ADMISSIONs
Admission as an Instrumentalist
Entry to St Mary’s Music School is the same for all years and age groups, for both UK-based candidates and international candidates, and is based on musical ability and potential.
We accept pupils from Primary 5 (age 9 to 10) through to the Senior 6 and Senior 6 Extension Year (age 18) and new pupils may enter the School in all years although, for international pupils, the usual points of entry are Senior 1, 2 or 3 (Years 8, 9 or 10); Senior 5 (Year 12) for two or three years and Senior 6 (Year 13) for two years. Both boarding and day places are available, although boarding places are only open to young people aged 12 and above. You can find out all about boarding at St Mary’s Music School in School & Academic Life.
Our pupils study a full range of orchestral instruments along with organ, clarsach, accordion, recorder and bagpipes, and can also undertake composition as a first-study, but we are happy to accept applications for any instrument. When you apply, you should propose two instruments (or composition or voice) for your first and second study - any instrument will be considered! For instance, a first- and second-study might be trombone and composition or piano and flute. If you wish to audition on more than one instrument, then one should be a harmony instrument – ie. not composition or percussion.
The application process
Stage 1 | Application enquiry (digital)Provide us with a video recording of you performing one piece on each instrument that you’re studying. This piece should be chosen by you and your teacher and should be of performance standard – practice recordings will not be considered. Submit your recording via the Stage 1 Enquiry Form on an unlisted YouTube channel. For applicants looking to study Composition as their first-study, please contact us via Email for application criteria. Our Headteacher and Director of Music will let you know by email within 10 days whether they recommend you for audition. Even if not successful, you can still decide to apply again in the future. |
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Stage 2 | Advisory audition (preferably in person)
If you’re invited to audition for a place the School, you’ll be asked to submit full application forms which will be sent to you following the successful enquiry stage. You will also be invited to arrange an Advisory Audition, run by the Headteacher and Director of Music. Ideally, we like to meet all candidates in person, however we appreciate that this may not be possible for everyone.
For your Advisory Audition, you’ll need to prepare two short contrasting pieces on your first-study instrument and, if you have a second instrument, then a piece on that too. You’re also welcome to provide any further recordings or information that demonstrates your musical ability, whether that’s a third instrument or a composition. As part of your Advisory Audition, you’ll also take part in an interview and carry out some simple aural tests. Feedback will be given in person to you, with your parents or guardians present and you’ll be advised then and there if a Full Audition would be appropriate.
Stage 3 | Full Audition (in person)
At the Full Audition, the panel will include our Headteacher, Director of Music, Artistic Advisor and a specialist from the faculty related to your proposed first-study instrument. We’ll ask you to perform two contrasting pieces on your first-study instrument and one on your second, if you have one. Part of the audition will be working with an accompanist from the School. There will be a short interview with the panel too and they’ll inform you, by email within a week, as to whether you’ve made it through to the final stage!
Stage 4 | The Two-Day Stay (in person)
We appreciate that the specialist music education we offer is not for everyone so Stage 4 of the application process is a two-way – and two-day! – process, where you’re invited to take part in everyday life at the School. You’ll have two assessed lessons on your first-study instrument, an assessed lesson on your second-study instrument (if you have one), and as you’ll participate in academic lessons too, teachers’ reports from these will also considered. You’ll also have the opportunity to take part in music activities such as our ensembles and choirs. Following your Two-day Stay, the School will let you know (by email, within two days) whether we can offer you a place.
