Undergraduate Audition Information

STOP PRESS:  Auditions for the Elder Conservatorium of Music will be held in Sydney and Melbourne in the week of 30 November. For more information visit the interstate auditions page.

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All applicants for any degree, diploma or certificate Music program must apply separately to SATAC for admission.  Please visit their website at www.satac.edu.au for further information.  International applicants apply through the International Office here at the University.

Entry to all Undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate Music programs is subject to satisfactory academic achievement and audition. Quotas may be imposed in each area of specialisation and if you have multiple specialisations, you may audition in each of them to ensure consideration in more than one quota group.

Auditions Overview

Audition application forms are required.  They should be submitted to the Conservatorium before 30 September to ensure that an audition can be scheduled for you in December. While late applications will be accepted, there is no guarantee that they can necessarily be accomodated in the audition schedule. 

The audition process involves a performance/interview/portfolio with an audition panel for instrumental, vocal, composition and music technology areas, and an aural/theory test. The audition aims to assess each applicant's skills and potiential for future studies.  The aural/theory test 

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their audition within 10 days. While scores are not provided, you will be told of the level of program your current skill level indicates you are ready for.  This advice is indicative only and does not constitute an offer of admission.  Formal offers to the the Conservatorium Undergraduate Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor degree programs are made through SATAC during their standard offer rounds.  Offers to the Diploma of Instrumental Music, Honours or readmission following leave of absence are made by the Conservatorium.

All applicants for instrumental or vocal places in the certificates, diploma and degrees (ie, any of the Undergraduate programs offered by the Conservatorium) are required to prepare three works contrasting in tempo and style, with a total duration of 10-15 minutes for their audition (see individual sections for full details and any specific requirements). Performance from memory is encouraged but is not essential. 

The audition panel will expect the performance to be of an advanced standard and will look for musical achievement, potential and suitability for the requirements and standards of tertiary study. Please note that applicants will attend a single audition for each area of specialisation (instrument or voice) they wish to be considered in, regardless of the number of Music programs they wish to apply for.

Whilst applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the audition in person at the University, it is possible for international applicants to submit a high quality recording in lieu of a live audition. Such applicants are asked to provide both audio and video recordings. It is important that the repertoire presented conforms to the requirements outlined below. A letter of verification should also be enclosed.

Applicants are also requested to supply a list of pieces studied over the past two years on the Audition Application form.  

Program Specific Audition Requirements

Brass (French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba)

You should prepare three contrasting pieces showing musicianship, technical facility and current musical achievement. The panel will look for good tonal quality, clear articulation, precise rhythm and accurate intonation. Technical work (such as scales and arpeggios), sight reading and aural ability may be tested.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Composition

Composition applicants should bring photocopies of several original scores (normally 3) that enable the interview panel to  undersand your current style and handling of compositional techniques.  If your compositions are short pieces, you may wish to bring more than three.  Note that copies of your scores should be brought with you on the day and not submitted in advance. The panel will retain the photocopies after the interview.

During the interview, the panel will ask questions about your compositions.  You'll be invited to speak about their character and the techniques through which your musical ideas are expressed.  You will be asked general questions about things such as your knowledge of the musical repertory, your preferred composers and musical works that have influenced you.

Integrated Studies

Integrated Studies applicants should audition for their instrument or voice as outlined in the relevant section on this page.

Jazz (Bass, Drums, Flute, Electric Guitar, Keyboard, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Voice)

Three pieces should be prepared, typically illustrating Blues, Latin and Swing standards. A list of possible options if available on request, however you do not have to choose from this alone. It is recommended that applicants provide their own rhythm sections for accompaniment to give the panel an opportunity to evaluate your interaction with other players. If this is not possible, CD backing tracks are acceptable.

All (12 keys) major scales and at least 2 types of minor scales are expected.

You may be asked to read chords and melody lines for your instrument within a Big Band chart and to read a simple chord chart and improvise in an appropriate jazz style.

While music stands, a Vocal PA and mike without risers, Bass Amplifier, Guitar Amplifier and drum kit with cymbals but no sticks are provided in the audition venue, warm up rooms only have an amplifier.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Keyboard (Harpsichord, Piano, Organ)

Piano: You need to prepare three pieces covering three major periods of the pianoforte literature. These must include one study or piece of a technical nature and one polyphonic piece (Bach, Hindemith, Shostakovich, etc). Familiarity with some scales and arpeggios will be expected. You will be given one minute to prepare a short piece of sight reading.  Aural ability may be tested.

