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
- make a 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 should arrive 10 minutes prior to their allocated time and should be available for a period of 2 hours after their stated time. This timeframe will include a short rehearsal with the staff pianist, your performance itself (usually up to 10 minutes), call back for interview if required, and waiting time.
You should prepare:
- Three contrasting pieces of your own choice (which may include 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 what else 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 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.
The panel will choose items from your selection. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- A programme of 25-30 minutes of music. All items must be sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
Please also bring a printed list of the repertoire you are presenting. The panel will select items from your list. The audition may include a short interview. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
At Artist Diploma level we expect your audition repertoire 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. In both cases, however, your skill in putting together a coherent, logical audition programme will be considered by the panel, even if only some items are performed on the day.
Audition requirements are the same as those for the Guildhall Artist Masters performance pathway.
Live Auditions – Joint Opera/Vocal Studies Applications
The audition comprises two rounds. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Four items in at least three different languages. These must include at least two opera/operetta arias and one art song. You may also include musical theatre. For those whose first language is not English, one of the arias offered must be in English (either original or in translation). All pieces must be sung from memory.
- For Opera Round 2, one additional contrasting opera/operetta aria, sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
First Round
In the first round, you will be asked to begin with the opera/operetta aria of your choice. The panel will then choose what else to hear from your selection.
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. A piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given at this interview if required.
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, so please ensure you wear comfortable clothing on this day.
The audition comprises two rounds, as detailed below. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
You should prepare:
- Two contrasting opera/operetta arias (one of which must be in English for those whose first language is not English)
- For Opera Round 2, one additional contrasting opera/operetta aria, sung from memory.
- A programme of 25-30 minutes of music, as outlined under Artist Diploma (Vocal Studies) above. This programme may include the three opera/operetta arias. All items must be sung from memory.
- A short poem or piece of prose.
First Round
In the first round, you will be asked to begin with the opera/operetta aria of your choice. The panel will then choose what else to hear from your selection. Auditions will be recorded for internal use only.
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. A piece of unaccompanied sight-singing may be given at this interview if required.
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, so please ensure you wear comfortable clothing on this day.
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.
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 encouraged to record with live accompaniment if you can, but singing with a pre-recorded accompaniment or unaccompanied will also be accepted.
Successful vocal 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.
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.