hey all,

during my lesson my teacher said the words 'music college' to me with a straight face - as i started quite late, and i'm certainly not the best of my teacher's students, it's something i'd never considered. I've been having a look round the web for more info (including some useful posts on here) and I spent quite alot of time looking round the rcm's website, and, in particular, their entry requirements.

It only mentions a C at A level music and an E in something else - no mention as to the standard of playing required, for example. Their audition pieces suggest somewhere around where i am now - and their course exam recital performance assesment type things call for some pretty tricky pieces that i think i might be able to tackle in the next year or two. but still, there's a voice at the back of my head saying "surely, with all the people auditioning they want a bit more than this?".

I'm under no illusion that if i turn up and play the pieces well i'm guaranteed a place - but i'm really clueless about the sort of standard they're really expecting from their auditionees. that it is where a friendly group of experienced musicians comes in, such as yourselves

so: if i wanted to give myself the best chance of getting into a music college (in a few years time, only just started a levels!) what sort of standard do i need to be? i'm aware that they don't take grades as tickets to an easy place, but they're useful to compare the standard required to.

also, one more thing to note - i play bassoon, and i can't imagine places will be as highly contested as many (or most) other instruments.

Hey Matt!
Haven't spoken to you in a while, are you enjoying BYO? I love it!
I'd love to audition to music college too.
Thing is, I think it's less about entry requirements and more based on audition and you really need to excel because the competition is fierce!!!
That's just what I've been told anyway, I don't know much about it...

You never know in the real world of work...

argh i miss it!
last friday i started getting ready to go then i realised i don't go anymore!
i was invited back for the christmas course but i cant go, and for tour, but i can't go because i'm going to africa like two days afterwards!

Pizza is right. Don't be too sure! I heard of a late starter, a young teenage girl in my daughter's Sat school who scored 144 for her grade 8 bassoon! It's amazing how many nowadays can play diploma standard pieces well for auditions by 18 (regardless of the lack of formal qualifications/exams as these are often only indicative) but please don't let that put you off. It's probably a combination of very hard work/practice, strong determination and having an excellent teacher.

I taught a student a couple of years ago who played flute, bassoon and piano. She had passed Grade 8 bassoon with distinction at the beginning of sixth form, and auditioned for places at four music colleges: Guildhall, RNCM, Birmingham Conservatoire and RCM (I think). She was offered places at three out of four, and went to Guildhall.

Hey yeah, it's pretty good, but the contra part's like empty and in the stravinsky i don't play from like figure 22 to figure 40-something, so i'm just sitting there doing nothing. but, yeah, it's better than bhyp

so basically you have to be well passed grade 8 then to stand a chance (basically look and act like a pro musician)