Audition
You are required to attend an entrance audition of approximately 15 minutes on your intended principal study. Non-pianists are advised to bring along their own accompanist for the audition. If necessary, please contact the Student Admissions
Office for a list of accompanists. The accompanist fee is S$100, for a 45-minute rehearsal and the audition. Applicants are required to make arrangements with the accompanists directly for practice sessions and payment.
The audition consists of the following:
- Performance of two contrasting works of your choice. Pieces selected from popular music repertoire would not be considered for the purposes of this audition.
- Sight-reading
- Aural awareness
- Music theory*
- Short interview with the audition panel about your musical experiences, interests and your ambitions for future studies and career
*The music theory paper (approximately 60 minutes) will test applicants in various areas at a level similar to ABRSM Grade V.
Applicants who present documentary evidence of ABRSM Grade V Music Theory or its equivalent will be exempted from the test. Further information about the requirements of ABRSM Grade V Theory can be found at www.abrsm.org
Composition Portfolio Interview
Composers should submit a portfolio of at least two, but not more than five, contrasting examples of your compositions. Do submit your portfolio one week in advance of your scheduled audition. You may submit your work as written scores,
recordings or a combination of the two.
Please ensure that your written music is clear and legible, and that you include full details, where necessary, of instrumentation, scoring, and performance details. Do not send Sibelius files unless they are accompanied by PDF files of
the same material. Recordings should be in a file format that can be read in VLC or Windows Media Player.
Individual works should be clearly indexed on the accompanying documentation. All recordings should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the piece. Portfolios will be returned to you immediately at the end of the audition
or mailed back to you after the audition period upon request.
Online Audition
Though live auditions are preferred, applicants who are unable to attend a live audition may submit a video recording for their audition. If they pass the video screening round, an interview via Zoom or MS Teams with applicants will be
arranged by the Student Admissions Office. Applicants will be tested on their sight-reading and aural awareness during the interview.
Guidelines for Video Recording:
- The recording should be a clear and accurate representation of your playing. Do not edit the audio/video of your recording
- The camera should be stationary for the performance of each work
- The video should show the performer in full body if possible