I understand they give one full scholarship each year to an international student.

Does anyone know how competitive this is? I would like to attend it because of its prestige.

I have been playing violin 7 years under a really good teacher, wing law (julliard educated) and am working on mendelsohn's concerto for violin, 3rd movement.

I read you need a good pass on diploma level, but would it give you an advantage to do LRSM and FRSM?

ooh, it'd be so exciting to play violin my whole life.

Oh, that's so awesome!! It would be so cool to get in!! How old are you? Do you know how old you have to be to get in? And where do you have to live to be eligible?
Sorry that's heaps of questions! Lol
Yeah isn't the Mendelssohn a great concerto! I listen to it every day Lol

You won't need to have passed any diploma to apply as an undergraduate, a good pass/distinction at Grade 8 is sufficient, but it would be an advantage to you if you can play to the standard of DipABRSM.

Entrance to any of the royal schools is very competitive, but if it's an ambition to study there then don't hesitate in applying.

For the audition, you will need to prepare the first movement (with cadenza) of a concerto by Mozart or Haydn, plus one contrasting piece. They normally expect scales and arpeggios to Grade 8 standard as well, and you will also be asked to do some sight-reading and general musicianship/aural tests. In addition, they have a written music theory exam, for which no specimen papers are available. The only way to find out what the written exam is like is to either contact a teacher who knows the RAM audition process, or someone who is already studying there.

Music conservatoires look for candidates who demonstrate good ability and the potential to develop into well-rounded professional musicians, as opposed to only choosing applicants with outright talent. They normally have a short interview after the audition to find out a bit more about you and what your aspirations might be. The answers you give should demonstrate a realistic view of the music profession, so it's not a good idea to go on about becoming a soloist for example.

ouch.

extremely competitive? well-rounded musicians?

does that mean you have to play more than one instrument?

Being a composer or singer too would be a viable second musical skill I guess.

In short, no, but you will be expected to have keyboard studies to about the level of Grade 5, though you need not have taken the exam - this is because of the general musicianship skills you will study throughout your first and second year. Keyboard skills are normally included within the audition process.

I do know of a composition student who was offered place this year without much experience on the keyboard - he composed using the software Sibelius etc. - but they expected him to have acquired sufficient skill by the time he started the course, otherwise they simply wouldn't have let him in.

A well-rounded musician would be someone who can demonstrate practical performance skills in various situations, such as solo, a small ensemble, chamber music and within a large orchestra where your own input as well as working as part of a team is important. Then there's teaching skills, work with students of all ages and backgrounds and communicating your subject and skills to a wide range of audiences. All the major UK conservatoires now run outreach groups that students are expected to participate in at some time and these will help develop your communication skills. Sadly, there is insufficient work around to just perform these days and even established orchestral musicians teach in order to supplement their income.

Best advice is for you to gain as much experience as possible performing with others (preferably in public), before you apply to the RAM, so that you can put all of this down on your application form. The more practical experience you have, the better your chances of being selected for audition.