Hello,
Wasn't sure if this should go in 'Students' or 'Viva Voice' so have put it in both!
I'd be very grateful for some advice. I'm applying to music college this year to study singing, and although I'm of the standard they say you need to be (I've done my grade 8 and am about to take my DipABRSM), I've only started studying singing recently, after a long, severe illness. Because of this I've never really sung in any competitions or anything, and I feel really in the dark about what the actual level required/standard of competition at the audition will be. I'd be really grateful if anyone has any advice for me, and if there are any recordings of anyone who was accepted to study at music college which were made at their audition standard, I'd be really interested to hear them. I just don't know what to expect!
Thanks very much,
Frances

In my A-level term it was suggested to me (by a former assistant cathedral organist) that I should think about applying as a choral scholar. Obviously that was too late for that Autmn, but I did apply whilst at Durham so I had had about 1 1/2 terms of lessons. That audition consisted of my own choice (Lord God of Abraham, which I think is one some boards Grade 8 and some boards lowest diploma lists at the moment) and some sight reading and scale tests and a bit of an interview.

So we were competing for just one place, which I didn't get, but I didn't think there was anything between me and the person who did get it (except perhaps more experience). However someone else didn't get it either, who I thought did have a better voice, and I believe he is now providing voice teaching at the junionr RNCM.

Where are you thinking of applying? People I know that have gone to different places seem to have been at surprisingly different levels.

I got in by accident. I applied as an oboist, and had the bareface cheeek to ask the HOD if he would hear me sing.

I was told they would rather offer me a place as a singer than an oboist but I was good enough for either.