Keyboard Auditions
Application deadlines
Thursday 2 October 2025: BMus, MMus/MPerf, Artist Diploma and Advanced Certificate.
Those applying for an overseas audition, should refer to the Music Auditions Overseas webpage for information about application deadlines.
Piano
We encourage you to attend a live audition where possible, as this offers candidates the opportunity to engage in live music-making, to meet key departmental staff, and to experience our vibrant school environment.
If you are based overseas and elect to submit a recorded audition, the deadline to upload your audition video(s) is Friday 24 October 2025. Details about how to upload your recording(s) will follow after the application deadline.
Please note: we do not request pre-screening videos. If you elect to attend a live audition, you will not be required to submit a video recording. If you elect to submit a recorded audition, you must provide recordings as detailed below, and you will not be invited to attend a live audition.
Live and Recorded Auditions
Three contrasting pieces of your own choice are to be played from memory.
Live Auditions
Please prepare a varied recital programme of 60 minutes (to be played from memory), from which the audition panel will choose extracts.
A repertoire list of the works played in the last two years is required. Please bring a printed repertoire list to your audition.
Recorded Auditions
Submit video recording(s) demonstrating a varied recital programme of 60 minutes.
A repertoire list of works played in the last two years should be uploaded alongside your audition video(s). Details about how to upload your recording(s) and repertoire list will follow after the application deadline.
Audition requirements are the same as those for the MMus/MPerf programme, but the expected standard of performance at Artist Diploma level is higher.
Applicants who are successful in the initial audition round will be required to submit the below (you will be contacted following your audition):
- an up-to-date artistic CV
- a recent recording (made within the last year)
These items will be reviewed by the Artist Diploma Panel as part of the second round of consideration.
Audition requirements for the Advanced Certificate are the same as those for the MMus/MPerf - Advanced Instrumental Studies programme, detailed above.
Collaborative Piano
Live auditions
The audition includes both vocal and instrumental work with soloists engaged by the Guildhall School. Soloists will be provided for London auditions only.
If you are auditioning at one of our overseas venues, please bring your own soloists. Candidates who are unable to bring their own vocal and / or instrumental partners to this audition should contact the Senior Professor of Collaborative Piano, Bretton Brown, to discuss options.
For entry in September 2026, candidates should prepare the following:
- A short solo piece of your own choice
- Set works. Please prepare one piece from the violin repertoire list and two songs from the vocal repertoire list below – one from list A and one from List B (i.e. three pieces in total). Please ensure you prepare the vocal repertoire in the correct key, as detailed below. Guildhall School will provide soloists for the London auditions only.
Violin
Please prepare one of the two movements below:
- Beethoven Violin Sonata no. 4 in A minor, Op. 23, first movement (Presto); OR
- Beethoven Violin Sonata no. 6 in A Major, Op. 30 no. 1, first movement (Allegro)
Vocal
Please prepare one song from list A AND one song from list B:
List A
- Fauré: 'En sourdine' (Cinq mélodies 'de Venise', Op. 58) - in E-flat major; OR
- Debussy: 'La Flûte de Pan' (Chansons de Bilitis) - in G-sharp minor
List B
- Schubert: Auf der Donau, D553 - in E-flat major; OR
- Strauss: Zueignung - in A major
Candidates should also expect:
- Sight-reading
- A short interview
For further details about the course, please contact the Senior Professor of Collaborative Piano, Bretton Brown.
Recorded Auditions
Pianists should record the set repertoire listed above with vocal and instrumental partners. Solo recordings of collaborative works cannot be accepted. If you are unable to prepare the set repertoire with your soloists, please email the Senior Professor of Collaborative Piano, Bretton Brown, with any questions.
Pre-recorded auditions should be accompanied by a list of collaborative repertoire already studied. Please upload your list with your audition video (full instructions supplied following online application submission).
Candidates whose playing meets the required standard will be required to attend a remote video-calling audition at a later date, during which sight-reading will be screen-shared.
Live Auditions
Please prepare a varied recital programme of 60 minutes, from which the audition panel will choose extracts. This will generally be collaborative repertoire but some solo (no more than 30 minutes) is also acceptable.
Candidates should also expect:
- Sight-reading
- A short interview
A repertoire list of the works played in the last two years is required. Please bring a printed repertoire list to your audition.
If you are unable to bring your own vocal and / or instrumental partners to this audition, please contact the Senior Professor of Collaborative Piano, Bretton Brown, to discuss possible options.
Applicants who are successful in the initial audition round will be required to submit the below (you will be contacted following your audition):
- an up-to-date artistic CV
- a recent recording (made within the last year).
These items will be reviewed by the Artist Diploma Panel as part of the second round of consideration.
Recorded Auditions
Please submit a varied recital programme of 60 minutes. This will generally be collaborative repertoire but some solo (no more than 30 minutes) is also acceptable.
A repertoire list of works played in the last two years should be uploaded alongside your audition video(s). Details about how to upload your recording(s) and repertoire list will follow after the application deadline.
Applicants who are successful in the initial audition round will be required to submit the below (you will be contacted following your audition):
- an up-to-date artistic CV
- a recent recording (made within the last year)
These items will be reviewed by the Artist Diploma Panel as part of the second round of consideration.
Audition requirements for the Advanced Certificate are the same as those for the MMus/MPerf programme.
