Preparing for your audition

The audition process consists of two stages.

Stage 1 - Submission of an audition and a form which provides information on your music experience (applicable to all applicants); and
Stage 2 - Callback interview (by invitation only).

Applicants for the Music Performance (Classical and/or Jazz) and Popular Music programs must submit a video recording. Audio only files are not accepted.

Applicants for the Composition and Music Technology program must submit a folio of works that may include pdf files and/or audio files.

Your audition video/folio submission will be reviewed by our academic staff and you may be invited to attend an interview. Callback interviews are by invitation only.

Read more about dates and details on the audition schedule page.

Audition process requirements

The audition submission video should ideally show the performer’s full body posture while playing.
Undergraduate: Two contrasting works (e.g. style, period, composer), no longer than 15 minutes altogether.
Honours: At least two contrasting works (e.g. style, period, composer), no longer than 20 minutes altogether.
If the chosen work(s) require/s piano accompaniment, it is preferred that the applicant record their video(s) with an accompanist.
For specific questions about repertoire contact the instrument coordinators via the school website page.
The audition submission will be assessed on a range of criteria including:
- Musical expression and/or creativity
- Stylistic accuracy
- Technical facility
- Potential for development
- Passion for music
For applicants invited to complete the in-person Callback interview process, some technical work and/or sight-reading may also be requested. The applicants might be asked to demonstrate some major/minor scales. They might and may also be asked to sight-read a short passage, an equivalent of Grade 7 AMEB sight-reading material.
For the audition submission, applicants are expected to perform with backing tracks or a band. However, one piece may be performed solo.
Undergraduate: Submit recordings of two contrasting works (e.g. style, period, composer), no longer than 10 minutes total duration. Recordings of each work must include improvisation. We suggest each tune be between 3-5 minutes length.
Honours: Submit recordings of three contrasting works (e.g. style, period, composer), no longer than 20 minutes total duration.
The audition submission will be assessed on a range of criteria including:
- Improvisational skills
- Technical expertise
- Tone quality
- Rhythm and time feel
- Knowledge of music form, style and tradition
- Comping (piano/guitar/drums/ bass)
- Musicality
Applicants invited to complete the in-person Callback interview process, are required to have their instruments during the interview as they may be requested to play additional material (this includes improvisation over a common jazz chord progression - supplied in the interview). The interview also consists of a short test that includes a number of music theory and aural questions and covers topics such as key signatures, intervals, scales, chord progressions, etc. The test is designed to indicate the level of knowledge and skill the applicant has at this moment in time.
Undergraduate:
- Two contrasting works (e.g. style, tempo). Each work should not exceed 4 minutes duration. Applicants are encouraged (if applicable) to submit material that demonstrates their songwriting, recording studio performance and production skills.
Honours:
- Three contrasting works (e.g. style, tempo). Each work should not exceed 4 minutes duration. Applicants are encouraged (if applicable) to submit material that demonstrates their songwriting, recording studio performance and production skills.
The audition submission will be assessed on a range of criteria including:
- Technical expertise
- Control of dynamics, tone, rhythm and feel
- Versatility
- Performance and connection to the song/narrative
- Comping (piano/guitar)
- Songwriting and production skills (if applicable)
For applicants invited to complete the in-person Callback interview process, the interview will include a short test that includes a number of music theory and aural questions and covers topics such as key signatures, intervals, scales, chord progressions, etc. The test is designed to indicate the level of knowledge and skill the applicant has at this moment in time. Honours applicants will also be asked to share their research aims.
Your Folio
Your composition folio should include two original, contrasting creative musical works. The two works need not adhere to any specific compositional style or genre, but should demonstrate a creative, exploratory approach to music and ideally demonstrate some familiarity with both Western musical notation and electronic music production. Not everyone is afforded the same opportunity in their music education, so even if you lack experience in one of these areas, we encourage you to demonstrate what you can do. We value creativity, experimentation and potential over previous experience. The total duration of the two submitted works should not exceed 10 minutes.
The contrasting works can be created with music notation software, or by hand, for notated works or a digital audio workstation (Logic, Cubase, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Garage Band or similar) for studio-based works. Prospective students are expected to have some familiarity with traditional notation practice and basic tools of music technology.
Applicants submit either audio recordings (small compressed audio files only, including MP3 or M4A) PDFs of music scores, or a combination of both. PDFs of music scores should be submitted together with a recording of the notated work, either as Audio Export from the notation program or, if possible, as a live recording with human performers.
Do not submit notation program files, such as Sibelius, Finale or MuseScore files. These must be exported as a PDF. Please include your full name within the file name for each file in your folio.
Additional requirement for Honours applicants: Your audition materials should connect with and speak to your Honours proposal, demonstrating a high level of creative skill and experience appropriate to your area of focus.
Interview
For applicants invited to complete the in-person Callback interview process, the purpose of this interview is to get to know you a little and to determine whether the CMT program is suitable for you. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions of us.

Frequently asked questions

Who can I contact for more information about the Audition Preparation Course?
For information about audition preparation courses
- For Popular Music please contact Dr Rod Davies.
- For Music Performance - Jazz please contact Dr Paul Williamson.
Check this page for further information on the following short courses.
- Popular Music Audition Preparation Short Course
  Jazz and Improvisation Audition Preparation Short Course
There is no audition course for Music Performance - Classical.
If you have any questions regarding Music Performance - Classical auditions, ask MoVA, our virtual assistant.
Do I have to be a certain AMEB level?
No. There is no minimum AMEB level and you do not need to have sat any AMEB exams as an audition requirement. As an indication of what level you should be at, our academic staff recommend AMEB level 7. Please note this a guide only, you do not need to have sat the exams.
I am already a level 8 in my instrument. Do I still have to audition?
Yes, every applicant must either submit a video audition (for Music Performance - Classical/Jazz - and Popular Music) or submit a folio (for Composition and Music Technology).

The Sir Zelman Cowen School of Music and Performance

Arts

Preparing for your audition

Audition process requirements

Frequently asked questions

Who can I contact for more information about the Audition Preparation Course?

Do I have to be a certain AMEB level?

I am already a level 8 in my instrument. Do I still have to audition?