Hi doesanyone know if you have to be grade 8 distinction when you apply/audition to the college or if you were offered a place the time of entry?

You would need to be at least Grade 8 distinction at the time of audition - if not higher depending on your instrument. I would say for the more competitive instruments at the more prestigious colleges you would need to be closer to diploma standard.

I went to the RNCM and most people had had grade 8 distinction for quite a few years before they got there

if im grade 6 now do you think its pos for entry in 2007?

I would say so... though not just in the case of having the number and bit of blue and white paper - they will look for far more, including potential for improvement - who wants to teach someone who knows it all (if there is such a person!)?

i dont think there can be especially in the case of music!

Hi there,
You don't physically have to have the piece of paper to say that you have a Grade 8 of any sort - although it looks good on the application form, of course. I didn't when I got into music college.

However, the audition process for the music colleges is rigorous so it really comes down to how you perform at audition rather than the pieces of paper you mention on the application form.

Best wishes.

It like a Job interview. Your application for the job is to get you short listed so that you can be seen In this case perform at the audition.

Your Grade 8 whether distinction or not is only an indicator of the level you are at. It is a combination of several factors on your application form. Have you seen the RAM application from? (they are not part of CUCAS). It asks about your music history. They want to know what and where you have performed and with who and when. Like a CV/Resume, but only your music stuff. This gives a good indicator of your music knowledge as opposed to just the basic three pieces you may have been doing for your grades for the past 7 years. Then they want a reference from your teacher and/or music director. So if you have never taken a music exam in your life, your performances and teacher's reference are essential. This is why performers always keep a copy of their programmes - yes even school performances - so that they can compile the music CV. This why it important to have a music teacher that you can work with.

Once you have been invited to auditon, and not everyone is, then you give the performance of your life - so far.

Hope that helps.

As people have said you don't actually have to have the bit of paper; but if you're not at least at a standard such that you could get that piece of paper then you won't be able to get past the audition. So no, you don't need to have a grade 8 distinction; but you do need to be able to play to that standard. As has also already been said, experience of music and repertoire outside of exams is just as important, if not more so, than the exams themselves.

For entry to a conservatoire, they always specify at least Grade 8, they never say what mark they would have liked you to have.

Hi there,

I am keen in taking up a Diploma in Music in the near future in a Conservatorium of Music (University). If possible, then a Degree after the Dip. Is it realistic to apply for the Diploma course straight after ABRSM G8? Of cos, there is the issue of being able to play at a certain qualified standard to get accepted, but my concern is, is it realistic & possible to get admitted into the course after obtaining G8 & wif a certain std in my playing? Has anyone ever done that?

Thanks!

Generally nyone who applies for music college will get an audition. I don't know anyone who's applied and never been given one. These places will take audition money from anyone. Don't mean to sound harsh, but I spent 4 years in a music college and know how political etc it gets!! Small institutions have no money so they have to get it in whatever way they can, unfortunately it's by swindling some people and giving them false hopes

One of my friends who plays the cello in my music class has just been offered a scolarship (spelling?) to RWCMD and he didnt get a grade 8 distinction

scholarship

My son applied to Leeds College of Music and we have heard nothing at all from Leeds - have to say that out of the four he applied to he was however invited to three for audition. Following his auditions he has received two conditional offers.

Im on a further education course at leeds and love it, However if he's applied for the straight music course then i know a couple of people with no date yet so i wouldnt worry-think they do the jazz auditions first.

I have just checked on the CUKAS web site and Leeds College of Music have stated that my son's application was unsuccessful - oh well never mind.