Scottish Music

All those who have applied on time (by the 1 October) for admission to the BA (Scottish Music) and BA (Scottish Music – Piping) courses are invited to the Royal Conservatoire approximately three weeks before the audition date to undertake an entrance audition. All auditions and interviews will take place at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow.

Please note that the audition date allocated to you cannot be altered. If you cannot attend due to illness, then a doctor’s note must be provided, in which case an alternative date can be arranged. The Royal Conservatoire has a specific period allocated to auditions and all on-time applications will have a decision before Christmas. If an audition is delayed, there is a risk that places will already have been taken.

Before your audition, you will have 30 minutes to warm up on your instrument and review any reading material.

The audition consists of the following:

Three contrasting sets that should include a March, Strathspey and Reel and one Piobaireachd (ground and 1st variation only).

 A contrasting programme featuring the applicant's own choice of tunes: air, march, strathspey, reel,  jig, hornpipe and self-accompaniment to singing if appropriate.

Varied programme of contrasting moods and tempi: featuring the broad range of Scots song, eg classic ballad, bothy ballad, Burns or other 'art' song, lullaby, contemporary Scots song, nonsense, bawdy or children's song, dance song or diddling.

 Varied programme of contrasting moods and tempi: puirt a beul, òrain luaidh, òrain bàsaidh, òran mór, contemporary Gaelic song, lullaby, lament .

 A variety of pieces and exercises demonstrating skills on snare drum, and any other traditional percussion such as bodhran (contemporary drum kit is not offered on this programme).

You will then give a performance of one item only on a second study. Second studies offered may be any principal study instrument or any other on which the applicant performs traditional music, subject to the Royal Conservatoire's resources. (NB Highland pipers may not offer bellows-blown pipes as a second study.)

The examiners will normally assess applicants' ability to recreate a song or tune in a traditional style in their principal study, by both sight-reading from a score and by reproducing a short melody or refrain sung or played to them by the panel. While support will be given in developing these skills during Year 1, it is beneficial for students to have a working knowledge of at least single line reading on entry to the course.

The Audition Panel will normally consist of the course leader and a specialist tutor of the applicant's principal study.

 

International applicants who are unable to attend an entrance audition in person must supply an authenticated and referenced recording of performance of two contrasted works on the principal instrument or voice. The recording should be of professional quality, ideally on DVD. Recordings submitted on tape cassette or standard magnetic tape will not be accepted.  Please check individual requirements for programmes / instruments below in terms of repertoire. Recordings should be sent to the following address – Admissions, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland, G2 3DB following submitting an application on CUKAS. Applicants who are offered a place at the Academy following submission of a recording will be required to undertake a supplementary audition when they arrive to start their programme of study. This is to confirm the authenticity of their recording.   This audition may affect their placing on the programme. Please note recordings cannot be returned.