Music auditions will take place in the Spring Term.
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
Listen to the full playlist
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 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