Vocal Studies Auditions
Travelling to Audition
We encourage you to attend a live audition if it is safe to do so. Please refer to the latest Covid-19 travel guidelines from the UK government if you intend to travel from overseas.
If you wish to submit a recorded audition, please note the following:
- Please ensure that you select ‘RECORDED’ in the audition venue field of the application form.
- Instructions about how to upload your video will be sent to you after the application closing date.
- The deadline for all uploaded audition videos is Friday 28 October 2022.
Submitting a recorded audition will not impact on the result of your application. However, attending in person means that you will gain the full benefit of a visit to the school.
Vocal Pathways
Vocal candidates may choose to apply for:
- Vocal Studies (undergraduate and postgraduate singers, including opera and other vocal music); or
- Opera Studies (advanced postgraduate singers specialising in opera); or
- Joint application to be considered by both the Opera and Vocal Studies departments
If you make a joint application, panellists will assess which course - vocal or opera - would be most appropriate and successful candidates will be offered a place in either Vocal Studies or Opera Studies.
Find out more about the Vocal Studies and Opera Studies courses. If you wish to apply only for Opera Studies, please go to the opera webpage for audition requirements.
Live Auditions – Vocal Studies
Applicants will receive confirmation of their audition date and arrival time. Candidates should be available for 2 hours and 30 minutes from the point of arrival. This timeframe includes a short rehearsal with the staff pianist, your performance itself, call back for interview if required, and waiting time.
You should prepare:
- Three contrasting pieces of your own choice (which may include one piece of musical theatre). All pieces must be sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
A short piece of sight-singing may also be given, and the audition may include a short interview.
You may decide which piece to start with. The panel will then choose which other pieces to hear from your selection. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Four items in at least three different languages. These must include at least one opera/operetta/oratorio aria and one art song. You may also include one piece of musical theatre. All pieces must be sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
A short piece of sight-singing may also be given, and the audition may include a short interview.
You may decide which piece to start with. The panel will then choose which other pieces to hear from your selection. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Four items in at least three different languages. All items must be sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
Please also bring a printed list of the repertoire you have studied in the past five years. This is for the panel’s information.
A short piece of sight-singing may also be given, and the audition may include a short interview.
You may decide which piece to start with. The panel will then choose which other pieces to hear from your selection. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
For Vocal Studies Artist Diploma level we expect the repertoire you perform at audition to show your particular strengths, interests and focus: if your aim is for your Artist Diploma studies to concentrate on a specific style or genre, your audition choices should reflect this; if your aim for the Artist Diploma is more broad-based, we will want to hear a wider range of audition repertoire.
Audition requirements are the same as those for the Guildhall Artist Masters performance pathway.
Recorded Auditions – Vocal Studies
Please upload a pre-recorded video following the live audition requirements above. Instructions about how to upload your video will be sent to you after the application closing date. The deadline for all uploaded audition videos is Friday 28 October 2022.
Successful candidates will be invited to an online interview (e.g. via Zoom) at a later date. A piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given at this interview if required.
Live Auditions – Joint Opera/Vocal Studies Applications
The audition comprises two rounds (if successful in the first round). Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Three contrasting opera/operetta arias and one art song. If your first language is not English then one of the arias you offer must be either originally composed in, or translated into, English.
First Round
In the first round, you will need to have ready two of the operatic arias and the art song. You will be asked to begin with the opera/operetta aria of your choice. The panel will then choose whether to hear your second aria or your art song.
Second Round (Vocal Studies)
For Vocal Studies, the second round is in the form of a short interview. This takes place online (e.g. via Zoom) at a later date. During the interview, a piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given and the panel may also request to hear a short poem or piece of prose. Ahead of the interview, you will also be asked to submit a printed list of the repertoire you have studied in the past five years, for the panel’s information.
Second Round (Opera Studies)
In the Opera Studies second round (13/14 December), you will be asked to perform two contrasting arias, one of which must be different from those offered in the first round. You will also be required to attend a 30 minute movement and drama workshop; please ensure you arrive wearing comfortable clothing for this session. You may change into audition clothing after the movement session and before your audition. Please note that we do not have designated changing facilities, but you may use the restrooms to change.
The audition comprises two rounds (if successful in the first round). Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Three contrasting opera/operetta arias and one art song. If your first language is not English then one of the arias you offer must be either originally composed in, or translated into, English.
First Round
In the first round, you will need to have ready two of the operatic arias and the art song. You will be asked to begin with the opera/operetta aria of your choice. The panel will then choose whether to hear your second aria or your art song.
Second Round (Vocal Studies)
For Vocal Studies, the second round is in the form of a short interview. This takes place online (e.g. via Zoom) at a later date. During the interview, a piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given and the panel may also request to hear a short poem or piece of prose. Ahead of the interview, you will also be asked to submit a printed list of the repertoire you have studied in the past five years, for the panel’s information.
Second Round (Opera Studies)
In the Opera Studies second round (13/14 December), you will be asked to perform two contrasting arias, one of which must be different from those offered in the first round. You will also be required to attend a 30 minute movement and drama workshop; please ensure you arrive wearing comfortable clothing for this session. You may change into audition clothing after the movement session and before your audition. Please note that we do not have designated changing facilities, but you may use the restrooms to change.
Audition requirements are the same as those for the Guildhall Artist Masters performance pathway.
Recorded Auditions – Joint Vocal/Opera Applications
Please upload a pre-recorded video audition that includes all the items required for rounds 1 and 2, as listed above under ‘live auditions’. You are strongly encouraged to record with live accompaniment. Singing with a pre-recorded accompaniment or unaccompanied will be accepted only if restrictions make live accompaniment impossible.
Successful vocal candidates will be invited to an online interview (e.g. via Zoom) at a later date. During the interview, a piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given and the panel may also request to hear a short poem or piece of prose. If required, candidates may be asked to upload an additional aria or art song by video submission at the panel’s discretion.
If you progress to second round opera, there will be an online workshop (via Zoom). This is scheduled to take place on 13/14 December.