** Please read the instructions carefully before submitting your audition.
Thank you for choosing to submit an audition to study Music at Priestley College. We are looking forward to seeing your piece and you joining us in September.
If you are applying to study any of our vocational music courses you are required to complete an online audition and questionnaire. You will need to perform a piece if you intend to study A-Level Music.
If you are applying to study Music Production ONLY you are still required to complete the questionnaire. You are not required to upload a performance, but you can if you want to.
What do I need to play for the audition?
A-Level Music
You should prepare and perform a piece of music at around Grade 5 or above for your chosen instrument. This can be accompanied, unaccompanied or with a backing track if you wish. Aim for around 2 minutes of playing (it’s ok if you don’t play a complete piece – just choose a suitable point to end the piece).
You can play a full piece if you want to but this isn’t a requirement.
You can also audition using the materials supplied for the vocational music courses below if you think that these are appropriate for your instrument (don’t forget it would be more appropriate to select a piece of around grade 5 standard for A level music)
Vocational RSL Music Performance (including double and triple music options)
There is a strict requirement to play the set pieces provided. These popular music pieces are representative of the course content. We need to know that you can learn a prescribed piece using provided resources in a given timeframe.
Drumkit, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboard/Piano/ Vocals*
“All Day and All of the Night” by the Kinks
Trinity Rock and Pop Syllabus Grade 3
Please use only the scores and backing tracks provided to learn this piece. Do not use original recordings of the song or any versions found on youtube unless they are specifically created for the Trinity Grade 3 Syllabus.
*Vocals
If you feel “All Day and All of The Night” is unsuitable for your vocal range or style there is a range of Grade 3 vocals available.
- Adventure of a Lifetime – Coldplay
- Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders
- Don’t Know Why – Norah Jones
- Free Fallin’ – Tom Petty
- Perfect Day – Lou Reed
- Royals – Lorde
- Upside Down – Dianna Ross
- You Know I’m No Good – Amy Winehouse
The playlist is for reference only. The full quality backing tracks and scores are in the folders linked above.
Prepare for your audition
Step 1
Please make sure you are wearing appropriate clothing and are in a workable space.
Step 2
Check your background, don’t have anything in view that you don’t want us to see.
Step 3
Please do not record yourself in your bedroom, use a less personal space.
Step 4
Please make sure you say your name before you begin.
Submit your audition
Press the Submit My Audition button below.
Do not fill out the form until you are ready to upload your audition.
In short..
- PREPARE your audition
- PERFORM and RECORD your audition
- UPLOAD your audition
Good luck and we hope to see you soon.
Deadline for submitting your audition is Monday 22nd April at 9am.
Tips to prepare for your audition
Once you have identified the appropriate pieces for the correct course you can either download the backing tracks or stream online using the links provided.
When you are ready to record your audition you can either film yourself or you can ask a friend or relative to help you film whilst you perform. Here are a few tips:
- Film using a mobile phone or tablet device to make uploading easy.
- If file sizes are too large to upload you can upload to file sharing sites and just share the link with us.
- Try to film in landscape mode.
- The front camera is usually better quality than the selfie camera.
- Make sure we can hear the backing track if you are using one.
- Please try not to film in your bedroom – use a less private space elsewhere in the house.
- Do ask your school teachers or instrumental teachers for help, advice and feedback.
- Film your audition as many times as you like until you are happy with it.
- Remember that we’re not looking for perfection – just potential and willingness to try.
- Print out lyrics or scores if you need to. We don’t expect anyone to memorise pieces.
- Remember that you are performing as part of your audition. Imagine you are performing to an audience. Think about stage presence and body language. We need to see you (and your face in the video).
What happens next?
It may take us a few weeks to watch all of the auditions and get back to you with a response. There are a few possible responses you might receive:
- You have been successful and you will have a place to study on one of our music courses in September, if you are successful in securing the required GCSE grades for your courses.
- We may have a few more questions for you. If this is the case we sometimes ask students to come into college for a face-to-face second audition so that we can have a chat and work out the best course combinations for you. We might ask you to prepare a different piece or we might ask you to perform the same one again. If this is the case we’ll provide all the details in an email. The date we have set for second auditions (only where they are deemed necessary) is Tuesday 7th May.
- You have been unsuccessful. This option is rare. It does still leave you with choices and your offer of a place to study at Priestley is still secure. If you are unsuccessful we will guide you though further interviews to determine the best study programme and next steps.
What if I have questions about the process or I’m not sure what piece to play for my instrument?
If you have a question about the audition process for Music please email Mike Grainger at m.grainger@priestley.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the admissions process please contact admissions@priestley.ac.uk