All auditions are conducted on a Steinway piano.  Warm-up rooms contain upright pianos.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Organ: Applicants should include three contrasting works totalling not more than 15 minutes. Technical work should include two or three pedal solos such as JS Bach Toccata in F, BWV 540 (first pedal solo, bars 55-82) or Toccata in C, BWV 564 (pedal solo, bars 13-32) or F Mendelssohn Sonata in D Minor, Opus 65, No. 6 (pedal part of the 12/8 variation).

Applicants for all other keyboard instruments (harpsichord, etc) must prepare three contrasting pieces and technical work (such as scales and arpeggios). Sight reading and aural ability may also be tested.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Music Technology

Music Technology applicants will attend a group interview and acomplete a short questionnaire as part of the interview process.  If you have a DVD, CD or demo tape, please leave a copy with us at the interview. This should contain 3 works demonstrating your use of technology, music making, mixing and production, recording, live sound and sound design.

All applicants will need to bring a CV detailing their background and range of relevant activities, employment and other experiences which will be left with the panel at the interview.

Pedagogy and Performance

Applicants interested in the 'Pedagogy and Performance' specialisation in the Bachelor of Music Studies should audition for their instrument or voice as outlined on this page.

Percussion (Classical)

Applicants will be required to perform three contrasting works selected from the following percussion categories:

Group 1: Vibraphone, Xylophone, Marimba
Group 2: Timpani, Snare Drum, Multipercussion

The pieces can be performed with or without an accompanist and duration need be no longer than 10 minutes. Technical exercises are required demonstrating major scales and arpeggios, one to two octaves played at quavers equalling 120mm. Basic snare drum rudiments, e.g. single and double stroke rolls at various dynamic levels, are to be performed.

Pieces can be performed with or without an accompanist.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Sound Engineering

Sound Engineering applicants will attend a group interview and acomplete a short questionnaire as part of the interview process.  If you have a DVD, CD or demo tape, please leave a copy with us at the interview. This should contain 3 works demonstrating your use of technology, music making, mixing and production, recording, live sound and sound design.

All applicants will need to bring a CV detailing their background and range of relevant activities, employment and other experiences which will be left with the panel at the interview.

Strings (Cello, Classical Guitar, Double Bass, Harp, Violin, Viola)

You need to prepare three contrasting pieces showing musicianship, technical facility and current musical achievement. The panel will look for good tonal quality, clear articulation, precise rhythm and accurate intonation. Technical work (such as scales and arpeggios), sight reading and aural ability may be tested.

Please note that due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to play complete pieces.

Voice (Classical)

Please prepare three contrasting pieces of classical vocal music. Songs should include a variety of styles such as early Italian, a classical arrangement of a folk song or spiritual, an Art song (a classically composed song in any language) or possibly something from a musical. Sight reading skills at 4th grade AMEB level are expected.

The panel may ask a student to demonstrate some basic aural skills by singing scales, arpeggios and intervals.

Please note that you will require an accompanist. Due to time restrictions, the panel may not ask you to sing complete pieces, nor ask for all three pieces you have prepared.

Woodwind (Bassoon, Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Recorder, Saxophone) 

You should prepare three contrasting pieces from different periods/styles.  One movement of a sonata is sufficient. showing musicianship, technical facility and current musical achievement. The panel will look for good tone quality, clear articulation, precise rhythm and accurate intonation. Technical work (such as scales and arpeggios), sight reading and aural ability may be tested.

Accompanist

All applicants attending a live audition should arrange their own accompanist.

Aural/Theory Test

This test is an integral part of the audition process which all applicants are required to complete, including any applicants currently undertaking a pre-degree VET program.  International applicants who are auditioning via recordings may be excused from the aural/theory test, as will any student auditioning for readmission after a leave of absence, or applicants for the Diploma of Instrumental Music. 

The aural/theory test score is used in the selection process as a tie-breaker when needed and provides us with an indicator of your current level in both areas.

Any new applicants must provide a description of their theoretical background and copies of any recent certificates with their audition application.

Test sessions will be scheduled at 12 noon on each day during the audition periods. Applicants may attend any session - booking is not necessary.  Please bring a pen and photo ID.

The aural/theory test aims to assess the applicant's general level of musicianship, which involves the ability to identify and recognise musical concepts within aural, written and theoretical contexts. The test comprises:

• aural questions covering rhythm, tonality, melody and harmony
• score interpretation questions about a given short piano extract
• theoretical questions such as keys, major and minor scales, intervals and chords

Click here to view a sample test.

The test is similar in content to the SACE Stage 2 Musicianship exam (Applied Theory section). Past SSABSA Musicianship exam papers are available at: www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au (go to ‘Teachers & Schools’, then to ‘Subject Information’, and scroll down to last years 'Examination papers' to ‘Musicianship’).