of space on your recording device before you start. You may need to transfer photos and videos onto a computer or into cloud storage to make sure you have enough space to fit your recording.
12. Consider creating two or three takes of each piece and pick the best one.
13. Review your full recording before submitting to make sure you haven't missed any visual or audio issues. If you have used a backing track or a live accompanist, please ensure we can hear you clearly above the accompaniment and that the audio balance is in your favour.
14. Though not essential, an external microphone will help improve the audio quality of your recording.
15. Do not use any added reverb or pitch correction software.
16. Relax and have fun! The wonderful thing about self-taping is you can do it until you get it right. The audition panel will not be assessing the quality of your recording, only the quality of your performance!