I'm in year 11 and would possibly be looking for a place at music college when I leave school after my A Levels, and, I was wondering what the required level would be to get in. I doubt I'm up to a high enough standard as the only thing I've got to a very high level is my voice and other instruments I am less good at but I was just wondering whether it is a possiblity...I have other plans if it isn't but...

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

For instruments you would have to be at least grade 8 distinction standard for most top conservatoires - you don't have to take hte exam, but that is a guideline standard. The head of keyboard at RNCM told me that most people are around DipABRSM standard, some higher.

For voice it is different, as voices mature later. Many singers don't start until a year or more later than instrumentalists, but then they would also have to be at least grade 8. Most colleges expect around grade 5 ability at piano as well, in order to cope with the harmony part of the course.

While you do not have to have actually taken any exams, the standard of playing required for entry is now in the realms of DipABRSM. Keyboard skills to a standard of about grade 5 are also expected, plus good sight-reading ability. Most also require you to sit a written exam paper which will cover general things such as harmony and music history. They sometimes interview auditionees as well - to find out a bit more about you and what your aspirations might be.

Competition to get in at undergraduate level is extremely high, because applicants now come from all over the world with the desire to study in the UK.

It's important to note however that music conservatoires look for potential rather than immediate stardom. They look for people who are open to learning. Be realistic about your future musical goals - it's a tough profession whatever branch you take - and apply to several colleges to give yourself a better chance.

In the meantime, practice, practice, practice............

Good luck!

OK thanks...so far it doesn't sound completely out of the question! I am not a bad pianist and would not mind taking lessons again to make sure I am grade 5+ (even if I end up not applying it would be something I'd like to do ) I'll keep practicing and loving music other thing was....which is the best conservatoire/college or are they all much the same? (I must sound so stupid but )

xoxoxoxoxoxox

I've heard that the 'top 4' are RCM, RAM, RNCM and Guildhall. Others are Trinity, RSAMD, RWCMD and Birmingham Conservatoire, Leeds...

Yeah, the RCM and RAM are particularly popular with foreign applicants, so expect a real atmosphere of tension and adrenaline if you get invited to audition there.

ha lol rwcmd and rsamd!

Why did you laugh?

i was invited for an audition both at the RCM and RAM....it's tough, i can tell you this....the sad thing is i didn't get in RCM, what a shame....i still don't know the result of the RAM audition, since i'm not in the Uk at the moment (i'm at home, in hong kong, for my christmas holiday).....

i still have one more to go, which is the RNCM (january...haha)

Yes they want grade 5 keyboard skills, but if you don't have them, generally it's not too much of a problem. They would probably then give you some basic piano/keyboard harmony lessons.

If it was singign you were going for, although I'm biased, the RNCM is one of the best colleges to be at. It has a world renowned vocal department. They quite often take older people, though they do take 'normal' aged people too!!!!! Just depends on how mature your voice is!

i finally got back to the boarding school in the uk, after a very "long" christmas holiday......

and i received several letters from music colleges and unis.....

i went for the audition but unfortunately rejected by RCM, RAM...

also, cambridge rejected me.....

i actually expected them to reject me, since i know i'm not a very good player....

Most conservatoires require 2 A level grades. Its usually a C in music and an E in any other subject. Some don't even want grade 8 officially but you have to be of about that standard. But then if you perform exceptionally in the audition they sometimes don't bother with A levels that much.

awww don't worry about it: and don't be silly, of course you're a good player. it's just that there are lots of other people who are also good players.

have you had offers from anywhere else?

yes i have...

Durham: ABC
Manchester: AAA
Birmingham: AAB
York: ABB

my RNCM audition will be in january....

I know you must be really disappointed, but don't take it too personally and remember there are still lots of options available! I also auditioned for music college this year (for postgrad courses) and haven't been accepted anywhere so it looks like I'll be trying again next year. All of the universities you have offers from are very good and you'd do well at any of them - why not do an undergraduate degree there and then try auditioning for a postgrad at music college after?

RWCMD is not my favourite place, being as they took so much pleasure in destroying my confidence when I went to them for singing lessons (not even a degree course) early last year. I don't think their standards are that high though. My brother (who has only just passed Grade 8 with a merit) auditioned for double bass (he doesn't play a note of piano and has never taken a piano lesson in his life. He got a "C" at music A level.) - he was one of only *7* people who applied for the course and they all got in.

My violin teacher - who has taught at RWCMD - says most of the strings students there are not good enough to get into the profession and a previous music teacher of mine called the RWCMD a "Mickey Mouse" degree (he was a former player with a top level UK Orchestra and had gone to LRAM.

I also knew a vocal graduate of RWCMD who worked in a cafe for a living. She was even rejected for roles in amateur dramatic productions.

Then again I'm probably just bitter because they rejected me for singing lessons!

RWCMD is good for some things, not so good for others.
Generally speaking, its a great place to go for a degree if you're not wanting to be a top-level soloist, but not the best choice if that's your ambition.
If you want to teach, its fine (if you want to teach within Wales, its even an advantage). Also if you want to be able to do parts of your degree through the medium of Welsh (ie, get to write some essays and things in Welsh as opposed to English), then its the only choice. Also, for people who cant cope with the thought of leaving Wales/studying in a major city, its a great other option.

Its improving in standard, but yeah.. its generally not on a par with the top level colleges, though obviously that depends somewhat on which instrument (or voice) you wish to study.

In other words, it suits some people, not others.... like any other college really!

I think the only way to really decide which college is the best, is to visit them yourself. For example, I only applied to 2 this time round.. the RCM and the RNCM. (at £50 a time for auditions i didnt fancy trying for them all )
I absolutely loved the rncm... most amazing vibe, and i felt like i could be happy there, and fit there.
Absolutely hated the feel of the rcm... not because anyone was unfriendly or anything.. i just wasnt comfortable there, it didnt suit me...
My friend felt the absolute opposite - loved the rcm, hated the rncm... it all depends on your character, and your aims.

So basically, i'd suggest that its worth visiting the colleges before you apply, or if thats not possible then at least taking a good look around when you go up for audition.. try to get the feel of the place, and figure out where you'ld be happiest... it just makes such a huge difference!

hope that helps some.
s xx

that's really good, and good luck with the audition. i hope it goes really well!!!

durham, manchester, birmingham and york are all fantastic: i really liked york when i went there, and durham is beautiful... i wasn't expecting to get into cambridge, so i told everybody i hoped to get into york or durham whenever they asked!! i dont know much about birmingham except that my friend is at the conservatoire studying the french horn, and she knows lots of people at the university who all seem to be having a great time!!! oh yeah and manchester is really good except i dont like them cos they rejected me.

are you going to study music?

are you going to study music?
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i am....

my RNCM audition is on 19th january....my teachers (i got quite a number) say i will be fine as long as i'm not nervous....nerves is my weakest point....

best of luck.

Good luck!
yeah, i know the feeling with nerves... after my first piece in RNCM audition they just told me to stop a second and to relax, because i was shaking so badly! They were lovely about it though, so really if you do get nervous, dont let the nerves themselves be an issue (the audition panel aren't gonna hold them against you)- just accept that thats how it is, and go play your best!
I'm sure you'll be great!
s xx