Auditions and interviews

Instruments: Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard

1. Perform a song

Prepare one song, around three minutes long, to sing or to play on your instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar or keyboard). It can be an original or a cover, performed unaccompanied or to a backing track. If you use a backing track, bring it with you or make sure you can play it from a website such as YouTube. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Present a recorded original song

Bring a recording of an original song. If you perform an original in part 1, choose a different song for this. It can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab, or recorded in a studio. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your music and your interest in the wider music industry. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your wider musical interests and how you see yourself working in the music industry. Topics could include:

• how you created your recorded song and the artists who influence you
• how you share your music and reach an audience
• a music company, brand or campaign that has caught your attention

Instruments: Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard

1. Perform two contrasting songs

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles, each around three minutes long, to sing or to play on your instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar or keyboard). They can be originals or covers, performed unaccompanied or to a backing track. If you use a backing track, bring it with you or make sure you can play it from a website such as YouTube. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your playing or singing and may ask you to show some ideas. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand the depth of your technique and musical knowledge, which is an important part of the BMus. Topics could include:

• genres and styles
• music theory, such as scales, chords and keys
• more advanced techniques on your instrument or voice
• harmonising a melody or adding a harmony part

1. Perform an original song

Prepare an original song to perform live. You can accompany yourself on an instrument or perform to a backing track. If your audition is on campus, guitars and keyboards are available for you to use.

2. Present a recorded song

Bring a recording of a second original song, different from the one you perform. It can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab, or recorded in a studio. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your songwriting. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your creative process and musical knowledge. Topics could include:

• how you wrote your songs, including melody, harmony, lyrics and structure
• the songwriters and artists who influence you
• music theory, such as chords and keys
• how you might develop or rework one of your songs

1. Present two original tracks

Bring two original tracks, each around three minutes long. You should be the lead creative producer/recording engineer, having programmed/recorded and mixed the tracks yourself. Collaboration with others is fine, but be ready to explain your role. Your tracks can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab. They don’t need to be mastered.

2. Discussion

After your tracks, your assessor will talk with you about your production. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your technical knowledge and creative approach to production, which are central to the course. Topics could include:

• how you built your tracks, including sound design, sampling and arrangement
• your mixing choices, such as EQ, compression, effects and stereo placement
• how you might develop, rework or remix one of your tracks

1. Interview

Your interview is a conversation with your assessor about your interest in the music and creative industries. You don’t need to prepare a presentation or bring anything with you. The interview helps us understand your motivation, how you think about the industry and the skills you would bring to the course. Before your interview, it’s worth thinking about:

• why this course appeals to you, and the roles or careers you’d like to explore
• an event, organisation, campaign or business in the music or creative industries that you think has been successful, and why
• how music, events, business and media connect with and support one another
• a project or experience you’re proud of, including times you’ve worked with others
• how you might approach launching a new artist or event

Instruments: Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard

1. Perform a song

Prepare one song, around three minutes long, to sing or to play on your instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar or keyboard). It can be an original or a cover, performed unaccompanied or to a backing track. If you use a backing track, bring it with you or make sure you can play it from a website such as YouTube. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Perform or present an original song

Prepare an original song to either perform live or bring as a recording. If you perform an original in part 1, choose a different song for this. A recording can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab, or recorded in a studio. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your performing and songwriting. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your technique, musical knowledge and approach to writing, which are an important part of the BMus. Topics could include:

• how you wrote your original song, including melody, harmony, lyrics and structure
• techniques on your instrument or voice
• music theory, such as scales, chords and keys

Instruments: Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard

1. Perform an original song

Prepare an original song to sing or to play on your instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar or keyboard). You can perform unaccompanied, accompany yourself, or perform to a backing track. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Present an original track

Bring one original track, around three minutes long. You should be the lead creative producer/recording engineer, having programmed/recorded and mixed the tracks yourself. Collaboration is fine, but be ready to explain your role. Your track can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your song and track, your assessor will talk with you about your performing and production. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your skills as a performer and your creative and technical approach to production. Topics could include:

• how you made your track, including your production and mixing choices
• techniques on your instrument or voice
• music theory, such as scales, chords and keys

1. Perform an original song

Prepare an original song to perform live. You can accompany yourself on an instrument or perform to a backing track. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Present an original track

Bring one original track, around three minutes long. You should be the lead creative producer/recording engineer, having programmed/recorded and mixed the tracks yourself. Collaboration is fine, but be ready to explain your role. Your track can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your song and track, your assessor will talk with you about your songwriting and production. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your creative process as a songwriter and your technical approach to production. Topics could include:

• how you wrote your song, including melody, harmony, lyrics and structure
• how you made your track, including your production and mixing choices
• songwriting and production techniques in music you admire

Instruments: Vocals, Drums, Guitar, Bass, Keyboard

1. Perform two contrasting songs

Prepare two songs in contrasting styles, each around three minutes long, to sing or to play on your instrument (drums, guitar, bass guitar or keyboard). They can be originals or covers, performed unaccompanied or to a backing track. If you use a backing track, bring it with you or make sure you can play it from a website such as YouTube. If your audition is on campus, instruments, amps and microphones will be available for you to use.

2. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your playing or singing and may ask you to show some ideas. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand the depth of your technique and musical knowledge, which is an important part of the course. Topics could include:

• genres and styles
• music theory, such as scales, chords and keys
• more advanced techniques on your instrument or voice
• harmonising a melody or adding a harmony part

1. Perform an original song

Prepare an original song to perform live. You can accompany yourself on an instrument or perform to a backing track. If your audition is on campus, guitars and keyboards are available for you to use.

2. Present a recorded song

Bring a recording of a second original song, different from the one you perform. It can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab, or recorded in a studio. It doesn’t need to be mastered.

3. Discussion

After your songs, your assessor will talk with you about your songwriting. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your creative process and musical knowledge. Topics could include:

• how you wrote your songs, including melody, harmony, lyrics and structure
• the songwriters and artists who influence you
• music theory, such as chords and keys
• how you might develop or rework one of your songs

1. Present two original tracks

Bring two original tracks, each around three minutes long. You should be the lead creative producer/recording engineer, having programmed/recorded and mixed the tracks yourself. Collaboration with others is fine, but be ready to explain your role. Your tracks can be made in a digital audio workstation (DAW) such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio or BandLab. They don’t need to be mastered.

2. Discussion

After your tracks, your assessor will talk with you about your production. You don’t need to prepare anything for this. It helps us understand your technical knowledge and creative approach to production, which are central to the course. Topics could include:

• how you built your tracks, including sound design, sampling and arrangement
• your mixing choices, such as EQ, compression, effects and stereo placement
• how you might develop, rework or remix one of your tracks

Whether you have already applied or are still considering your options, your audition will be arranged once we receive your application.

Booking works as follows:

• UK Undergraduate applicants: We will invite you to book an audition or interview after we receive your UCAS application.
• Postgraduate applicants: Please submit your direct application, and we will then contact you to arrange your audition.
• Higher Education applicants who require a visa and live outside the UK:  Please submit your direct application, and we will contact you to arrange your audition or interview.

Once we have your application form, we will email you a link to our booking platform to choose a time for your audition, interview or portfolio review. Our Admissions Team may additionally contact you via text or WhatsApp with a link to book.

Alternatively, you can ring 01273 840 346, email [email protected] or chat to us on our live chat function to arrange your booking straight away.