Study options & audition requirements

A male student, wearing a black shirt, smiling and chatting to other students, all sitting down and holding their French horn, in a rehearsal setting.
We understand that auditions are a significant milestone on every conservatoire applicant’s journey. The guidance below will help you prepare to the best of your abilities and make you aware of what will happen at your Royal College of Music audition.

Your experience will depend on your specialism and your chosen audition location. 

Most candidates audition at the RCM in London. We also offer auditions at a number of venues overseas. The audition process differs between venues. If you are unable to attend in person, you have the option to audition by video. You are advised to read the information below carefully.

Principal studies

Every student undertakes principal study in their main specialism, which lies at the heart of their RCM experience. You can audition for the following principal studies. Please note that research degrees have their own set of requirements.

Expand the options below to find out the audition requirements for each principal study. 

Horn audition requirements

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate

Applicants should prepare all of the following:

  • Alan Abbott Alla Caccia
  • A contrasting piece of your own choice, we encourage you to explore a diverse range of composers for this piece

What to expect at audition

Trumpet audition requirements

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate

Applicants should prepare all of the following:

  • J Haydn Trumpet Concerto (first movement), preferably on B flat trumpet (cadenza optional)
  • A contrasting piece of your own choice, we encourage you to explore a diverse range of composers for this piece

What to expect at audition

Tenor trombone audition requirements

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate

Applicants should prepare all of the following:

  • Saint-Saëns Cavatine
  • A contrasting piece of your own choice, we encourage you to explore a diverse range of composers for this piece

What to expect at audition

Bass trombone audition requirements

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate

Applicants should prepare all of the following:

  • Lebedev Concerto in One Movement
  • A contrasting piece of your own choice, we encourage you to explore a diverse range of composers for this piece

What to expect at audition

Tuba audition requirements

Undergraduate & taught postgraduate

Applicants should prepare all of the following:

  • Vaughan Williams Tuba concerto (first movement)
  • A contrasting piece of your own choice, we encourage you to explore a diverse range of composers for this piece

What to expect at audition

Related studies

Related study allows instrumentalists to receive tuition on an instrument closely associated with their principal study. Students can take one of our principal options as their related study, as long as a clear relationship exists. For example, a tenor trombonist can choose bass trombone.

The following instruments are also available as related study options:

  • Jazz trumpet
  • Lead trumpet
  • Jazz trombone
  • Lead trombone

Related studies are approved by the relevant Head of Faculty once a student has started their course. No audition is required and you do not need to let us know about your interest in related study before you arrive at the RCM.

Historical brass

It is possible to undertake studies in the following specialisms through our Historical Performance Faculty:

  • Natural horn
  • Natural trumpet and cornett (as related study only)
  • Sackbuts

Visit Historical Performance

Second study

Most undergraduates on the BMus course and postgraduates studying for MPerf, MComp, MMus(Perf) or MMus(Comp) have the option of undertaking a second study specialism. Second study allows students to receive tuition in a second specialism, taught and assessed at a lower intensity than their principal study, in an area that does not qualify for related study.

Second study specialisms are subject to successful audition and the agreement of the relevant Head of Faculty. Auditions take place during the first few weeks of the course, and students will have the opportunity to register for these auditions shortly before the start of the academic year. There is no need to inform the RCM at the point of application.

What to expect at audition

What to bring

In most cases you only need to bring your instrument and music for you and your accompanist. Please remember to bring anything you need for your instrument (eg mutes).

What not to bring

You cannot bring a page-turner, your teacher or a translator into your audition. The only people in your audition room will be you, your accompanist and the audition panel. As our courses are taught in English we expect you to be able to communicate in English at your audition.

Brass auditions in London

The time shown on UCAS Conservatoires is your audition time. You should plan to arrive at the RCM at least 30 minutes before this, to allow time to check in and warm up. We advise allowing plenty of extra time for travelling into or across London.

If you are caught in an unavoidable delay, please telephone the Admissions team on +44 (0)20 7591 4362 immediately so that, wherever possible, alternative arrangements can be made.

When you arrive at the RCM, you should find out from the steward in the entrance hall where your audition will take place.

Brass auditions in London last approximately 20 minutes. Candidates will be directed by the panel to perform their audition pieces or particular extracts. We cannot say in advance which extracts you might be asked to perform, so you should prepare all of the materials in full. You will also be required to take a sight-reading test and there will be a short interview. 

Typical questions asked may include:

  • Why do you want to study at the RCM?
  • What are your musical interests?
  • What do you think you need most to do to improve your playing?

In some cases you may also be asked to perform scales, arpeggios or other technical exercises.

You will have 20 minutes of warm-up time with your accompanist. We are not able to provide practice rooms for you to use before this.

You are welcome to bring your own accompanist to your audition. The RCM can provide an accompanist for you on the day of your audition, but not beforehand.If you require an RCM accompanist you do not need to tell us in advance.

You do not need to tell us what you are performing in your audition and please do not send copies of the music in advance.

Brass auditions overseas

Overseas auditions for 2025 entry

We are planning on holding auditions for most principal studies at some of our overseas locations. Please check our Choosing where to audition page for updates.

Choosing Where To Audition

Audition by video

Applicants who cannot travel may submit a video audition instead. This option is open to all Principal Study specialisms, except Conducting, for which we will hold final round auditions live in London in Spring 2025. Candidates auditioning by video will automatically be considered for scholarship.

The deadline to submit applications for video auditions is 2 October 2024. Videos must be submitted by 28 October 2024. 

More information about auditioning by video

Scholarships

Every student who applies for a place on one of the RCM's performance or composition courses commencing in 2025 will be considered for a scholarship, whether you have applied by video or attended an audition or interview in person.

There is no separate application process.

Eligibility for scholarships is based on merit, which is determined by performance at audition (or by submission of video) or the strength of portfolio and interview for composers.

If you are offered a scholarship or study award you will receive a letter, normally sent by email, confirming this and the conditions of your award.

In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be offered a scholarship on the day of their audition.

After your audition

You will be informed of the result of your audition as soon as possible. The RCM cannot enter into correspondence over the results of auditions. 

Find out more

Audition queries

Please double-check that you are available at the time and date of your audition. If there are any special circumstances the RCM needs to be aware of before your audition, please let us know in advance.

Find out more

If you have any questions about auditions or the application process please contact our Admissions team.

Admissions

Admissions and general audition enquiries

+44 (0)20 7591 4362

admissions@rcm.ac.uk

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